They found in each other their only hope
The film opens with an emotionally very hard scene: a student’s suicide, and from the start, the viewer understands that it will be difficult. BETTER DAYS has taken it upon itself to speak out against school harassment in all its pain and to talk about young people in difficult family situations. Two very hard subjects that are treated throughout the story without a pinch and with a poignant realism.Carried by incredible actors, the viewer drinks the story and cries with the characters throughout the two hours... They managed to find a perfect balance between showing the violence as it is, and still preserving the viewer (which I liked very much because I am not able to accept this kind of scene without turning away).
Throughout the two hours, the film is dedicated to denouncing the Chinese school system as a whole. Indeed, it puts a monumental pressure on its young people who have no other hope of finding a job and succeeding in life than entering the best universities in the country. We also discover all the rites of passage of a high school student who, for westerners like us, seem so outsized. It is incredible, for example, that the examinations to enter universities are considered a real national event mobilizing the police... If you are interested, there are many reports on the subject (I had seen one about South Korea in particular) that you can find on youtube or elsewhere on the net.
In short, all this to say that the pressure on students must be released on something... or someone. And this leads to serious abuses such as school harassment where a whole class will be (actively or passively) on one or more comrades. And you can imagine, this will be the case of our poor heroine.
I loved romance passionately... There are several scenes that have remained etched in my memory for their beauty or intensity. A powerful romance between two teenagers who found in each other their only hope.
The story revolves around three endearing, touching and realistic characters.
CHEN NIAN (Zhou Dong Yu) is a very introverted character who has locked himself in a sort of silence and who, out of fear and selfishness, chooses to let one of his comrades be harassed, hoping that he will not be in his shoes. He is an imperfect character who touches us with his humanity, his despair and his fierce struggle to get out of a disastrous family situation and the absence of his indebted mother.
XIAO BEI (Jackson Yi) is a street boy who no longer believes in anything and gives his life no meaning. Without a family, he had to learn to manage on his own and his days are punctuated by fights, small trafficking of all kinds and great solitude and precariousness. When he goes to meet CHEN NIAN, he will suddenly find a meaning to his existence and will base all his hopes on it... Even if it means sacrificing yourself for success.
Finally, the third character I wanted to talk about is this policeman, ZHENG YI (Yin Fang), a young man who starts in the profession and believes in justice. His ideals will soon be upset when he discovers with horror that he fails to protect our teenager and it is a character who touched me very much for all his efforts.
Frankly, everything was so perfect in BETTER DAYS... The direction is excellent and supports the drama of the film, the actors are extremely good in their roles, the adapted story of a novel (itself inspired by a true story) is moving... In short this film made me cry, made me smile also sometimes and above all moved me a lot throughout.
I can only advise you this huge crush!
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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?
