DIRECTOR: Soi Cheang
STARRING: Raymond Lam, Louis Koo, Terrance Lau, Tony Wu, German Cheung
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 5 minutes
LANGUAGE: Cantonese, Japanese
In 1980s Hong Kong, troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun accidentally enters the notorious Kowloon Walled City. Lok-kwun, a refugee from the mainland, struggles to survive by participating in underground fighting rings.
***
The film is based on Andy Seto’s Chinese comic City of Darkness. Directed by Soi Cheang, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled in has grossed close to $100 million at the global box office when it debuted in theatres in early May 2024. This is the second highest grossing domestic film of all time in Hong Kong. The film also played out-of-competition as a midnight screening at the Cannes Film Festival in the same month. Cheang has also directed action films Limbo, The Monkey Man, Mad Fate, Dog Bite Dog and Accident but this is the first time that one of his films has been selected as Hong Kong’s Oscar submission.
The film’s selection was announced by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers of Hong Kong.
The film is produced by Entertaining Power, One Cool Pictures, Lian Ray Pictures, HG Entertainment and Media Asia Films.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is an adventure drama and it was filmed in Hong Kong.
To check out all previous submissions for Hong Kong, click HERE.
STARRING: Raymond Lam, Louis Koo, Terrance Lau, Tony Wu, German Cheung
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 5 minutes
LANGUAGE: Cantonese, Japanese
In 1980s Hong Kong, troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun accidentally enters the notorious Kowloon Walled City. Lok-kwun, a refugee from the mainland, struggles to survive by participating in underground fighting rings.
***
The film is based on Andy Seto’s Chinese comic City of Darkness. Directed by Soi Cheang, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled in has grossed close to $100 million at the global box office when it debuted in theatres in early May 2024. This is the second highest grossing domestic film of all time in Hong Kong. The film also played out-of-competition as a midnight screening at the Cannes Film Festival in the same month. Cheang has also directed action films Limbo, The Monkey Man, Mad Fate, Dog Bite Dog and Accident but this is the first time that one of his films has been selected as Hong Kong’s Oscar submission.
The film’s selection was announced by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers of Hong Kong.
The film is produced by Entertaining Power, One Cool Pictures, Lian Ray Pictures, HG Entertainment and Media Asia Films.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is an adventure drama and it was filmed in Hong Kong.
To check out all previous submissions for Hong Kong, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
"Where else can I go? I almost died coming here."
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a spectacular ode to classic Hong Kong action cinema, revitalized with a modern edge and a visual style that electrifies the screen. Set in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, the film follows Chan Lok-kwun (Raymond Lam), a downtrodden refugee who stumbles into a world of criminals, misfits, and outcasts. Through Chan’s eyes, the audience is introduced to a colorful array of characters, each fighting to protect their turf from the grasp of Mr. Big, a ruthless triad boss played by the legendary Sammo Hung. From start to finish, the movie delivers a thrilling, high-stakes story that pulses with adrenaline, humor, and moments of gritty beauty.
Visually, the film is nothing short of breathtaking. Director Soi Cheang and his team have turned Kowloon into a character in itself, an intricate, labyrinthine cityscape overflowing with rusted pipes, tangled cables, and neon-lit alleyways. The film’s production design, led by Kwok-Keung Mak, brings an exaggerated, almost dreamlike quality to the city that feels both oppressive and awe-inspiring. Every inch of Kowloon is meticulously crafted, adding layers of texture that make it seem alive, and the claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly complements the characters' chaotic lives. The setting enhances the film’s themes of community and resilience, making the audience feel immersed in this bizarre yet vibrant urban jungle.
