Resurrection
Bi Gan's follow-up to Long Day's Journey Into Night trades playfulness for dystopian darkness
The brief
Bi Gan trades the playful dream logic of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" for something darker and more unforgiving, delivering nearly three hours of mesmerizing dystopian imagery that moves like thick honey. Jackson Yee anchors the film with a performance that's all quiet desperation and flickering hope, while Shu Qi brings a magnetic intensity to her supporting role. The pacing is deliberately hypnotic and will test your patience, but Gan's visual poetry creates an atmosphere so intoxicating you'll either fall completely under its spell or check your watch every twenty minutes. Perfect for anyone who loved "Memoria" or craves the kind of slow-burn sci-fi that prioritizes mood over plot.
The verdict
If you have the patience for slow-burn arthouse cinema and crave hypnotic visual storytelling over traditional plot structure, this is a mesmerizing dystopian experience that rewards contemplative viewers. If you need steady pacing or clear narrative momentum to stay engaged, nearly three hours of dreamlike imagery moving at honey-thick speed will leave you constantly checking the time.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewing for maximum immersion
- ⚠️ Skip if you need constant plot momentum
Heads up
- Nightmarish imagery and disturbing visions (moderate)
- Themes of mortality and existential despair (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Bi Gan
- Cast
- Jackson Yee, Shu Qi, Mark Chao, Li Gengxi, Huang Jue, Chen Yongzhong, Zhang Zhijian
Official synopsis
In a future where humanity has surrendered its ability to dream in exchange for immortality, an outcast finds
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Perfect Blue (1998)
Both explore fragmented reality and the psychological cost of losing identity.
Total runtime: 2h 39m + 1h 22m = 4h 1m
