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Trailer

Ashes of Time

1994Movie1 h 38 minR

Drama
73
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.0Letterboxd3.5/5Metacritic697.4Rotten Tomatoes79%76%

A profoundly sad, deeply moving drama movie about the mind and history, with standout direction and cinematography.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

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

Fear of rejection leads to a life of exile.

Ouyang Feng is a heartbroken and cynical man who spends his days in the desert, connecting expert swordsmen with those seeking revenge and willing to pay for it. Throughout five seasons in exile, Ouyang spins tales of his clients' unrequited loves and unusual acts of bravery.

Feels like

  • Philosophical Wuxia
  • Poetic Melodrama
  • Visually Stunning
  • Non-Linear Narrative
  • Unrequited Love
  • Existential Reflection
  • Masterful Cinematography
  • Meditative Pace
  • Character Study

Cast

8 of 8

Crew

Directed by
Wong Kar-wai
Written by
Wong Kar-wai, Louis Cha
Produced by
Wong Kar-wai, Jeffrey Lau, William Chang Suk-Ping
Music by
Frankie Chan Fan-kei, Roel A. García

Everyone

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

Facts

September 17, 1994 · 1 h 38 min · R

Released
September 17, 1994
Runtime
1 h 38 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence
Genres
Drama, Action
Original language
cn
Made in
Hong Kong SAR China, Taiwan, China
Budget
$5 million
Box office
$3 million
Available in
32 countries

Tropes

Speech-Centric Work, One-Man Army, Blind Weaponmaster +9

  • Speech-Centric Work
  • One-Man Army
  • Blind Weaponmaster
  • Death by Despair
  • MacGuffin-Person Reveal
  • Hold the Line
  • Doomed by Canon
  • Single-Stroke Battle
  • Zerg Rush
  • Prequel
  • Fingore
  • "Where Are They Now?" Epilogue

12 of 24 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Ashes of Time?"

Questions about Ashes of Time

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ashes of Time?

It streams in 29 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Ashes of Time worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73 (IMDb 7, Letterboxd 3.5 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 79%, and Metacritic 69).

Can I half-watch Ashes of Time?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for non-linear narrative and 9 for philosophical.

Is Ashes of Time good for date night?

Partner WatchAdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

It suits a quiet night in as a couple: romance is 8 of 10, but the viewing guide doesn't list it for date night.

Was Ashes of Time a box office flop?

Budget$5 million
Box office$3 million

Yes: it cost about $5 million to make and earned $3 million worldwide, 60% of its budget.

Is Ashes of Time in English?

cn

No, it was made in cn.

What tropes does Ashes of Time use?

Speech-Centric WorkOne-Man ArmyBlind WeaponmasterDeath by DespairMacGuffin-Person RevealHold the LineDoomed by CanonSingle-Stroke BattleZerg RushPrequelFingore"Where Are They Now?" Epilogueand 12 more

TV Tropes lists 24 tropes for it, including Speech-Centric Work, One-Man Army, and Blind Weaponmaster.