Review | Valley of the Shadow of Death movie review: Anthony Wong plays a Christian pastor in doubt

Young man who raped pastor’s daughter, leading to her death, ends up at his church. Will he avenge her or forgive him? Film ducks the issue

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Anthony Wong Chau-sang in a still from Valley of the Shadow of Death (category IIB; Cantonese), directed by Jeffrey Lam, Antonio Tam. George Au and Louisa So co-star. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:45pm, 4 Jun 2025

2.5/5 stars

Can a pastor forgive the young man who raped his daughter and indirectly caused her death? That is the premise of Valley of the Shadow of Death, a bold yet deeply flawed attempt to rethink Christianity’s advocacy of unconditional kindness.

It’s a morality tale that proves more interesting on paper than it is in its execution.

Three years after his teenage daughter Ching (Sheena Chan Shu-yan) killed herself in the aftermath of the traumatic incident, Leung (Anthony Wong Chau-sang) continues to put on a brave face as his church’s shining light, even if his wife (Louisa So Yuk-wa), a hospital nurse who remains unnamed, has lost her faith.

The pastor’s strong will to move on is tested when his daughter’s rapist, Lok (George Au Chun-ho), is released from prison and, by chance, is given shelter at his church.

Should the still grieving father take the opportunity to avenge Ching? Or can he practise forgiveness as he has been ordained to do?

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.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Young man who raped pastor’s daughter, leading to her death, ends up at his church. Will he avenge her or forgive him? Film ducks the issue

Young man who raped pastor’s daughter, leading to her death, ends up at his church. Will he avenge her or forgive him? Film ducks the issue