China Noir
Chinese crime films, which make up the growing subgenre “China noir” or “mainland noir,” relocate the distinctive style and atmosphere of 1940s and ’50s film noir in modern-day China. This Spotlight features 12 of these must-see melodramas set in the shadowy fringes of the neon city.
Better Days
(少年的你)
A bullied teen gangs up with a mysterious criminal who uses violence to protect her.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2019
- Director Derek Tsang
- Cast Zhou Dongyu, Jackson Yee, Huang Jue, Yin Fang
- Genre Drama
- Available on Fandor Amazon Channel, Hoopla, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Spectrum On Demand, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, AsianCrush, Freevee, Cineverse, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Channel
The Wild Goose Lake
(南方车站的聚会)
A gangster, recently freed from prison, finds trouble amid Wuhan's shadows and neon.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China, France • 2019
- Director Diao Yi'nan
- Cast Hu Ge, Gwei Lun-mei, Liao Fan, Wan Qian, Qi Dao, Huang Jue
- Genre Crime, Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy, Hoopla
Ash Is Purest White
(江湖儿女)
The violent love story of a young dancer and a mobster spanning from 2001 to 2017.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China, France, Japan • 2018
- Director Jia Zhangke
- Cast Zhao Tao, Liao Fan, Feng Xiaogang, Xu Zheng, Zhang Yibai, Diao Yi'nan
- Genre Crime, Drama, Romance
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, Kanopy
Cities of Last Things
(幸福城市)
A story about the life and death of a bitter Taiwanese cop — told backward.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Taiwan, China, France • 2018
- Director Wi Ding Ho
- Cast Lee Hong Chi, Jack Kao, Louise Grinberg, Ding Ning, Huang Lu, Linda Liu
- Genre Crime, Drama, Science Fiction
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Have a Nice Day
(大世界)
A darkly funny animated neo-noir following a young driver who steals a million dollars from a crime boss.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2018
- Director Liu Jian
- Cast Yang Siming, Cao Kou, Ma Xiaofeng, Zhu Changlong, Cao Ka
- Genre Animation, Crime
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, VUDU Free, Kanopy
Long Day's Journey Into Night
(地球最后的夜晚)
A man returns to his hometown, where he is haunted by memories of his long-lost love.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2018
- Director Bi Gan
- Cast Huang Jue, Tang Wei, Sylvia Chang, Lee Hong Chi, Chen Yongzhong
- Genre Drama, Mystery
- Available on OVID, Kino Film Collection, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy
Free and Easy
(轻松+愉快)
A crime-comedy featuring a traveling soap salesman, two apathetic cops, and a nontraditional monk.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2017
- Director Jun Geng
- Cast Xu Gang, Zhang Zhiyong
- Genre Comedy
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, VUDU Free, Kanopy
Black Coal, Thin Ice
(白日焰火)
A neo-noir exploring the serpentine city, its neon lights, and its coal-black heart.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- China • 2014
- Director Diao Yi'nan
- Cast Liao Fan, Kwai Lun-Mei, Wang Xuebing, Wang Jingchun, Yu Ailei, Ni Jingyang
- Genre Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Freevee, Plex, Plex Channel
Vengeance
(復仇)
A violent action-thriller featuring a French former assassin desperate for revenge.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, France • 2009
- Director Johnnie To
- Cast Johnny Hallyday, Anthony Wong, Gordon Lam, Lam Suet, Simon Yam, Sylvie Testud
- Genre Action, Thriller
- Available on Plex, Plex Channel
2046
Reality and fiction blend for a grieving sci-fi writer desperate to understand — and forget.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China, France • 2004
- Director Wong Kar-wai
- Cast Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Gong Li, Faye Wong, Takuya Kimura, Zhang Ziyi, Carina Lau
- Genre Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction
- Available on Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand, Tubi TV
Infernal Affairs
(無間道)
Two moles tasked with infiltration struggle to expose one another.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 2002
- Director Alan Mak, Andrew Lau
- Cast Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Kelly Chen, Sammi Cheng
- Genre Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Chungking Express
(重慶森林)
Two tales of love and loss told in sequence.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1994
- Director Wong Kar-wai
- Cast Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Faye Wong, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Valerie Chow, Piggy Chan
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube