Scare Out Review: A Twist-Filled Spy Thriller with More Style Than Substance
Master director Zhang Yimou's newest cinematic venture, Scare Out, plunges audiences into a high-octane world of espionage, featuring eye-popping stunts and cutting-edge technology. Set in the futuristic metropolis of contemporary Shenzhen, the film follows spies on a relentless hunt for a mole leaking super-secret intelligence to Western rivals. However, despite its visual flair, the movie struggles to deliver meaningful narrative depth, leaving viewers with a spectacle that prioritizes style over substance.
Zhang Yimou's Evolution from Arthouse Darling to Establishment Figure
In the 1980s and 1990s, Zhang Yimou was celebrated as a leading talent among China's "fifth generation" of filmmakers, known for breaking away from socialist realist traditions. His early works, such as Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern, earned him international acclaim for lush visuals and dynamic action sequences, showcased in wuxia epics like Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Zhang also gained renown for discovering and elevating female stars like Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi.
Today, Zhang's role has shifted dramatically. He has become an establishment figure, orchestrating state-sponsored spectacles like the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics. This transformation influences his latest project, Scare Out, which some may interpret as pro-state propaganda due to its plot centered on national loyalty and counter-espionage against Western adversaries.
Plot and Themes: Loyalty Over Ideology
The screenplay by Chen Liang focuses less on ideological debates or technological intricacies and more on personal loyalties among friends, spouses, and colleagues. The super-secret military tech serves as a MacGuffin, driving the action but taking a backseat to the drones and AI-powered gadgets used by spies to track foes across Shenzhen's pristine urban landscape.
From the outset, Scare Out delivers a frenetic pace with aerial footage, snappy edits, and jump cuts between black-clad operatives. Huang Kai, played by Zhu Yilong, commands a high-tech control room filled with flickering monitors, while his best friend Yan Di, portrayed by Jackson Yee, leads street-level missions targeting Western suspects. The film's marketing draws parallels to John Le Carré's spy novels, but cinematically, it blends elements of Mission: Impossible and the Hong Kong-based Infernal Affairs franchise, later adapted by Martin Scorsese into The Departed.
Character Dynamics and Cinematic Craftsmanship
While lacking the psychological complexity of Infernal Affairs, Scare Out features compelling performances. Zhu Yilong shines as a spymaster with hidden secrets, entangled in an affair with the sultry Bai Fan, played by Yang Mi. The final 15 minutes unleash a series of acrobatic plot twists, reminiscent of Olympic ice-skating routines, showcasing Zhang Yimou's masterful direction through rapid-paced sequences and visual gymnastics.
Zhang's technical prowess is undeniable, with cinematography that executes cinematic feats akin to quadruple axles and salchows in figure skating. Yet, the film's emphasis on style often overshadows character development and thematic exploration, resulting in a thrilling but ultimately hollow experience.
Release Details and Final Thoughts
Scare Out is currently screening in Australian cinemas and will debut in UK and Irish theaters from February 20. For fans of action-packed spy thrillers, it offers a visually stunning ride, but those seeking deeper narrative engagement may find it lacking. Zhang Yimou's latest work reaffirms his status as a cinematic craftsman, even if it falls short of the substantive storytelling that defined his earlier career.
