Sign in

Raise the Red Lantern

1991·Movie
2h 5min
90
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Watch

Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Raise the Red Lantern fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense and spectacular

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle7
  • Fast Pace3

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy8
  • Family Dynamics8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Cringe Humor2

World

History, society, and class and money

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and storytelling

  • Direction9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Standout cinematography, score, and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Music Composition8
  • Visual Stylization8

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Chinese Historical DramaOppression of WomenSocial CommentaryVisually StunningMelancholy AtmospherePower DynamicsSlow-Burn TensionPsychological DepthTragic Fate

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Raise the Red Lantern

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Raise the Red Lantern legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Raise the Red Lantern in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Raise the Red Lantern worth watching?

90
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 91/100 (IMDb 8.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 97%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Raise the Red Lantern rated?

Disturbing imagerySuicide themes

Content advisories: disturbing imagery and suicide themes.

How long is Raise the Red Lantern?

2 h 5 min

Raise the Red Lantern runs 2 h 5 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Raise the Red Lantern?

Critics97
Audiences88

Not quite. Critics rate Raise the Red Lantern higher (97) than audiences (88). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

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.

What language is Raise the Red Lantern in?

Chinese

It was made in Chinese. Produced in China, Hong Kong SAR China.

In how many countries can I watch Raise the Red Lantern?

28AOATAZBFBYBZCHCMCYDEESGYJPKR+14

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Raise the Red Lantern in 28 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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 storytelling tropes for Raise the Red Lantern, including Awful Wedded Life, Top Wife, Building of Adventure.