7 edge-of-the-seat Chinese thriller movies for beginners that promise a suspenseful and action-packed binge-watch session; on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and more

7 edge-of-the-seat Chinese thriller movies for beginners that promise a suspenseful and action-packed binge-watch session; on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and more

1. Kung Fu Jungle – Amazon Prime Video

This martial arts thriller blends high-octane action with suspenseful storytelling and stars Ip Man actor Donnie Yen in the lead role. The plot revolves around Hahou Mo (Donnie Yen), a martial arts instructor, who is imprisoned after accidentally killing a man during a fight. When a serial killer starts targeting martial arts masters, one of them being Hahou’s mentor, across the city, he offers inspector Luk Yuen-Sum to help catch the killer in exchange for his freedom. Hahou and Luk embark on a thrilling mission to stop the killer before s/he strikes again. The movie is a love letter to classic martial arts cinema, featuring intense fight choreography and the various martial arts disciplines.

2. Shinjuku Incident – Amazon Prime Video

Veteran actor Jackie Chan headlines this gritty crime-thriller that sees him in one of his rare serious roles. Unlike Chan’s usual action-comedy movies, Shinjuku Incident takes a darker turn, focusing on the grim realities of immigrant life, crime, and survival in the underworld. The story follows Steelhead (Chan), a Chinese immigrant, who arrives in Japan’s Shinjuku district to find his lost girlfriend. However, he finds himself thrust into the violent world of the Yakuza, Japan’s notorious crime syndicate. As Steelhead rises through the ranks, he is forced to make moral compromises to survive, protect those he cares about, and find the love of his life. The movie makes for a compelling watch for those interested in a dramatic and thought-provoking crime thriller.

3. New Police Story – Amazon Prime Video

Starring Jackie Chan, the movie is a reboot of sorts, of the superhit Police Story franchise, offering a more dramatic take on the story while retaining the high-octane action and stunt work that the series is known for. Inspector Chan Kwok-wing (Chan), a highly-respected police officer, is distraught after a botched mission leads to the deaths of his team members at the hands of a ruthless gang of young criminals. Plagued by guilt and depression, Kwok-wing becomes an alcoholic and is dismissed from the police force. But, his life changes when a young officer, Frank Cheng Siu-fung (Nicholas Tse), approaches him and forces him to return to the field to stop the gang. Motivated by Frank’s encouragement, Kwok-wing embarks on a new mission to avenge his colleagues’ death. The movie blends explosive action sequences with a more personal and emotional storyline.

4. The Great Hypnotist – Viki Rakuten

Dr. Xu Rui Ning (Xu Zheng) is a renowned psychologist, who prides himself in using hypnotherapy to treat even the most difficult patients. His skills are tested when he takes on a new patient, Ren Xiaoyan (Karen Mok), whose case seems to defy all logic and conventional treatment when she claims she can see ghosts. As the sessions progress, the lines between reality and illusion blur, with shocking revelations coming to the fore, challenging the doctor and the audience’s understanding of truth. The masterfully crafted movie, with a tense atmosphere, compelling performances, and a gripping plot, keeps viewers guessing until the end.

5. Lost in the Stars – Netflix

Based on the Russian movie The Trap (2007), this Chinese thriller presents a gripping narrative that explores the dark side of relationships. The story revolves around He Fei, who is celebrating his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Li Muzi, on an island in Southeast Asia. When Li Muzi goes missing, He Fei goes on a desperate search to find her. The situation takes a shocking turn when a woman suddenly appears, claiming to be his wife, and even more unsettling is the fact that she has documents and evidence to prove her identity. With everyone around him convinced by this impostor, He Fei struggles to uncover the truth, save his real wife, and come out of the nightmarish situation. This emotionally-charged, tense Chinese thriller movie keeps you on the edge of your seat with unpredictable twists.

6. Manhunt (2017) – Netflix

This stylish action thriller is a remake of the 1976 Japanese movie of the same name and marks the return of the legendary director John Woo’s to the genre. The plot follows Du Qiu (Zhang Hanyu), a Chinese lawyer working in Japan, who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and becomes a fugitive, determined to clear his name. Along the way, he is pursued by a detective, Yamura (Masaharu Fukuyama), who starts having second thoughts about Du Qiu’s sentence and questions the truth behind the conspiracy. The movie is packed with high-energy action scenes, including gunfights, chases, and hand-to-hand combat.

7. Operation Mekong – Amazon Prime Video

Inspired by real-life events, this thriller is based on the infamous Mekong River massacre, where 13 Chinese sailors were killed by drug traffickers. The plot follows a special task force led by Captain Gao Gang (Zhang Hanyu), who is assigned to investigate the massacre. The case leads the team into the dangerous world of drug trafficking along the Mekong River. The plot centres around their efforts to dismantle a powerful drug cartel and bring those responsible for the killings to justice. The dynamic storytelling, impressive visuals, and noteworthy performances by its cast make it a standout movie in the Chinese thriller genre.