Dumplings
A desperate former television star pursues rejuvenation through a cook's forbidden dumplings, exposing the monstrous cost of beauty and marital desire.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- disturbing
- claustrophobic
- transgressive
- late night horror viewing
- arthouse horror marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The rejuvenation treatment depends on an unsettling pregnancy-related ingredient and abortion imagery.
Mrs. Li pursues youth to regain desirability within a marriage shaped by male infidelity and status.
The film combines incestuous pregnancy, abortion, and cannibalistic implications to generate sustained unease.
Mei's rejuvenation dumplings promise renewed attractiveness while their preparation exposes increasingly disturbing consequences.
Films like Dumplings, and why
The Substance
shares body horror, taboo themes, social critique, and disturbing transformations
The Fly
shares grotesque horror, bodily corruption, and transgressive reproductive imagery
Possession
shares feminist horror, unsettling domestic relationships, and visceral physical transformation
A Tale of Two Sisters
shares East Asian horror atmosphere, supernatural ambiguity, and psychological distress
Movie Details
- Director
- Fruit Chan
- Release Date
- 2004-08-19
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (268)
Cast
- Miriam Yeung Chin-Wah
- Bai Ling
- Tony Leung Ka-fai
- Pauline Lau
- Meme Tian Pu-Jun
- Miki Yeung Oi-Gan
- Wong Siu-Foon
- Wong Sum-Yuen
- Wu Wai-Man
- Ho-Man Chan
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dumplings about?
- A desperate former television star pursues rejuvenation through a cook's forbidden dumplings, exposing the monstrous cost of beauty and marital desire.
- What is Dumplings like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dumplings as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dumplings violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Dumplings as graphic.
- Which films are like Dumplings?
- Films with a similar feel include The Substance, The Fly, Possession, and A Tale of Two Sisters.
- How long is Dumplings?
- Dumplings runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dumplings?
- In United States, Dumplings is available to rent or buy from Fandango At Home.
