Zhang Yimou's latest film, Scare Out, is a spy thriller that fails to deliver on its promise of substance, despite its stylish visuals and fast-paced editing. Once hailed as a darling of the West and a key figure in China's 'fifth generation' of filmmakers, Zhang has now become an establishment figure, known for his state-sponsored spectacles. Scare Out, set in the futuristic metropolis of Shenzhen, follows a group of spies trying to flush out a mole who is smuggling super-secret tech to western rivals. However, the film's screenplay, credited to Chen Liang, focuses more on personal loyalty and the use of drones and AI-powered kit than on ideology or technology. The film's pre-publicity hype, which draws parallels with John Le Carré, is more akin to a cross between Mission: Impossible and the Infernal Affairs franchise. While Zhu Yilong is watchable as a spymaster with secrets of his own, the film lacks the psychological depth of the original Infernal Affairs film. Scare Out is all style and little substance, with the last 15 minutes performing an acrobatic display of twists that is more like an Olympic ice-skating display than a compelling narrative. Despite Zhang's incredible command of the craft, the film fails to engage and leaves viewers wanting more.
