Movie

Shaolin Mantis

1978 · 100 min

A patient, elegant martial-arts tragedy where tender romance and intricate training give way to a bitter, freeze-frame betrayal.

Tagline: Now that he learned the secret... he was ready to kill!
Overview: When scholar Wei Fung is forcibly hired by the Manchu Emperor to infiltrate a clan of rebellious Ming Loyalists, his mission goes adrift when he falls in love with the clan's leader's granddaughter. Wei Fung must choose between his new love and his family, who will be put to death if he doesn't return to the palace successfully.
How it feels: Tense, melancholic, earnest and dark. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Betrayal, loyalty, love, family
Content: Strong violence. Mild gore and language. No sexual content.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: tensestrength 2 of 3
melancholicstrength 2 of 3
earneststrength 2 of 3
darkstrength 1 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: betrayal
loyalty
love
family
identity
Places: single country house
countryside
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: twist ending
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language mild
Violence strong
Sex none