A tense, multilayered debut feature from Singaporean director Nelicia Low places the audience in a state of constant uncertainty.

Drawing from her own experiences, writer and director Nelicia Low centres Pierce on the story of a high school fencer Zijie (Liu Hsiu-Fu) who reconnects with his older brother, Zihan (Tsao Yu-Ning), after his release from juvenile prison.

Zijie believes that a strong brotherly bond exists between the two. He seeks out of his older brother who provides him with advice for both his fencing and love life. Unlike Zijie, their mother Ai Ling (Ding Ning), a widowed night club singer, wishes for Zihan to remain out of both her and her youngest son’s life. She actively dissuades the naive and well-intentioned Zijie from maintaining contact with his older brother.

Drawing on her own experiences of growing up with an autistic brother, director Low said the film’s brotherly dynamic was inspired by the idea of a younger sibling idolising their older counterpart unconditionally, without understanding that their love might not be reciprocated. As sinister truths are revealed through the unfolding of events and conversations, Zijie in Pierce also begins to question the authenticity of the unconditional love he holds for his brother.

The audience has to constantly re-evaluate what characters are saying throughout them film – asking themselves whether or not they are telling the truth or lies – much like watching a fencing bout.

As with fencing, acts of deception and subtle shifts in body language are key to the drama and suspense of the film, with character dynamics flipping on their head as more and more revelations are made.

The suspense couldn’t have been possible without the outstanding performances from all three leads. Special praise must be given to Tsao Yu-Ningin the role of Zihan, who is simultaneously warm and inviting yet disturbingly sociopathic.

Cinematically, the Polish cinematographer Michal Dymek endows Pierce with powerful imagery, shots that are rich with vibrant colours or a soft focus to highlight the mood.

In a global market of Hollywood remakes and franchises, Pierce feels like a breath of fresh air coming from a new female voice.

As a Singaporean, Taiwanese and Polish co-production, the film also feels unique – a melting pot of global cinema identities.  Low crafts a carefully built story that feels deeply authentic and personal. This film is both endearing and horrifying – a fantastic watch.

Pierce screens again Fri November 1 at 8.30pm at The Piccadilly Cinema.

This review was provided by the “2024 Emerging Screen Critics Program” – a Screen Studies collaboration between the Adelaide Film Festival and UniSA Creative, with the participation of students and mentors from the University of South Australia, the University of Adelaide and Flinders University. Supported by CityMag.