Just watch it (only if you're emotionally ready)
A great film that depicts a real problem still very present in our societies. Beautifully done, might I add...had me smiling, crying, and yelling the whole film at 4 am in my bed.This movie has become one of the new additions to my favourites list. I'd recommend it if you want to see a heartfelt story that has many aspects anyone could find relatable, especially for those in that stage between being a teenager and an adult.
Rewatch value only that low cuz I don't want to put myself through that again, but I'd be up for showing this to someone else.
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Raw and Real
Better Days (2019) is a visceral masterpiece that transcends the typical teen drama. Directed by Derek Tsang, it’s a raw, unflinching portrait of survival and sacrifice that you don't just watch—you feel.What makes the film extraordinary is its commitment to authenticity. The emotions are raw and ugly, making them painfully real. The bullying is shown with unflinching honesty, highlighting not just cruelty, but the systems that allow it to fester. It forces you to sit with discomfort, which makes the story heartbreakingly genuine.
The performances are breathtaking. Zhou Dongyu embodies vulnerability with quiet devastation—you see the weight of the world in her eyes. Jackson Yee is a revelation, disappearing into his role. Behind his rough exterior, he reveals profound tenderness with just a glance. Their chemistry isn't romanticized; it's built on shared silence and unspoken understanding.
Derek Tsang's direction makes you feel the exhaustion in their skin. The muted colors and dirty streets mirror the characters' suffocating weight, while intimate camera work makes the experience feel personal and private.
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Most realistic high school movie
Most C-series and movies I have watched which includes bullying are all just cringe and intolerable. The female lead will be cute and pouty while the male lead is the coolest, richest and most popular guy in school. There are more than tens of C-series which have this same trope. 🙂 But this movie was different. The cast executed their task at end perfectly giving way to this amazing movie. The cinematography of this movie was done so well. It looked very realistic and follows an amazing storyline to top it all up. ✨Was this review helpful to you?
This movie also shows us how different teenagers and adults act in situations like these. It's very rare to see movies of this kind nowdays and that's a very negative thing. A love story of a 'bad boy' (who is actually a HUGE softie and a HUGE green flag) and a girl desperate to succeed in order to live a better life with her mother. I truly loved this movie and I definetly recomment.
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GOD DAYUM
I’ve never left a review before on this site, but as the title says GOD DAYUM was this good. I completely agree with all the praise and appreciation this film has received. Months later and I’m still thinking about this film, if you are reading this, just go ahead a give it a watch and thank me later! The leads in this film are phenomenal actors, the cinematography is superb, the atmosphere is brilliant and the story is incredibly sincere. I’ll recommend this to anyone and everyone.(Check the triggers for this one though as it could be a difficult watch for some people)
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pleasantly surprised
I think this was my first modern Chinese movie. I have seen all the hype and I am pleasantly surprised. This was so good. I thought I would be able to predict some plot lines, but there were so many plot twists. I was just as emotional as you'd expect it to be. Acting was phenomenal; you could truly feel it through the screen. Not really a happy ending, but it is an ending I am satisfied with because justice was served no matter what. Loved it.Was this review helpful to you?
The acting is top-notch. The actors did a great job, specially the two main leads Jackson Yee and Zhou Dong Yu. I loved the cinematography.
I highly recommend people to read the book this movie is adapted from "The youthful you who was so beautiful" by Jiu Yue Xi.
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Perfect film
I recommend it only if you can watch heavy themes. It was executed perfectly, I watched Cry Me a Sad River not long after this and it's also a very great movie to watch. But you really felt how they felt, the unfairness, the hate, the anger, the betrayal and the love. Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee did really well and they matched the vibe of it all. I would watch again, there's only good things I can write about the film. It is perfect, I did cry quite a bit and I was glad to see the changes that happened in the overall issue of bullying in China. Nobody should have to be abused in any way.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE I WATCHED IN SO LONG
I watched this movie because of a tiktok edit yes kinda embarrassing but I am so glad, I watched it. I've never expected myself to like this movie as much as I did. I even maid my cousin watch it that's how obsessed I was with it. Anything related to someone getting bullied and them healing. I eat that shit up every-time. But this story it was something special the acting, the way the ml cared so much about her, It mean't so much to me. Also that one line in story where he says "You protect the world, I will protect you" HAS ME ON A CHOCK HOLD EVERY TIME OMGG. The only sorta complaint I got is the ending well personally I'm not a fan of bittersweet ending it could even be called an open ending. I've noticed a pattern that all the good things in media always have endings like this which makes sense because if there's a very specific ending people will always get hate for it example would be the author of AOT I totally recommend watching this movie, I wish I could watch it again or even see someone watch it for the first time.Was this review helpful to you?
Til The End
So first and most importantly if you can't handle real life scenario bullying TURN BACK!! In all honesty, I was worried to watch this strictly because there's a tag that says 'tearjerker'. I'm not built for crying and the fact the main plot of this movie is bullying, hits me hard as a mother. I held strong...til the end. lol The acting was amazing! I felt all the emotions from the main characters and the music was touching as well. I was bullied briefly a few miscellaneous years of school but fortunately for me, I never felt anything close to the impact many others do. Even as an American, this movie definitely portrays the same issue...getting the police and school system to take you seriously and actually help you. The romance was so perfect in everyway that I can honestly say I don't want anything added or taken away. Worth the watch but can be emotionally draining.Was this review helpful to you?
Heartbreaking!
One of the best movies I`ve seen this year! It was so beautiful I cried and laugh! The characters were so adorabel and I just loved how beautiful it was! I watched it at night and i literally stayed up for much longer then i wanted to watch and I cried so much, but then also I really loved their romance and chemistry and how their characters were! Also this whole movie has kind of a vibe! So thats why I gave it 10 stars and I guess this is a movie everyone should watch at least once in their lifetimes!Was this review helpful to you?
Wonderfully told. Beautiful story that can make you cry for many reasons.
This is a very beautiful film! No wonder it was nominated in Oscars for Best International Film. I think it also deserves to win it all. Made me cry from the start up to end. I cried because it's sad, I also cried because of anger. I cried because of the destructive events in this movie and I cried the most in the end because of happiness and fulfillment.This movie told a wonderful story about bullying and seeing hope despite what's happening to you. The performance of the two main leads is a masterpiece. I can see the hardships in their eyes very clearly as if they are the true persons behind the story they are telling to us. The love they had is very pure and seeing their lonely eyes makes me cry.
The theme of this movie was on point and perfectly blends to the cinematography to deliver the right feelings to the viewers.
Everything in this film is just beautiful, might be heartbreaking but the resolution of the movie will give you relief. This is a must watch movie especially to those who experienced and seen any types of bullying. After watching this, now it's one of my favorite movie of all time!
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