Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha

Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha is a 2024 American neo-noir Mystery Thriller film directed by Crystal J. Huang and Nicholas Ryan, it is set against the backdrop of both traditional Japanese geisha culture and modern ballroom dance.^[1][2][3]

Kate Lin (Crystal J. Huang) is a quiet, enigmatic photographer with a passion for amateur ballroom dancing. But behind her poised beauty lies a chilling mystery: her dance partners keep disappearing—tragically and without explanation. Suicides, accidents, unexplained vanishings—those who enter her arms never seem to leave. Detective Remy (Gilles Marini) is married to Amelia (Karina Smirnoff), the glamorous owner of a downtown San Francisco dance studio. When yet another man close to Kate dies under suspicious circumstances, Remy quietly launches his own off-the-books investigation. He convinces Amelia that his interest in Kate is purely professional. To get close, Remy becomes Kate’s next dance partner. As the two rehearse under dim lights and pulsing tango rhythms, Remy finds himself drawn into Kate’s hypnotic presence. Their chemistry is undeniable. Amelia, once supportive, begins to suspect that Remy’s interest is far more than investigative. Jealousy and fear creep in—and she desperately tries to pull him back from the edge. But it’s too late. As Remy digs deeper into Kate’s past, all trails vanish. She is a ghost with no traceable history… until cryptic flashbacks reveal her shocking origin: Kate was initiated into a secret Japanese society operated by Kensei (Michael Madsen) descended from geisha assassins and samurai codes. Trained in beauty, silence, and death, she is the modern vessel of an ancient, haunting power. In one unforgettable and terrifying scene, Kate demonstrates her lethal prowess—cracking a walnut using an intimate part of her body—symbolizing her terrifying control and the extremity of her training. The act offers a glimpse into her unnatural abilities and the source of her dark allure. As Remy spirals, Amelia takes his place—becoming Kate’s next dance partner. But she, too, finds herself seduced. Pulled into Kate’s world, Amelia begins to unravel. Even as she fights it, she starts chasing the very woman she once feared. Because Kate is not just dangerous. She is Unchaseable. A dark, ancient force that both owns and is owned by her begins to rise—an uncontrollable entity that weaves death and desire into every step of the dance. As it spirals out of control, all boundaries between predator and victim collapse. In the film’s climax, the entire underworld clan is wiped out—and the fate of Kate remains a mystery.^[4][5][6]

• Gilles Marini as Detective Remy
• Crystal J. Huang as Kate
• Karina Smirnoff as Amelia 
• Michael Madsen as Kensei

The film was produced by Unchaseable LLC, in association with Lankis Entertainment and Ivy Images.^[7] Principal photography took place in San Francisco and Los Angeles.^[1] The film was released in limited theaters across the United States starting on August 2, 2024, followed by a digital release.^[8][9]

The film received mixed reviews.^[7][4] It has an 89% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.^[10] The Film grossed approximately $38,254 in its limited theatrical release.^[3][11]

The Film received Best Asian Film at Chandler International Film Festival 2024,^[12] Best Actress - Crystal J. Huang, Best Supporting Actor Michael Madsen, and Best Trailer at Hollywood Reel Independent Film festival 2024,^[13] The film was also listed among The 2024 ReFrame Film Stamp Recipients.^[14][15]

• Official website
• Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha at IMDb
• Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha at Rotten Tomatoes