Mistress Dispeller

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Mistress Dispeller

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1h 34m

Documentary

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95%

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40 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In China, a new industry has emerged devoted to helping couples stay married in the face of infidelity. Wang Zhenxi is part of this growing profession, a "mistress dispeller" who is hired to maintain the bonds of marriage -- and break up affairs -- by any means necessary. Offering strikingly intimate access to private dramas usually hidden behind closed doors, Mistress Dispeller follows a real, unfolding case of infidelity as Teacher Wang attempts to bring a couple back from the edge of crisis. Their story shifts our sympathies between husband, wife and mistress to explore the ways emotion, pragmatism and cultural norms collide to shape romantic relationships in contemporary China.

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Sheri Linden

The Hollywood Reporter

But however quietly they express these revelations, the enormity of [the central trio's] feelings is what propels the film, underlined by Brian McOmber’s brooding score and the aching intensity of a Puccini aria on the soundtrack.

Oct 26, 2025

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Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

Rather than leaning on caricatures or stereotypes, the film gives each person’s perspective a respectful hearing. The added element of Wang’s subterfuge is what keeps it all fresh.

Oct 24, 2025

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Katie Rife

RogerEbert.com

It’s about the mysteries of the human heart. Its exploration of these subtle depths is sensitive, as are its conclusions.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 22, 2025

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

This is one of those documentaries in which the biggest accomplishment was someone getting all of these people to tell their stories on camera

Nov 8, 2025

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Mike Usinger

Georgia Straight

The fascinating thing about Mistress Dispeller is the way it suggests, despite what we’ve been conditioned to believe in the west, that there are often no good or bad guys in a troubled marriage. Sometimes everybody hurts.

Nov 6, 2025

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Lo chronicles a tangled real-life drama whose mechanizations almost defy belief. Nonetheless, or perhaps as a result, it’s hard to look away—this is fascinating stuff.

Oct 30, 2025

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/25/25

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Elizabeth Lo

Director

Elizabeth Lo

Writer

Charlotte Munch Bengtsen

Writer

Elizabeth Lo

Producer

Maggie Li

Producer

Emma D. Miller

Producer

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Synopsis

In China, a new industry has emerged devoted to helping couples stay married in the face of infidelity. Wang Zhenxi is part of this growing profession, a "mistress dispeller" who is hired to maintain the bonds of marriage -- and break up affairs -- by any means necessary. Offering strikingly intimate access to private dramas usually hidden behind closed doors, Mistress Dispeller follows a real, unfolding case of infidelity as Teacher Wang attempts to bring a couple back from the edge of crisis. Their story shifts our sympathies between husband, wife and mistress to explore the ways emotion, pragmatism and cultural norms collide to shape romantic relationships in contemporary China.

Director: Elizabeth Lo
Producer: Elizabeth Lo, Maggie Li, Emma D. Miller
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Lo, Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, Elizabeth Lo
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: Marcona Media, After Argos Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 34m