A dying man invents a detective to solve his own life — before his heart stops.
This film takes place during the Republic of China period and tells the story of Mu Yuan, who is on the brink of death. In his mind, he creates a new identity for himself as the police officer, Zhao Ren. As Zhao Ren uncovers the truth of a series of thrilling and bizarre events, Mu Yuan also completes his inner redemption before his death. This is a philosophical story with a gripping plot and about spiritual redemption. The message they’d like to convey to the audience is that only by bravely facing past mistakes and hardships can we truly resolve our inner turmoil and emerge from the shadows, and begin a new life. (Source: iQiyi)
Direction
Ma Kai layers two timelines into one breathless descent.
Writing
The Zhao Ren/Mu Yuan mirroring is genuinely clever structure.
Director
Ma Kai
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ma Kai shot this with the same crew from his cult horror hit 'The Possessed' (Zhong Xie), maintaining his micro-budget supernatural thriller formula.
The Republic-era setting isn't just atmosphere — it evokes China's 'golden age' detective fiction tradition, making Zhao Ren a phantom of a genre that never existed for Mu Yuan.
CN
