Scare Out Review: A Twist-Filled Spy Thriller with Style Over Substance
Master director Zhang Yimou's new film, Scare Out, delivers a visually stunning but narratively shallow spy thriller, packed with eye-popping stunts and futuristic technology. Set in contemporary Shenzhen, the plot revolves around spies hunting a mole leaking super-secret intelligence to Western rivals, yet it prioritizes spectacle over ideological depth.
From Arthouse Darling to Establishment Figure
In the 1980s and 1990s, Zhang Yimou was celebrated as a leading talent from China's "fifth generation" of filmmakers, known for breaking from socialist realism with works like Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern. His lush visuals and kinetic action sequences, seen in wuxia films such as Hero and House of Flying Daggers, along with his knack for showcasing female stars like Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, made him an arthouse favorite internationally.
Today, Zhang's role has shifted dramatically. He has become an establishment figure, orchestrating state-sponsored spectacles like the Beijing Olympics ceremonies. This evolution casts Scare Out in a pro-state light, as it centers on espionage against Western adversaries, though the screenplay by Chen Liang avoids deep political commentary, focusing instead on personal loyalties and high-tech action.
Futuristic Shenzhen and High-Tech Espionage
The film immerses viewers in a sleek, futuristic Shenzhen, where spies use drones and AI-powered equipment to track foes. From the opening scenes, Scare Out offers a flurry of aerial footage and snappy edits, alternating between command centers with flickering monitors and street-level pursuits. Jackson Yee stars as spy Yan Di, stalking Western targets through the immaculate city, while Zhu Yilong plays spymaster Huang Kai, who harbors secrets and engages in a clandestine affair with Bai Fan, portrayed by Yang Mi.
Despite promotional comparisons to John Le Carré's spy novels, the film's cinematic style more closely resembles a blend of Mission: Impossible and the Hong Kong-based Infernal Affairs franchise, later adapted by Martin Scorsese as The Departed. However, Scare Out lacks the psychological complexity of Infernal Affairs, instead relying on rapid twists and visual flair.
Visual Mastery and Narrative Shortcomings
Zhang Yimou's directorial prowess is undeniable, with the final 15 minutes delivering an acrobatic display of plot twists akin to Olympic ice-skating routines. The film showcases his command of craft through dynamic sequences that feel like cinematic feats, yet this emphasis on style often overshadows substance. The super-secret tech serves as a mere MacGuffin, with the real focus on the spies' high-tech tools and personal dramas.
While Zhu Yilong's performance as a conflicted spymaster is compelling, and the action sequences are thrilling, Scare Out ultimately feels like pro-state propaganda wrapped in entertainment. It offers little exploration of ideology or technology beyond surface-level excitement, making it a visually impressive but hollow experience.
Scare Out is currently showing in Australian cinemas and will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from February 20.
