Aftershock
Seen it?2010 | 135 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 4 times its budget, despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 15 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Chinese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Tangshan, 1976. Two seven-year-old twins are buried under the rubble of the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century. The rescue team explains to their mother that freeing either child will almost certainly result in the death of the other. Forced to make the most difficult decision of her life, she finally chooses to save her son. Though left behind as dead, the little girl miraculously survives, unbeknownst to her brother and mother.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
2 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$108 million worldwide on a $25 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 24K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
What Maisie Knew
Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
F.I.S.T. Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Hereafter
Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Light of My Life Sunday Safe BetAnother drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Fatima Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Feng Xiaogang
- Xu FanLi Yuanni
- Zhang JingchuFang Deng
- Wang ZiwenXiao He
- Chen DaomingWang Deqing
- Jerry LeeFang Da
- Chen JinGuilan Dong
- Zhang GuoqiangFang Daqiang
- Zhang ZifengYoung Fang Deng
- Zhang Jia-JunYoung Fang Da
- Lü ZhongFang Da Qiang's Mother