Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- paranoid
- foreboding
- tense
- historical thriller night
- spy movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a tense, visually accomplished historical spy thriller with strong action set pieces, though its plotting can be dense.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The mission is sold out by a traitor, forcing the agents to navigate infiltration and suspicion from the outset.
The agents parachute into the snowy terrain of Manchukuo and face exposure, pursuit, and isolation.
Communist agents operate against Japanese domination in the puppet state of Manchukuo.
Separated agents must communicate surveillance warnings while avoiding detection and preserving their cover.
Films like Cliff Walkers, and why
The Lives of Others
period espionage, divided loyalties, political intrigue, and sustained suspense
Black Book
wartime spycraft, betrayal, moral pressure, and covert missions under occupation
The Age of Shadows
stylized historical action, undercover resistance, and ensemble-driven tension
Lust, Caution
Chinese historical thriller atmosphere, state violence, and elaborate conspiratorial plotting
Movie Details
- Director
- Zhang Yimou
- Release Date
- 2021-04-30
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (125)
Cast
- Zhang Yi
- Yu Hewei
- Qin Hailu
- Zhu Yawen
- Liu Haocun
- Ni Dahong
- Li Naiwen
- Yu Ailei
- Fei Fan
- Lei Jiayin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Viki, AsianCrush, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cliff Walkers about?
- Four Communist agents confront betrayal, occupation, and lethal surveillance during a snowbound covert mission in 1930s Manchukuo.
- What is Cliff Walkers like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cliff Walkers as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cliff Walkers violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Cliff Walkers as brutal.
- What did critics think of Cliff Walkers?
- Critics broadly found the film a tense, visually accomplished historical spy thriller with strong action set pieces, though its plotting can be dense.
- Which films are like Cliff Walkers?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lives of Others, Black Book, The Age of Shadows, and Lust, Caution.
- How long is Cliff Walkers?
- Cliff Walkers runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cliff Walkers?
- In United States, Cliff Walkers streams on Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Viki, AsianCrush, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel.
