Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- smoky
- melancholic
- tense
- late night noir viewing
- period thriller marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the period political drama undermined by a weak story and clunky direction, leaving its noir intrigue ineffective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paul Soames returns to Shanghai to investigate his friend's murder and becomes entangled in wider political corruption.
Paul's relationship with Anna develops while Shanghai is controlled by Japanese forces and threatened by competing political interests.
The film combines occupied Shanghai, espionage, betrayal, and a visually stylized noir atmosphere.
The death of Paul's friend leads him from a private investigation toward a much broader political secret.
Films like Shanghai, and why
The Third Man
period neo-noir mystery involving corruption, political intrigue, and an American investigator abroad
Casablanca
romantic espionage thriller set amid wartime occupation and moral compromise
The Painted Veil
stylish historical mystery built around betrayal, forbidden romance, and political conspiracy
Movie Details
- Director
- Mikael Håfström
- Release Date
- 2010-06-10
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (202)
Cast
- John Cusack
- Gong Li
- Chow Yun-Fat
- David Morse
- Ken Watanabe
- Franka Potente
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan
- Hugh Bonneville
- Hon Ping Tang
- Benedict Wong
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shanghai about?
- In occupied Shanghai, an American investigator's search for his murdered friend exposes a dangerous web of romance, espionage, and political betrayal.
- What is Shanghai like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shanghai as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Shanghai violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Shanghai as moderate.
- What did critics think of Shanghai?
- Critics broadly found the period political drama undermined by a weak story and clunky direction, leaving its noir intrigue ineffective.
- Which films are like Shanghai?
- Films with a similar feel include The Third Man, Casablanca, and The Painted Veil.
- How long is Shanghai?
- Shanghai runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shanghai?
- In United States, Shanghai streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
