A Guilty Conscience (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 13m (133 min)
- Director
- Jack Ng Wai-Lun
- Original language
- Cantonese
- Studio
- Edko Films
- Budget
- $22.2M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Jack Ng Wai-Lun
- Dayo Wong as Adrian Lam
- Peter Pang Tai-Hing as Wong Kin-Chai
- Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu as TK Ho
- Louise Wong as Jolene Tsang
Also Starring in A Guilty Conscience
· 28 more- Sherlock Mak Elsa Tsang
- Renci Yeung Evelyn Fong
- DeeGor Ho Prince
- Lee Chun-Wah Chan Hong-Man
- Adam Pak Tin-Nam Desmond Chung
- Alannah Ong Madam Chung
- Fish Liew Victoria Chung
- Tse Kwan-Ho Kam Yuen Shan
- Leo Lo Hoi-Ying Prosecutor
- Michael Wong James Tung
- Bowie Lam Bo-Yee Luk Ting Hang
- Keith Ng Shui-Ting Patrick
- Wong Chi-Wai
- Ronald Yan Mau-Keung
- Woo Pak-Yu Prince's Henchman
- Lee Wong Barrister
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Solomon Chan Kin-Chuen Duty Lawyer
- Joseph Li Pak-Kin ICAC Officer
- Tsang Tsz-Lik Detective
- Michael Lau Barrister
- Sheldon Lo Ben
- To Wang-Kit Brother Bo's Henchman
- Jeremy Wong Chun-Ho Wilson
- Lam Tze Yuen Kwok Gwok Keung
- Ranson Ma Dr. Choi
- Derek Chung Man-Ho Brother Bo's Henchman
- Derrick Kam Wing-Kai Staff of TK Ho
- Tsui Hoi-Chung Mr. Leung's Clerk
A Guilty Conscience Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (52).
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.
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$14.9M
67% of its budget back
- International
- $14.9M
- Budget
- $22.2M
A Guilty Conscience Trailers & Videos
The trailer of A Guilty Conscience.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the former barrister-turned-magistrate who leads the defense of Jolene Tsang?
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?
Movies Like A Guilty Conscience
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Guilty Conscience, Guilty Minds and Guilty Hands.
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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