• Action
• Comedy
• Mystery

Detective Chinatown 1900 (2025)

Detective Chinatown 1900 (2025) is the fourth installment and a period‑piece prequel in the popular Detective Chinatown franchise. It premiered on January 29, 2025 (Chinese New Year) in China and rolled out across international markets including North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.🕵️‍♂️ Plot Highlights The film begins with a murder of a white congressman’s daughter in Chinatown, and Qin Fu and Ah Gui are raced against time (72 hours) to clear the name of Bai Zhenbang, who is accused of the crime. They navigate opium dens, secret societies, racial tension, and a serial‑killer subplot loosely tied to Jack the Ripper myths. Through their investigation, the film depicts anti‑Chinese xenophobia, the looming threat of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and community solidarity—anchored by vibrant set design and period detail.🎭 Critics Critical Reviews The Guardian rated it 3/5 stars, praising its smart pacing and cultural messaging, though noting an overtly political ending. AsianMoviePulse highlighted the strong visuals and ambitious production design, while finding tonal missteps around patriotism and stereotypes. Global Times described the film as a Chinese New Year tentpole combining humor with a thread of national pride and historical reflection.Mixed Reactions Some reviews (e.g. Film Threat, BlockbustersReviewed, IMDb users) criticized its overcrowded subplots, caricature-like characters, and tonal imbalance—some going as far as calling it a franchise low point. Reddit users noted the film’s "terrible racism backdrop" and felt that the ending turned overly propagandistic, dampening earlier enjoyment.Ratings Rotten Tomatoes shows an 85% critics' score (based on 5 reviews) and a full 100% audience rating, though sample sizes are small. IMDb user ratings generally cluster around 3–6/10, reflecting the divisive response.🌎 Global Box Office Summary Here’s the worldwide box office performance for Detective Chinatown 1900 (released January 29, 2025): Worldwide total gross: $503.46 million USD. This placed it 9th globally in the 2025 worldwide box office rankings. Domestic (China): approximately ¥3.62 billion RMB (~$453 million USD). International outside China: $2.23 million USD (44.6%), with $2.77 million USD from international distributor markets, totaling $2.23M + $2.77M = $4.999M USD, but note that this refers to limited Western theatrical release stats tracked by Box Office Mojo—much smaller scope.🧭 Conclusion Detective Chinatown 1900 is a wild mix of buddy-movie comedy, period-piece detective mystery, and social commentary. If you enjoy energetic slapstick set against a backdrop of historical injustice, buoyed by standout charisma from Chow Yun‑fat, this may appeal. However, if you prefer cohesive plotting, stronger character development, and subtlety in theme, the film may feel overreached and inconsistent. Despite its ups and downs, it remains a visually impressive and bold direction for the franchise—and another high‑grossing Chinese New Year hit to spark discussion. Read More

• 2025
• 2 h : 15 min
• 214 views
• 6.012
• MA 15+