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Raise the Red Lantern

1991Movie2 h 5 min

Drama
91
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.1Letterboxd4.3/5Rotten Tomatoes97%94%

A slow-burning, moving drama movie about history and society, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for date night · friends night · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

Where to watch

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

China, 1920. One master, four wives.

In 1920s China, 19-year-old Songlian becomes a concubine of a powerful lord and is forced to compete with his three wives for the privileges gained.

Feels like

  • Chinese Historical Drama
  • Oppression of Women
  • Social Commentary
  • Visually Stunning
  • Melancholy Atmosphere
  • Power Dynamics
  • Slow-Burn Tension
  • Psychological Depth
  • Tragic Fate

Cast

9 of 9

Crew

Directed by
Zhang Yimou
Written by
Su Tong, Ni Zhen
Produced by
Yau Fook-Sang
Music by
Zhao Jiping, Naoki Tachikawa

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 18, 1991 · 2 h 5 min · Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes

Released
December 18, 1991
Runtime
2 h 5 min
Content
Disturbing Imagery, Suicide Themes
Genres
Drama
Original language
Chinese
Made in
China, Hong Kong SAR China
Budget
$1 million
Box office
$17 million
Available in
28 countries

Tropes

Awful Wedded Life, Top Wife, Building of Adventure +9

  • Awful Wedded Life
  • Top Wife
  • Building of Adventure
  • Tragic Dream
  • Accidental Public Confession
  • Hidden Depths
  • Berserk Button
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni
  • The Rival
  • Trademark Favorite Food
  • Tragic Keepsake
  • Snow Means Death

12 of 73 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Raise the Red Lantern?"

Questions about Raise the Red Lantern

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Raise the Red Lantern?

It streams in 27 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Raise the Red Lantern worth watching?

91
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 91 (IMDb 8.1, Letterboxd 4.3 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes 97%). Critics rate it higher (97 out of 100) than audiences (87).

Will I feel good after watching Raise the Red Lantern?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Was Raise the Red Lantern a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$17 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $1 million to make and earned $17 million worldwide, 16.6 times its budget.

Is Raise the Red Lantern in English?

Chinese

No, it was made in Chinese.

What tropes does Raise the Red Lantern use?

Awful Wedded LifeTop WifeBuilding of AdventureTragic DreamAccidental Public ConfessionHidden DepthsBerserk ButtonRed Oni, Blue OniThe RivalTrademark Favorite FoodTragic KeepsakeSnow Means Deathand 61 more

TV Tropes lists 73 tropes for it, including Awful Wedded Life, Top Wife, and Building of Adventure.