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Secrets in the Hot Springs looked like it might be a funny spooky ghost tale set around a family hotel. Looks can be deceiving. While it might be humorous depending on your funny bone, it turned out to be more of a story of healing and friendship.
Hsiao Chin/Xiao Gin/Xiao Jin is on his third high school in five years. His parents died when he was nine and he’s lived with an aunt and uncle on and off since. At his new school he inadvertently saves two boys from being bullied and they latch on to him for dear life. When he’s called home due to his grandfather being ill, Little Princess and Lu Qun follow him to his family’s hotel. Unlike the website’s pictures of a luxurious spa, the hotel is run down and his grandparents nickel and dime guests at every turn. The trio end up bonding as they encounter spooky apparitions. In the face of their fears, Hsiao Chin will have to decide whether he is going to continue in the family business or not.
I am a fraidy cat when it comes to spooky stories and this was about as tame as a “ghost” story can get. The main thrust of this film was Hsiao Chin’s healing and coming to terms with his parents’ deaths and also developing friendships with an unusual duo. I found some scenes humorous, but admit this film wasn’t exactly my cup of silly tea. Everyone’s sense of humor is different and I’m quite sure others will find it more to their liking. My biggest complaint was that not much happened for the first 40 minutes of the film and the direction of the film was highly foreshadowed. The friendships were cute if overly stereotyped and everyone was able to grow and have problems resolved in a playful manner. Not likely a film for horror fans, but perhaps more for comedy friendship fans.
13 October 2025
Hsiao Chin/Xiao Gin/Xiao Jin is on his third high school in five years. His parents died when he was nine and he’s lived with an aunt and uncle on and off since. At his new school he inadvertently saves two boys from being bullied and they latch on to him for dear life. When he’s called home due to his grandfather being ill, Little Princess and Lu Qun follow him to his family’s hotel. Unlike the website’s pictures of a luxurious spa, the hotel is run down and his grandparents nickel and dime guests at every turn. The trio end up bonding as they encounter spooky apparitions. In the face of their fears, Hsiao Chin will have to decide whether he is going to continue in the family business or not.
I am a fraidy cat when it comes to spooky stories and this was about as tame as a “ghost” story can get. The main thrust of this film was Hsiao Chin’s healing and coming to terms with his parents’ deaths and also developing friendships with an unusual duo. I found some scenes humorous, but admit this film wasn’t exactly my cup of silly tea. Everyone’s sense of humor is different and I’m quite sure others will find it more to their liking. My biggest complaint was that not much happened for the first 40 minutes of the film and the direction of the film was highly foreshadowed. The friendships were cute if overly stereotyped and everyone was able to grow and have problems resolved in a playful manner. Not likely a film for horror fans, but perhaps more for comedy friendship fans.
13 October 2025
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