Watching Bela Lugosi in El Misterioso Mr. Wong

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you have a massive soft spot for old black-and-white mysteries where the plot is thinner than a piece of tissue paper. If you’re here for Bela Lugosi doing his thing, you’ll be happy. If you’re here for a coherent story, you’re in the wrong place.

The whole thing feels like a stage play that someone accidentally filmed. Everything happens in like two rooms. There’s a lot of standing around and talking in hallways, which gives it this weird, claustrophobic vibe that I didn't hate.

The Lugosi factor

Bela is, as always, completely mesmerizing even when the material is absolute garbage. He’s just sitting there, being mysterious, looking like he’s got a secret in every pocket of that robe. He elevates the movie just by existing in the frame.

It’s funny how he carries the weight of the film while the rest of the cast is running around like they’re in a high school production. The guy playing the reporter is trying so hard to be the 'wise-cracking lead,' but he just comes off as loud.

Odd little things

• The lighting is mostly just 'bright' and then 'darker,' with zero middle ground.
• There’s a scene where someone walks through a door and I swear the wall shakes.
• The pacing is frantic, then it just stops dead for five minutes of exposition.

It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in House of Danger, but without the actual suspense. It’s more of a 'who cares who did it' than a 'whodunit.'

I found myself staring at the background furniture more than the actors at one point. There’s a vase in the corner that looks like it’s about to fall over for the entire second act. It never does. It’s the most suspenseful part of the movie.

Ultimately, it’s a tiny, dusty movie. It’s not trying to be high art, and it barely manages to be a mystery. But for an hour? It’s fine. It’s just a weird little blip in cinema history that probably should have stayed in the vault. 🕵️‍♂️