The
Guardian (Original title: Thiên than ho menh) | 2021 | 2h 7m
Genre:
Crime / Drama / Horror / Music / Mystery / Thriller | Country: Vietnam
Director:
Victor Vu | Writers: Bong Bot Binh, Thi Nga, Kay Nguyen
Cast:
Amee, Samuel An, Trúc Anh
IMDb:
5.6
My
Rate: 7/10
The Guardian tells the story of Mai Ly, the former backing vocalist of Phuong—a famous singer who died by suicide. After Phuong’s death, Mai Ly slowly steps into the world of fame, which turns out to be full of risks, especially because of a dark secret she keeps and her connection to the star’s death.
Warning:
Scenes of violence, strong language, sexual violence, sensual content, suicide, alcohol, and drugs.
Synopsis:
Shocking news comes from Phuong, a famous singer who was once caught in a scandal involving an indecent video and was later found dead by suicide. Her death leaves deep grief for her family, and especially for Mai Ly—the backing singer who was closest to her. Behind her sorrow, Ly carries a secret that slowly ties her to the scandal that destroyed Phuong.
Six months later, Ly reunites with Khan, Phuong’s ex-lover and producer. An unexpected offer comes her way: no longer standing behind the stage, but stepping into the spotlight as the main singer. That opportunity feels even more real when Ly receives a guardian doll, Kumanthong, from Tam—a woman she meets at a singing contest. The doll reminds her of Phuong’s, which was believed to have helped the singer reach the peak of her fame.
But success never comes without a price. Phuong’s shadow begins to haunt her, appearing in disturbances she cannot escape. The past comes chasing back when the people behind Phuong’s scandal start threatening to do the same to her. Trapped by fear and pressure, Ly no longer just wants fame. She asks Kumanthong to protect her—without fully understanding the cost she has to pay.
Will Ly be able to hold on to her success, or will she be trapped by a price she never calculated?
Review:
Success is not something that comes easily. It demands hard work and luck. But what if all of that could be given by a doll—as if it held power beyond God Himself? Is an opportunity like that worth taking?
The Guardian tries to represent the dark side of human ambition and obsession through a horror story infused with legend. What it offers isn’t just fear, but also moral questions about humanity. The story ends with an awakening twist, as if forcing both the characters and the audience to look back at the choices they’ve made.
The story opens with a strongly built scene. Phuong’s death is presented in a calm atmosphere, yet filled with sorrow. From this point, the guardian doll is introduced—an important element that later becomes the center of the conflict and a symbol of ambition in the story.
Slowly but surely, the conflict begins to take shape. The pressure doesn’t only come from external disturbances or shadows of the past, but also from Ly’s inner conflict. Ambition, obsession, and guilt intertwine, until the prayers she offers slowly change her without her realizing it.
The story ends with a twist that is quite surprising. The audience is brought back to logic and reality, as if gaining the same awareness as the main character. Unfortunately, the final five minutes that focus on Huyen’s story cause the climax to lose its emotional strength. That part feels more like a forced moral conclusion rather than a reinforcing ending.
Some small technical issues are also noticeable, especially in terms of continuity. One example is the difference in Ly’s outfit when she visits her father and when she leaves, which makes the timeline feel slightly confusing.
Another oddity appears in Huyen’s dialogue, which mentions that Phuong’s death happened only six months ago. This contradicts the earlier “six months later” time jump shown when Khan reunites with Ly, along with the many events that happen afterward. This inconsistency makes the story’s timeline feel less convincing.
A bit of spoiler. An awkward moment also appears in the Instagram Live scene that uses a camera placed on the doll’s head. Conceptually, the idea is interesting, but logically it feels weak. The camera’s function as a surveillance tool isn’t explained clearly enough, making the idea feel underdeveloped.
In terms of concept, turning a legend into psychological horror is a fairly unique approach. While the execution still leaves room for deeper exploration, the actors deliver convincing performances, supported by props and an atmosphere that fits the dark world the film wants to build.
In the end, The Guardian works as a horror story that doesn’t rely solely on terror, but also questions human choices and ambition. Despite some gaps in execution and logic, the core idea remains strong and relevant. The film may not be perfectly polished, but it succeeds in leaving a lingering unease—about desire, the price that must be paid, and the thin line between hope and destruction.
Memorable Scene:
One of the most memorable scenes in The Guardian happens when Ly intends to return the doll that has helped her fulfill her desires. Tam calls Ly’s attitude a form of selfishness—a human habit of thinking that everything can be owned and discarded without consequences.
This scene reveals the dark side of humanity that often views relationships in a transactional way. Not only toward objects, but also toward other people. The Guardian sharply shows how the desire to possess can turn into exploitation, and eventually leave wounds when someone is no longer considered “useful.” The film reminds us that relationships—like desires—always demand responsibility, not just results.
Memorable
Dialogue:
“Now I know there’s no such thing as a guardian angel.”
Ending:
Twist Ending
Recommendation:
Worth to Watch
(Aluna)
 – What Happens When Hope Is Guarded by the Wrong Thing?){kind=link}
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