Action is the heart and soul of Twilight of the Warriors, and it’s executed with exceptional flair. Action director Kenji Tanigaki, known for his work with martial arts legend Donnie Yen, choreographs jaw-dropping fight sequences that blend realism with comic-book-style flair. The film is packed with fantastical, physics-defying combat that defies belief, from cigarette-flicking gang bosses to multi-limbed takedowns that feel like something out of a video game. Every punch, kick, and weapon swing is delivered with manic energy, making each scene feel fresh and memorable. The meticulous stunt work and Tanigaki’s inventive choreography create a visceral experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
What makes Twilight of the Warriors more than just a showcase of action, however, is the rich tapestry of characters who populate its story. Louis Koo’s Cyclone, a streetwise barber and beloved crime boss, adds charm and heart to the film, while Raymond Lam’s Chan provides a sympathetic, determined underdog for the audience to root for. Even the supporting characters, from the media-obsessed AV to Cyclone’s loyal right-hand men, bring their own quirks and complexities to the story. This ensemble cast, filled with Hong Kong cinema veterans, brings a sense of camaraderie and tension that heightens the stakes and gives emotional weight to the action-packed narrative.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In succeeds not only as a crowd-pleasing action movie but as a celebration of Hong Kong cinema itself. Director Soi Cheang has created a film that feels nostalgic yet modern, blending the grittiness of crime thrillers with the larger-than-life spectacle of superhero movies. With its dazzling set pieces, memorable characters, and an atmosphere thick with style, the film is a wild, captivating experience that will satisfy genre fans and newcomers alike. Twilight of the Warriors isn’t just another action flick, it’s a cinematic rush that honors the legacy of Hong Kong action filmmaking while pushing it into thrilling new territory.
(This review contains spoilers.)
"Where else can I go? I almost died coming here."
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a spectacular ode to classic Hong Kong action cinema, revitalized with a modern edge and a visual style that electrifies the screen. Set in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, the film follows Chan Lok-kwun (Raymond Lam), a downtrodden refugee who stumbles into a world of criminals, misfits, and outcasts. Through Chan’s eyes, the audience is introduced to a colorful array of characters, each fighting to protect their turf from the grasp of Mr. Big, a ruthless triad boss played by the legendary Sammo Hung. From start to finish, the movie delivers a thrilling, high-stakes story that pulses with adrenaline, humor, and moments of gritty beauty.
Visually, the film is nothing short of breathtaking. Director Soi Cheang and his team have turned Kowloon into a character in itself, an intricate, labyrinthine cityscape overflowing with rusted pipes, tangled cables, and neon-lit alleyways. The film’s production design, led by Kwok-Keung Mak, brings an exaggerated, almost dreamlike quality to the city that feels both oppressive and awe-inspiring. Every inch of Kowloon is meticulously crafted, adding layers of texture that make it seem alive, and the claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly complements the characters' chaotic lives. The setting enhances the film’s themes of community and resilience, making the audience feel immersed in this bizarre yet vibrant urban jungle.
Action is the heart and soul of Twilight of the Warriors, and it’s executed with exceptional flair. Action director Kenji Tanigaki, known for his work with martial arts legend Donnie Yen, choreographs jaw-dropping fight sequences that blend realism with comic-book-style flair. The film is packed with fantastical, physics-defying combat that defies belief, from cigarette-flicking gang bosses to multi-limbed takedowns that feel like something out of a video game. Every punch, kick, and weapon swing is delivered with manic energy, making each scene feel fresh and memorable. The meticulous stunt work and Tanigaki’s inventive choreography create a visceral experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
What makes Twilight of the Warriors more than just a showcase of action, however, is the rich tapestry of characters who populate its story. Louis Koo’s Cyclone, a streetwise barber and beloved crime boss, adds charm and heart to the film, while Raymond Lam’s Chan provides a sympathetic, determined underdog for the audience to root for. Even the supporting characters, from the media-obsessed AV to Cyclone’s loyal right-hand men, bring their own quirks and complexities to the story. This ensemble cast, filled with Hong Kong cinema veterans, brings a sense of camaraderie and tension that heightens the stakes and gives emotional weight to the action-packed narrative.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In succeeds not only as a crowd-pleasing action movie but as a celebration of Hong Kong cinema itself. Director Soi Cheang has created a film that feels nostalgic yet modern, blending the grittiness of crime thrillers with the larger-than-life spectacle of superhero movies. With its dazzling set pieces, memorable characters, and an atmosphere thick with style, the film is a wild, captivating experience that will satisfy genre fans and newcomers alike. Twilight of the Warriors isn’t just another action flick, it’s a cinematic rush that honors the legacy of Hong Kong action filmmaking while pushing it into thrilling new territory.
