Overview
A gripping tale of survival and deception unfolds as a man is caught in a deadly web of crime.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- exhilarating
- playful
- tense
- action movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an exhilarating, clever fusion of martial-arts spectacle and brainy noir, while finding its energy somewhat over-amped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Detective Xu Baijiu reconstructs the murder through physical evidence and anatomical deductions, turning the fight scenes into clues.
Papermaker Liu Jinxi is suspected of being the criminal Tang Long, making hidden identity and latent violence central to the conflict.
The film combines traditional wuxia combat and honor codes with noir investigation, forensic analysis, and a contemporary thriller rhythm.
Its celebrated choreography and cinematography emphasize the physical mechanics of violence and Xu’s deductions about how the killings occurred.
Films like Dragon, and why
A History of Violence
martial-arts action fused with investigative noir, identity anxiety, and a hidden violent past
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
period martial-arts spectacle combining detective intrigue, morally complex characters, and kinetic choreography
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
stylized wuxia action, concealed identities, honor conflicts, and an atmosphere of suspicion
Infernal Affairs
crime thriller centered on identity, family violence, and the revelation of a dangerous past
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Chan
- Release Date
- 2011-07-04
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (328)
Cast
- Donnie Yen
- Takeshi Kaneshiro
- Tang Wei
- Jimmy Wang Yu
- Kara Wai Ying-Hung
- Yin Zhusheng
- Zheng Wei
- Li Jia-Min
- Yu Kang
- Kenji Tanigaki
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dragon about?
- A seemingly ordinary papermaker becomes the focus of a forensic detective’s martial-arts investigation when his violent past resurfaces.
- What is Dragon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dragon as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Dragon violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Dragon as brutal.
- What did critics think of Dragon?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an exhilarating, clever fusion of martial-arts spectacle and brainy noir, while finding its energy somewhat over-amped.
- Which films are like Dragon?
- Films with a similar feel include A History of Violence, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Infernal Affairs.
- How long is Dragon?
- Dragon runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dragon?
- In United States, Dragon is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
