Expect the Unexpected (非常突然). 1998. Hong Kong. Directed by Patrick Yau. Produced by Johnnie To, Wai Ka-fai. With Simon Yam, Lau Ching-wan, Ruby Wong, Yoyo Mung. Digital. Courtesy iQIYI. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 87 min.
This subversive entry in Hong Kong’s crime genre bears the unmistakable imprint of Johnnie To, who took over direction from Patrick Yau early in production (though he’s only credited as one of the film’s producers). Two criminal gangs—one bumbling, one ruthlessly efficient—set a complex plot in motion, challenging a team of detectives led by the methodical Sam (Simon Yam). To’s signature style emerges in the film’s meticulous pacing and unexpected tonal shifts, culminating in a shocking finale that upends genre conventions. Expect the Unexpected showcases To’s fascination with the interplay between chance and design, weaving a tapestry of parallel storylines and character doublings. This pivotal work in the Milkyway Image canon exemplifies To’s ability to balance commercial appeal with artistic innovation, offering a cerebral twist on the policier that resonates with Hong Kong’s handover anxieties.