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Raise the Red Lantern

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Raise the Red Lantern PG In Theaters Nov 6 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
97% Tomatometer 32 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.
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Raise the Red Lantern

What to Know

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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Cast & Crew

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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

Yuru

Critics Reviews

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Derek Malcolm Guardian Oct 14, 2026
It is perhaps Yimou's most lavish and stately film, quite unlike his others in style. It is also his most resonant. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Oct 14, 2026
The atypical symmetry and stillness of the compositions stress the strait-jacket mores of a stagnant feudal culture. The acting is excellent, too, but one can't help but feel that Zhang has said it all before and more imaginatively. Go to Full Review Ted Shen Chicago Reader May 26, 2022
3/4
Zhang seems to suggest, the price for rebellion and transgression is still death or madness. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more 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%. See more mohammed M. @9mr_0 Mar 29, 2026 تحفة فنية على جميع المستويات واحد من افضل الافلام بالتاريخ❤️ See more Ronnie M @spuncake Jan 27, 2025 Unforgettable Movie... this movie pulls you into the story. Great acting and very realistic settings. Love it See more 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. See more 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. See more Read all reviews
Raise the Red Lantern

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Raise the Red Lantern

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Movie Info

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
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Nov 6, 2026
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 4, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.6K
Runtime
2h 5m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby
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