2.5/5 stars
Can a pastor forgive the young man who raped his daughter and indirectly caused her death? That is the premise of Valley of the Shadow of Death, a bold yet deeply flawed attempt to rethink Christianityโs advocacy of unconditional kindness.
Itโs a morality tale that proves more interesting on paper than it is in its execution.
Three years after his teenage daughter Ching (Sheena Chan Shu-yan) killed herself in the aftermath of the traumatic incident, Leung (Anthony Wong Chau-sang) continues to put on a brave face as his churchโs shining light, even if his wife (Louisa So Yuk-wa), a hospital nurse who remains unnamed, has lost her faith.
The pastorโs strong will to move on is tested when his daughterโs rapist, Lok (George Au Chun-ho), is released from prison and, by chance, is given shelter at his church.
Should the still grieving father take the opportunity to avenge Ching? Or can he practise forgiveness as he has been ordained to do?