Quick Links
Hong Kongactionmovies are so breathtaking that they could easily be considered their own genre. If you’re looking for something to satisfy your fight-night cravings, there’s a perfect option waiting for you. Released in 2024, this film became the highest-grossing movie in Hong Kong this year and even stars a veteranactionlegend.
It’s not often that a stunt exhibition film manages to win over critics, make a drastic impact at the box office, and impress audiences worldwide. But it’s possible that this film may have passed under people’s radars, so it’s worth giving a shoutout to this absolutehigh-octane fight fest. The film in question isTwilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which brings together some of Hong Kong cinema’s iconic action talent in a brutal setting.
What IsTwilight Of The Warriors: Walled InAbout?
Territorial Battles In 80s Hong Kong
The film is set against the 1980s backdrop of Hong Kong’s infamous Kowloon Walled City, several years after a bloody turf war.Twilight of the Warriors: Walled Inrevolves around young refugee andunderground fighterChan Lok-kwan, who enters the city after getting into trouble with a feared triad boss. Lok-kwan meets Cyclone, a martial arts master turned local crime lord, who governs the enclave with a mix of authority and compassion. Some old, unresolved truths about Lok-kwan emerge, setting up an epic clash against the triads attempting to take over the Walled City.
126 minutes
City of Darknessby Yuyi
IsTwilight Of The Warriors: Walled InBased On A True Story?
And it isn’t just the plot that sounds stuffed; the film is also stacked with adrenaline-pumping action sequences to keep up with the story. Based on the novelCity of Darknessby Yuyi, which was later adapted into amanhua (Chinese comic)by Andy Seto, the film has been in development for a long time, dating back to the early 2000s.Twilight of the Warriors: Walled Incaptures a lost part of 1980s Hong Kong cinema at its finest and pays homage to it in the best possible way. This is evident in its massive commercial success, as well as its selection as Hong Kong’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at theupcoming Academy Awards.
Who is Sammo Hung?
Mr. Big InTwilight Of The Warriors: Walled In
The veteran action star mentioned earlier is none other thanHong Kong legend Sammo Hung. InTwilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Hung plays Mr. Big, the syndicate crime boss from whom Lok-kwan steals drugs before fleeing to the Walled City. It’s Mr. Big and his gang, who attempt to take over the territory, setting the stage for all the action-packed battles that follow. It’s fitting that the 72-year-old actor takes on such a crucial role in the film, given his influence as one of the key figures who spearheaded themartial arts genrein the 1980s Hong Kong cinema.
Martial Arts Cinema’s Big Brother
Hung has starred in 75 films and worked on over 230 films in various capacities, including as a fight choreographer, stunt coordinator, action director, stuntman, and more. For the uninitiated, Sammo Hung was part of the Three Dragons trio in the 1980s, alongsideglobal superstar Jackie Chanand Yuen Biao. In fact, both Hung and Jackie Chan were often referred to asDai Go, meaning “big brother.” Later, Hung earned the titleDai Go Dai, meaning “the biggest big brother,” which speaks volumes about his impact on the industry and culture.
Ensemble Cast And Original Plans
Starring alongside Hung in the film is another Hong Kong film stalwart, Louis Koo, best known for his work inRob-B-Hood. Now, the central character, Chan Lok-kwan, is played by Raymond Lam, another actor with a significant standing in the industry. Originally, the martial arts vehicle was meant to include even more names in itsmissed ensemble cast. This included internationally renowned stars such as Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, and Tony Leung. It reportedly even had plans for some exciting cameos from Nicolas Cage and James McAvoy.
Who Was Supposed To Direct The Film?
Furthermore,Twilight of the Warriors: Walled Insaw a lot of shifts in its director’s chair too. At first, it was planned to beco-directed by John Wooand Johnnie To – two of the most celebrated Hong Kong action filmmakers, whose influences can be seen inQuentin Tarantino’s films. But the movie was revived much later in 2021, after being stuck in development limbo, and finally reached the capable hands of Soi Cheang, who has done a remarkable job with this hyperkinetic genre exercise.
Where to WatchTwilight of the Warriors: Walled In
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled Inis available for streaming onAmazon Prime Videoin the United States. It is also available for rent on other platforms, like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Spectrum.
The film hit theaters in Hong Kong and China on July 06, 2025, becoming thesecond-highest-grossing domestic filmof all time, after 2023’s legal drama hit,A Guilty Conscience. Apart from being Hong Kong’s official Oscar submission, the film was also selected for the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. So, look no further thanTwilight of the Warriors: Walled Inif you’re in need of a pure and visceral martial artsactionepic, on par with 1980s Hong Kong classics.
Prime Video
Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service that began as Amazon Unbox back in September 2006. The streaming service has gone through many rebrandings over the year but has managed to successfully compete with other streamers such as Netflix, Max, and Disney+. Some of their most notable titles include The Boys, Carnival Row, and Sound of Metal.
