Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)
Original title: Jiu Long cheng zhai • Wei cheng
Soi Cheang’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In throws us into the heart of the Kowloon Walled City, a labyrinthine sprawl of crime and community in pre-handover Hong Kong. Lost and adrift, Chan Lok-kwun (played by a capable newcomer) stumbles into this hidden world, forced to navigate its treacherous alleys and forge unlikely bonds with its denizens. While the fight choreography is undeniably impressive—think balletic brawls with a dash of Jackie Chan-esque acrobatics—the narrative itself struggles to find its footing.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its historical context. Cheang masterfully recreates the claustrophobic chaos of the Walled City, a place where desperation and resilience go hand-in-hand. The production design is phenomenal, capturing the grimy underbelly of the city in meticulous detail. We see makeshift markets, overflowing with life, nestled beneath the looming concrete jungle. This immersive world-building is further enhanced by the film’s colour palette. The muted greens and browns that predominate, punctuated by bursts of neon signage, perfectly reflect the harsh realities of life inside the walls.
However, the plot itself feels a tad derivative. The wide-eyed outsider finding redemption within a community on the fringes is a well-trodden path, and Twilight doesn’t offer much that’s fresh. Philip Ng’s portrayal of the main antagonist, who consumes scenery with gusto, comes off more like a caricature than a fully developed foe. The film also suffers from some pacing issues, particularly in the second half. The frenetic energy that propels the first act gives way to a drawn-out final showdown, complete with an overuse of CGI that detracts from the otherwise impressive fight choreography.
That being said, the performances elevate the material somewhat. Louis Koo exudes quiet charisma as a wise mentor figure, and Raymond Lam brings a relatable vulnerability to his role. The camaraderie between the young leads is believable, even if their characters lack depth. The editing, while occasionally frenetic, keeps the action sequences engaging, even if it sacrifices some clarity in the fight choreography.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a visually stunning and well-acted homage to a bygone era. It falters with a predictable narrative and some reliance on special effects, but the film’s heart lies in its exploration of a unique historical setting. Fans of Hong Kong action cinema and anyone interested in the Kowloon Walled City’s legacy will find much to appreciate here. However, those seeking a groundbreaking story or innovative action sequences might leave feeling a little shortchanged. Overall, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a fun, albeit familiar, ride through a fascinating world, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the genre’s best.