Kill Time

An unsolved strangulation from 1995 has present-day ramifications for a young woman named Xiaomai (internationally known model Yeung Wing, aka Angelababy) in Hong Kong director Fruit Chan’s mainland-set mystery-thriller. Her father, the investigating officer of that crime, has recently died when she receives a purple scarf that matches the murder weapon in the mail. This gift of mysterious provenance sets off a chain of memories for Xiaomai involving her childhood, her first romance as a teen, and her boyfriend’s subsequent disappearance. Currently engaged to a successful businessman, she nevertheless feels a pull to investigate who has sent her this scarf and why. As she realizes how much her history is impacting her present situation, the killer comes ever closer. With its multiple time frames and intricate plot, Kill Time reveals tantalizing pieces of information throughout but will keep most viewers guessing right up to its suspenseful climax and denouement.