Ex 前度 (2010): The Movie Where Gillian Chung Played a "Bitchy Ex" and Made Every Viewer Say, "Oh, I've Been That Person Too"
First, take a look at the movie trailer.
It was the closing film of the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival, and it marked the true comeback of a once-polarizing star. With a modest HK$3.3 million box office, the film went on to resonate deeply with audiences across Hong Kong and the Chinese-speaking world.
The premise is deceptively simple. After a breakup with her current boyfriend, the impulsive protagonist is taken in by her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend for just two days. As she wanders through this new yet strangely familiar home, she is flooded with memories of her past relationships.
How Love Lingers
The real magic of Ex lies in its fragmented, non-linear storytelling. Each object that triggers a memory unravels a different love story in her past: the one who nursed her through heartbreak, the restless wanderer, and the passionate one with a wild streak. Director Heiward Mak, adapting her own novel, uses these flashbacks to create a collage of love, pain, and growth that feels more like a feeling than a plot.
The script is a moving portrait of how we carry our past. It asks: can you ever truly close the door on a love that has shaped you? The film suggests no—not because you still have feelings, but because those experiences have become a part of who you are. As the tagline poignantly states, everyone we have loved is part of our lives.
A Role That Let Gillian Chung Show Her Depth
Ex is widely considered Gillian Chung's best performance as a serious actress. Released after a difficult period in her personal life, the role of the restless, emotionally complex protagonist allowed her to channel her own resilience into a character many viewers found deeply relatable.
Why It's a Cult Classic
From its stylized, hand-held camera work to its evocative soundtrack, Ex captures the zeitgeist of urban Hong Kong youth culture. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 47th Golden Horse Awards. But the film is also well-known for its raw and unglamorous depiction of love—a story told through messy fights, awkward silences, and complicated feelings that don't just disappear.
For anyone who believes in the power of the ex, Ex is an emotionally sharp and stylish exploration of what it means to love, lose, and move on.
Have you seen Ex? Which flashback did you find the most relatable? Let me know in the comments.
Tom De · The Movie Prince 🎬
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