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Dead to Rights

Play trailer Poster for Dead to Rights Aug 2025 2h 17m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 100+ Verified Ratings
In 1937, a postman turns a photo studio into a refugee center for Chinese soldiers and citizens amidst the Nanjing Massacre.

Critics Reviews

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Richard Kuipers Variety Nov 19
Performances are excellent across the board, but the standout is Harashima (the son of Chinese and Japanese parents) for his delicately understated portrayal of a non-combatant soldier documenting appalling crimes against humanity. Go to Full Review
Frank J. Avella The Contending Nov 22
A
Dead to Rights works so stupendously because, while Ao has epically recreated the backdrop of the horrifying invasion of the Chinese capital, he focuses the story on two handfuls of characters that the audience gets to know and root for. Go to Full Review
Jared Mobarak Hey, Have You Seen ...? Nov 21
8/10
Shen pulls no punches in his direction, scale, or production design, throwing us in the middle of this massacre with a cast that perfectly captures the tortured reality of their fate via silent tears and haunted faces. Go to Full Review
Sarah Vincent Sarah G Vincent Views Sep 8
If you only have time to see one movie this year that commemorates the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II or the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, see this one. Go to Full Review
Whang Yee Ling The Straits Times (Singapore) Aug 28
3/5
One of history’s darkest chapters is memorialised with film-making craft and politburo-pleasing nationalism. Go to Full Review
Casey Chong Casey's Movie Mania Aug 28
4/5
Shen Ao's bleak and moving Nanjing Massacre-set anti-war drama. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bill T Aug 31 This was a raw and graphic portrayal of atrocities carried out by Japan against China. The story is at once powerful and utterly depressing and alarming. That there are people who deny these events ever took place underscores why the photographic record is so important, as is ensuring no one ever forgets it happened. See more Mars Aug 29 Can be better but good enough See more Cathy Aug 29 I was deeply moved by the movie. People around the world must never forget the brutal, inhumane war crimes committed by Japanese soldiers. Japan should sincerely apologize for the atrocities they inflicted on the Chinese people, the peoples of Southeast Asia, as well as American soldiers. See more Katherine Y Aug 28 Helps people to reflect on history. Tells good story and real history. Great movie. Definitely worth the time. See more wan z Aug 28 Unforgettable, never forget the history! See more Ordinary Chinese Aug 28 This movie takes on one of the darkest chapters of history—the Japanese invasion of China and the Nanking massacre. Told through three different characters who meet in the city after the invasion, it shows the brutality of the soldiers and the horror faced by civilians. Its raw, emotional, and hard to watch at times, but thats what makes it powerful. Even more impactful is the reminder that this part of history is still denied or ignored in Japan today. See more Read all reviews
Dead to Rights

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1937, a postman turns a photo studio into a refugee center for Chinese soldiers and citizens amidst the Nanjing Massacre.
Director
Ao Shen
Screenwriter
Ao Shen, Luyang Xu, Ke Zhang
Distributor
Niu Vision Media / Echelon Studios
Production Co
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
Chinese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 15, 2025, Limited
Runtime
2h 17m