Zhang Yimou's new film set for Spring Festival, brings focus to national security

Zhang Yimou is back with "Scare Out" — a powerhouse of stars and emotion — hitting theaters this Spring Festival season, the producers revealed Thursday.

A poster for "Scare Out." [Photo courtesy of Damai Entertainment]

The spy thriller, starring Jackson Yee, Zhu Yilong, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin, Yang Mi and others, was produced under the guidance of the Ministry of State Security. It is the first film in China to focus on the theme of contemporary national security.

"Scare Out" follows the leak of classified intelligence about the nation’s latest fighter jet, a breach that endangers national security. As an elite task force races to track down the spies, they find themselves caught in a web of trust and deception, where every move could tip the balance in a high-stakes, suspense-filled game of wits.

What follows is a series of alleyway captures, crossbow ambushes, close-quarters combat, gun fights and drone pursuits. These high octane events all unfold one after the other, building towards something even bigger.

"Scare Out" marks the director's fourth consecutive Spring Festival release. His holiday season entries span diverse genres and eras, from the 2022 drama "Sniper" which grossed 608 million yuan, to the 2023 historical suspense "Full River Red" at 4.54 billion yuan and the 2024 legal dramedy "Article 20," which earned 2.43 billion yuan.

The film also marks Zhang's first foray into the national security realm, bringing the topic of "counter-espionage," which is closely tied to national security and public interest, to the big screen. This raises public awareness about counter- espionage and security vigilance.

A stellar ensemble cast brings this silent battle to life, embodying a spectrum of personalities rooted in espionage and modern warfare. The actors found the film’s subject matter both challenging and refreshing. Reflecting on his understanding of state security officers after filming, Jackson Yee explained that they are people who "uncover the fatal dangers that everyone else fails to see." His co-star, Zhu Yilong, echoed that sense of novelty, admitting, "It's the first time I've seen a film dealing with subject matter of this nature."

"Scare Out" will be released on Feb. 17, the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, also known as Chinese New Year, which is considered the most lucrative film season. Four films have now been set for the season. The other three are Yuen Woo-ping's martial arts epic "Blades of the Guardians," Han Han's racing comedy "Pegasus 3," and the franchise animated feature "Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector."