Shadow

Set in a kingdom ruled by a young king, Shadow follows a seasoned general who holds a rare weapon: a perfect doppelganger who can mimic the monarch’s presence and voice. This double can fool friend and foe alike, creating a web of deception that cascades through court and battlefield. The general, played by Deng Chao in a dual role as Zi Yu and his look alike Jing Zhou, orchestrates a perilous plan to secure a decisive victory in a war the king resists fighting. As the audience watches, the line between ally and adversary blurs, forcing soldiers and rulers to weigh loyalty against survival, and to gamble with the realm itself. Its choices test authority and loyalty at every turn.

Directed by Zhang Yimou, Shadow is based on an original script by Zhu Sujin and Li Wei. Released in 2018 as a Chinese war action drama, it showcases the director's meticulous staging, bold silhouettes, and large scale battles, throughout production.

It earned $91,708,374 worldwide, more than doubling its $44,005,000 budget, a solid result for a high craft historical action drama from Zhang Yimou that drew viewers across China and abroad during its release, and proved popular with audiences worldwide today.

Its central idea of a shadow that believes in loyalty as much as deception sparked conversations about cinema craft in China. The film's silhouetted battle scenes and staged color palette became points of discussion among fans and critics, highlighting Zhang Yimou's return to grand scale storytelling for audiences to admire.

Critics tend to praise Shadow for its craft and the political chess at its center. Deng Chao's double turn and Sun Li's presence anchor a story about loyalty, duty, and the ethics of deception under a king wary of war. The ending invites viewers to rewatch key choices and motives.