Following her iconic slow-burn style, Ivy Ho turns out this script that depicts subtle emotions that can (and often does) evolve between a man and a woman in an office environment. In her first time helming from the director's chair, she spins the tale with a consistent touch of subtlety and details.
The "stepped, backward" narration style should be employed for a reason, not just to be showy. With "Irreversible" (2002), it's to accentuate the concept of "time destroys everything" – the brutal events are entirely random but their devastating effect is particularly painfully felt as we move back to the gentle, almost idyllic opening. With "5x2" (2004), it's to depict cause and effect, backwards – the audience is shown the result first, before the cause is gradually revealed. "Claustrophobia" belongs to the latter.
While there is equal billing for lead actor and actress, this is really Karena Lam's show. Ekin Cheng's performance is important though, for the story to be convincing. As the boss Tom, he has to project the charm and attraction that his able assistant Pearl falls for. Cheng gets the job done. The ensemble support cast consists of five people each of whom has a specific role to play in the story. Again, there is solid performance.
The movie ultimately stands or falls on the performance of Karena Lam, in portraying a relationship that is never depicted above a hint of subtlety. Doing it backwards temporally makes it even harder. Ivy Ho's script and direction certainly help but Lam should take top credit in placing "Claustrophobia" among the best in this genre in recent memory.