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Mystery comedy

A Guilty Conscience (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Guilty Conscience (2023) movie poster

A Guilty Conscience is a 2023 mystery comedy directed by Jack Ng Wai-Lun, starring Dayo Wong as Adrian Lam, Peter Pang Tai-Hing and Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu. It runs 2 hours 13 minutes and earned $14.9 million worldwide on a $22.2 million budget. Its Echo Score is 75/100.

worldwide gross
$14.9M
Echo Score
75
budget
$22.2M
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A Guilty Conscience (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 13m (133 min)
Director
Jack Ng Wai-Lun
Genres
Mystery , Crime , Comedy
Original language
Cantonese
Budget
$22.2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Guilty Conscience About?

The premise of A Guilty Conscience without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After his negligence causes an innocent woman to go to jail, a lawyer and his colleagues work to clear her name.

A Guilty Conscience Themes & Keywords

· 20 tags
  • courtroom
  • lawyer
  • justice
  • trial
  • community
  • joke
  • criminal
  • case
  • investigation
  • life
  • hong kong cinema
  • woman
+8 more
  • haw par mansion hong kong
  • legal drama
  • fanling hong kong
  • tai hang hong kong
  • sham shui po hong kong
  • victoria peak hong kong
  • male lawyer
  • female lawyer
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Cast & crew

A Guilty Conscience Cast & Characters

Dayo Wong leads the cast as Adrian Lam, with Peter Pang Tai-Hing as Wong Kin-Chai and Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu as TK Ho. Directed by Jack Ng Wai-Lun; 32 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Guilty Conscience

· 28 more
Show all 32 cast members
Ratings

A Guilty Conscience Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (52).

75 /100

A Guilty Conscience Echo Score Breakdown

A Guilty Conscience delivers a compelling legal drama anchored by strong performances and a resonant social message, though its execution is uneven. Reviewers commend Dayo Wong’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s energetic courtroom sequences, while criticizing implausible plot points and occasional technical flaws such as loud mixing. The blend of thriller and family drama sustains interest for most viewers. Consequently, the movie offers an engaging experience that rewards repeated viewings despite its imperfections.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and production, the film shows moments of competence but lacks consistency. Some reviewers note a television‑like photographic style and a pacing that feels stretched, while others appreciate the brisk editing that prevents the runtime from feeling onerous. Audio mixing, however, is frequently described as overly loud and intrusive, detracting from the visual work.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    Characterization stands out as the film’s strongest component, with Dayo Wong delivering a nuanced, restrained performance that anchors the narrative. Supporting actors receive mixed feedback; some are praised for their depth and chemistry, while others are deemed unremarkable. Overall, the ensemble succeeds in conveying emotional stakes, creating a resonant connection with the audience despite occasional flatness.

  • Story & Flow 78

    The storyline ambitiously tackles legal injustice and personal redemption, intertwining courtroom thrills with family drama. Critics commend its gripping moments, political relevance, and emotional turning points, yet many note implausible twists and predictable subplots that undermine credibility. While the narrative sustains engagement through its thematic weight, the uneven pacing and occasional melodrama prevent it from achieving full narrative cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 52

    Sensory elements receive a mixed appraisal; visual composition is described as serviceable but occasionally dated, resembling television rather than cinematic scope. Sound design is a recurring criticism, with loud dialogue and overpowering music reported to distract from dialogue clarity. Aside from these issues, the film’s occasional atmospheric touches contribute modestly to its overall mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    Rewatch potential is high, with many viewers citing the film’s energetic courtroom sequences and resonant moral themes as reasons to return. The brisk pacing and satisfying climax sustain interest on subsequent viewings, while the social commentary adds lasting relevance. Although some find the length taxing, the overall entertainment value encourages repeat engagement.

Plot

A Guilty Conscience Plot Summary

What happens in A Guilty Conscience from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2002, Adrian Lam, Dayo Wong, a former barrister-turned-magistrate recently demoted by his superiors for his attitude, returns to private practice at the suggestion of his friend, senior barrister T. K. Ho, Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu. Lam lands his first case through Ho: a child abuse matter in which Jolene Tsang, Louise Wong, a former model and single mother, is accused of assaulting her daughter Elsa, who lies in a coma. Lam takes on Tsang’s defense in partnership with fellow barrister Evelyn Fong, Renci Yeung, at Ho’s urging and with the involvement of Prince, DeeGor Ho, a trusted legal executive.

Full summary

The whole story of A Guilty Conscience, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Guilty Conscience Box Office & Budget

A Guilty Conscience grossed $14.9 million worldwide on a $22.2 million budget, 67% of what it cost.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.9M

67% of its budget back

International
$14.9M
Budget
$22.2M
Videos

A Guilty Conscience Trailers & Videos

The trailer of A Guilty Conscience.

A Guilty Conscience Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Guilty Conscience?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the former barrister-turned-magistrate who leads the defense of Jolene Tsang?

Details

A Guilty Conscience Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “The Barrister” and “毒舌律师”.

Also known as
  • The Barrister
  • 毒舌律师
  • 毒舌大状
  • Una conciencia culpable
  • Ложный приговор
  • 毒舌弁護人 正義への戦い
  • Độc Mồm Đại Trạng

Seen A Guilty Conscience?

FAQ

A Guilty Conscience FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of A Guilty Conscience, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Guilty Conscience?

A Guilty Conscience runs 2 hours 13 minutes (133 minutes).

When was A Guilty Conscience released?

A Guilty Conscience was released on January 6, 2023.

Who directed A Guilty Conscience?

A Guilty Conscience was directed by Jack Ng Wai-Lun.

More films by Jack Ng Wai-Lun

Who is in the cast of A Guilty Conscience?

A Guilty Conscience stars Dayo Wong as Adrian Lam, Peter Pang Tai-Hing as Wong Kin-Chai and Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu as TK Ho, among 32 credited actors.

How much did A Guilty Conscience make at the box office?

A Guilty Conscience grossed $14.9 million worldwide on a budget of $22.2 million.

Does A Guilty Conscience have a post-credit scene?

No. A Guilty Conscience has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is A Guilty Conscience in?

The original language of A Guilty Conscience is Cantonese.

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