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Shanghai Triad

Shanghai Triad

Drama · Crime · 1995

Shanghai, China, 1930. When young Shuisheng arrives from the countryside, his uncle Liushu puts him at the service of Bijou, the mistress of Laoda, supreme boss of the Tang Triad, constantly threatened by his enemies, both those he knows and those lurking in the shadows.

Movie details

Shanghai Triad

“In 1930, Shanghai violence was not the problem. It was the solution.”

1995 Drama · Crime 1h 48m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

Shanghai, China, 1930. When young Shuisheng arrives from the countryside, his uncle Liushu puts him at the service of Bijou, the mistress of Laoda, supreme boss of the Tang Triad, constantly threatened by his enemies, both those he knows and those lurking in the shadows.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Shanghai Triad?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Hoodlum

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Zhang Yimou

Written by

Bi Feiyu

Gong Li

Gong Li

Bijou / Xiao Jinbao

Li Baotian

Li Baotian

Boss Tang Laoda

Sun Chun

Sun Chun

Song Laoer

Li Xuejian

Li Xuejian

Uncle Liushu

Liu Jiang

Liu Jiang

Fat Yu

Fu Biao

Fu Biao

Laosan

Chen Shu

Chen Shu

Shiye

Court is in session

Put Shanghai Triad on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.