Jackie Chan's new film 'The Shadow's Edge' delights action fans

Kung fu star Jackie Chan headlines the new film "The Shadow's Edge," blending classic action style with high-tech crime in fast-paced sequences that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Jackie Chan and the cast and crew of "The Shadow's Edge" pose for a photo at the film's premiere in Beijing, Aug. 3, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse Entertainment]

Directed by Larry Yang, the film stars veterans Chan and Tony Leung, alongside young actors including Zhang Zifeng, Ci Sha and Jerry Wen. The film follows a gang of elite high-tech thieves who pull off a massive cryptocurrency heist, outmaneuvering police tracking systems with advanced countersurveillance. The Macao police call on a retired police officer and expert in tracking played by Chan to train a new team to bring down criminal mastermind Leung and his young gang of adopted sons. As authorities close in, the thieves set an intricate trap, igniting a lethal clash of wits and brutal close-quarters combat. 

The movie pits traditional surveillance techniques against high-tech crime methods in a showdown where old-school skills more than hold their own. With unpredictable plot twists, the film delivers non-stop surprises.

Chan, 71, marks his 64th anniversary working in the business this year. "At 40 I thought I'd retire, but heaven kept blessing me with work," he said at the premiere of "The Shadow's Edge" in Beijing on Aug. 3. "I'm just an actor who knows martial arts. I'm grateful for the director's opportunity." He solemnly vowed to the audience: "I'll keep acting until you stop watching."

The film is a remake of Yau Nai-hoi's "Eye in the Sky" (2007), which originally starred Leung as the villain. Director Yang said Leung's return aimed to recapture his commanding presence from the original, noting, "his character embodies a criminal mastermind's essence." While honoring the original, the remake significantly reworks its core premise for the AI era. "We reinvented the surveillance versus countersurveillance dynamic to explore what fascinating sparks would fly under today's technological standards," Yang added.

Leung's action scenes, especially in the close-combat sequences with a dagger, deliver jaw-dropping intensity. The actor credited Chan and his stunt team for their choreography and training, noting he prepared for just one year as an action newcomer.  

Leung and Chan are old friends but haven't worked together on a film since 2005's "The Myth" — a gap of two decades. At the premiere, they sang old songs and traded jokes, creating quite a nostalgic atmosphere. They also hinted at future collaboration in a potential "The Shadow's Edge" sequel.

Many viewers were surprised to see Zhang, typically known for her dramatic roles, transform into an action star for this film — mastering combat, weapons and firearms. She plays the daughter of Chan's character's police colleague. Chan repeatedly praised her dedication: "Success never comes easy. She trained until her hands were raw without a single complaint."

Chan further revealed at the premiere that Zhang has joined the 12th generation of his stunt team.

"The Shadow's Edge" has earned rave reviews since its premiere, with many calling it Chan's best film in years. The film opens nationwide on Aug. 16.