Raise the Red Lantern

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Raise the Red Lantern

PG

1991

2h 5m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

Critics Consensus

Visually thrilling and rich with emotion, Raise the Red Lantern offers an engrossing period drama anchored by an outstanding performance from Gong Li.

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Ted Shen

Chicago Reader

May 26, 2022

3/4

Zhang seems to suggest, the price for rebellion and transgression is still death or madness.

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Rob Nelson

Village Voice

Feb 27, 2007

Visually ravishing and emotionally cold, Zhang's third feature is one long series of pushes and pulls.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

May 20, 2003

4.5/5

A beautifully crafted and richly detailed feat of consciousness-raising and a serious drama with the verve of a good soap opera.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Aug 30, 2024

5/5

Once again making exceptional use of bright colour, symbolic compositions, stylised sets and the breathtaking rural landscape, director Zhang Yimou has fashioned a compelling and at times erotic story about the repression of women in 1920s China.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Feb 12, 2022

4/4

In Raise the Red Lantern, Zhang Yimou's most widely acclaimed film, the Chinese director portrays life as a series of performative gestures under the duress of cultural tradition, prescribed gender roles, and hierarchical power structures.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

Jul 15, 2020

4/4

The feminist anthem here is a subtle wisp bolstered by sumptuousness, Zhang's masterful composition and Gong.

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Wayne K

@WayneKelso Apr 24, 2026

A landmark film from China’s vaunted Fifth Generation of cinema, Raise The Red Lantern is a small-scale film with a big-pace impact. Its all about characters, emotions and themes over grandiose plots. Its repetitive nature and monotony actually work to its benefit, demonstrating how a safe, privileged life can be comforting but also soul-destroying. The most fascinating aspect is witnessing the 4 mistresses and their ever-changing attitude towards each other and their situation, how those that put on the friendliest façade often have the most devilish intentions, and how even the kindest people can be driven to selfishness and hatred under certain circumstances. You see the smallest events having powerful consequences, and the cinematography, camerawork and framing emphasise the dull routines and monotonous habits that would drive anyone to madness. If you can cope with its steady pace and necessary repetition, then you’ll find a lot to love in Raise The Red Lantern.

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Arthur M

@RT78854981 Apr 1, 2026

Honestly think anyone outside of the Chinese community shouldn't really try to rate this specific movie, because i think a lot of people outside the community wouldn't understand its true meanings (or could take them the wrong way), but i am so glad that this movie is 97%.

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mohammed M.

@9mr_0 Mar 29, 2026

تحفة فنية على جميع المستويات واحد من افضل الافلام بالتاريخ❤️

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Ronnie M

@spuncake Jan 27, 2025

Unforgettable Movie... this movie pulls you into the story. Great acting and very realistic settings. Love it

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Alec B

@Alec97 Feb 21, 2024

It starts off as melodrama but ends like a horror movie. Love the shooting location which is like a claustrophobic labyrinth.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Sep 8, 2023

The Red Lantern was the symbol of the master being in a mistresses house...and these 4 ladies are in a battle - for significance, worth, companionship. The old school chinese system is brutally put on display. And even though its slow, it's a great story.

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Yimou Zhang

Director

Gong Li

Songlian

Jingwu Ma

The Master

Saifei He

Meishan (Third Wife)

Cao Cuifeng

Zhuoyan (Second Wife)

Jin Shuyuan

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Synopsis

Teenage Songlian (Gong Li), whose family has been devastated by the recent death of her father, becomes the third concubine of wealthy Master Chen (Ma Jingwu). She soon discovers that behind the palatial luxury of life in the master's house, she and her fellow concubines, Zhuoyan (Cao Cuifeng) and Meishan (He Caifei), are pitted against each other in a struggle for his affections. The situation inevitably leads to deception, jealous rages and the revelation of each other's darkest secrets.

Director: Yimou Zhang
Producer: Fu-Sheng Chiu
Screenwriter: Su Tong, Ni Zhen
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: China Film Co-Production Corporation, Salon Films, Century Communications, ERA International
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 10, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.6K
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby

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