Raise the Red Lantern

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Raise the Red Lantern

PG

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2h 5m

Drama

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Tomatometer

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97%

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35 Reviews

94%

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10,000+ Ratings

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

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Critics Consensus

Visually thrilling and rich with emotion, Raise the Red Lantern offers an engrossing period drama anchored by an outstanding performance from Gong Li.

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Oct 14, 2026

It is perhaps Yimou's most lavish and stately film, quite unlike his others in style. It is also his most resonant.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Oct 14, 2026

The atypical symmetry and stillness of the compositions stress the strait-jacket mores of a stagnant feudal culture. The acting is excellent, too, but one can't help but feel that Zhang has said it all before and more imaginatively.

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Ted Shen

Chicago Reader

May 26, 2022

3/4

Zhang seems to suggest, the price for rebellion and transgression is still death or madness.

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Joshua Polanski

There Were No Gods Left

4 hrs ago

Nothing short of a gift to cinema.

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Katherine Connell

Screen Slate

5 hrs ago

In the end, Songlian’s refusal to conform to her circumstances is both subversive and damning. Although the film doesn’t present a way out of its hegemonic world, it isn’t asking viewers to accept theirs.

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Matt Goldberg

Commentary Track

10 hrs ago

4/5

Zhang Yimou’s classic 1991 film has a new 4K transfer that highlights its powerful visuals.

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Wayne K

@WayneKelso Apr 24, 2026

A landmark film from China’s vaunted Fifth Generation of cinema, Raise The Red Lantern is a small-scale film with a big-pace impact. Its all about characters, emotions and themes over grandiose plots. Its repetitive nature and monotony actually work to its benefit, demonstrating how a safe, privileged life can be comforting but also soul-destroying. The most fascinating aspect is witnessing the 4 mistresses and their ever-changing attitude towards each other and their situation, how those that put on the friendliest façade often have the most devilish intentions, and how even the kindest people can be driven to selfishness and hatred under certain circumstances. You see the smallest events having powerful consequences, and the cinematography, camerawork and framing emphasise the dull routines and monotonous habits that would drive anyone to madness. If you can cope with its steady pace and necessary repetition, then you’ll find a lot to love in Raise The Red Lantern.

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Arthur M

@RT78854981 Apr 1, 2026

Honestly think anyone outside of the Chinese community shouldn't really try to rate this specific movie, because i think a lot of people outside the community wouldn't understand its true meanings (or could take them the wrong way), but i am so glad that this movie is 97%.

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mohammed M.

@9mr_0 Mar 29, 2026

تحفة فنية على جميع المستويات واحد من افضل الافلام بالتاريخ❤️

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Ronnie M

@spuncake Jan 27, 2025

Unforgettable Movie... this movie pulls you into the story. Great acting and very realistic settings. Love it

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Alec B

@Alec97 Feb 21, 2024

It starts off as melodrama but ends like a horror movie. Love the shooting location which is like a claustrophobic labyrinth.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Sep 8, 2023

The Red Lantern was the symbol of the master being in a mistresses house...and these 4 ladies are in a battle - for significance, worth, companionship. The old school chinese system is brutally put on display. And even though its slow, it's a great story.

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Yimou Zhang

Director

Gong Li

Songlian

Jingwu Ma

The Master

Saifei He

Meishan (Third Wife)

Cao Cuifeng

Zhuoyan (Second Wife)

Jin Shuyuan

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Raise the Red Lantern: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

Director: Yimou Zhang
Producer: Fu-Sheng Chiu
Screenwriter: Su Tong, Ni Zhen
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: China Film Co-Production Corporation, Salon Films, Century Communications, ERA International
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.6K
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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