Resurrection
"Resurrection (2025)" is an epic science fiction drama film directed by Bi Gan, acclaimed for its visually stunning and narratively complex approach. Set in a future where humanity trades dreams for immortality, the story follows a 'Deliriant' – a dying monster capable of dreaming – and Miss Shu, a woman who guides him through his final 'dreams' via a film projector installed in his body. These dreams span a century of Chinese history, exploring various cinematic genres and human senses across six distinct segments. The film is a philosophical exploration of memory, cinema, and the human experience, rather than a straightforward narrative. It has garnered critical praise for its artistic ambition and unique visual style, making it suitable for mature audiences interested in experimental and thought-provoking cinema.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains depictions of violence with a 'Strong impact,' including armed robbery and characters being shot. The narrative segments incorporate elements of war-time thrillers and gangster films, implying frequent confrontations.
In one dream sequence, fellow con men rob a character 'at knifepoint'. Later, in a 1999 New Year's Eve segment, the Deliriant, as 'Apollo,' 'is shot and left for dead' during a fight with mob boss Mr. Luo's gang at a karaoke bar. Another segment is described as a 'shadow-drenched 1940s noir set in a train station demolished by air raids gripped by paranoia', suggesting a backdrop of conflict and potential violence.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe film includes a prominent romantic storyline involving a vampire, featuring passionate kissing and implied blood consumption, categorized as 'Mild impact' for nudity and 'None' for explicit sex by official ratings.
A 'delirious vampire love story' forms one of the chapters, featuring a young man named Apollo and a 'vampire' girl, Tai Zhaomei. Apollo 'lets her drink his blood' and they 'kiss passionately in the moments before sunrise'. Another instance mentions the 'young man holds out his arm to the young woman he just met, who grins and teasingly chomps down'. The Australian Classification Board rated 'Sex None' and 'Nudity Mild impact'.
Witchcraft & Occult
MediumThe film heavily features supernatural and occult themes, including a haunted Buddhist temple, interactions with a 'Spirit of Bitterness,' and a vampire character, which are central to various dream segments.
One segment involves the Deliriant becoming a 'monster' and a 'Nosferatu-like dream-eating creature'. Another chapter is 'set in the ruins of a Buddhist temple, involving a thief and a trickster god', where the character encounters the 'chatty Spirit of Bitterness'. A scene also describes a voice instructing a character to 'break a tooth with a shard from a shattered Buddha statue'.
Substance Use
MediumThe movie explicitly depicts drug use, specifically opium, as a key plot point for the Deliriant character to fuel his dreams, with a 'Mild impact' classification.
In the initial dream sequence, Miss Shu discovers the Deliriant 'eating poppies at an opium den to desperately fuel his dreams'. The Deliriant character is described as being 'possessed by an opium addiction'. The Australian Classification Board rated 'Drug use Mild impact'.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe film incorporates elements of horror, suspense, and psychological intensity, with a 'Strong themes, fantasy themes and violence' advisory. It features monstrous imagery and unsettling dreamscapes.
The protagonist is introduced as a 'dying monster' and 'Nosferatu-like' creature. The film's narrative involves an odyssey through 'illusion, beauty, and terror'. One segment is described as a 'shadow-drenched 1940s noir set in a train station demolished by air raids gripped by paranoia', contributing to an intense atmosphere. Another image portrays a 'haunting silhouette of a man cloaked in smoke and shadows morphs into a monster behind the looking glass'.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe film's philosophical framework is deeply rooted in Buddhist thought, focusing on concepts like reincarnation and the six senses, which presents a worldview that significantly differs from and implicitly contrasts with traditional Christian teachings on resurrection and the afterlife. While not explicitly anti-Christian, this alternative spiritual perspective is fundamental to the narrative.
The film's six segments each correspond to 'one of the six senses recognized in Buddhist thought: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind'. The narrative explicitly deals with themes of 'reincarnation' as the Deliriant 'reincarnates' through different forms and eras. This contrasts with the Christian understanding of a singular resurrection after death.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowComprehensive searches for LGBTQ+ and gender identity content within "Resurrection (2025)" did not yield any specific mentions of LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation in the film's plot, reviews, or director's statements. Other search results about 'Resurrection' and LGBTQ+ topics referred to unrelated media or general discussions.
No specific examples of LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or themes were found in the available plot summaries or critical reviews for "Resurrection (2025)". Other search results containing 'lgbtq' keywords were for different films or general articles, such as 'Trans Resurrection' referring to a Medium article on trans people's relationship with death, not the movie, and 'The History of Sound' being a separate gay romance film at Cannes 2025.
Profanity
LowThe film is noted to have 'Mild impact' regarding language, suggesting that profanity is present but not frequent or intense.
The Australian Classification Board provides a 'Mild impact' rating for language. No specific instances or quotes of strong profanity were highlighted in the available reviews, indicating that its use is minimal and not a central concern.
Disrespect & Rebellion
LowWhile not a central theme, instances of rebellious and disrespectful behavior are present through characters involved in criminal activities.
One of the dream segments features a 'con artist and his orphan apprentice who allege they can identify playing cards by smell'. Another character, Apollo, is described as a 'reckless young hoodlum', who engages in a fight with a mob boss. These instances involve characters operating outside societal laws, representing forms of rebellion or disrespect for authority.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
MA 15+. This recommendation is based on the Australian Classification Board's rating, which cites 'Strong themes, fantasy themes and violence,' along with 'Mild impact' for language, drug use, and nudity. The film's complex narrative, philosophical undertones, and mature themes, including death, violence, and addiction, suggest it is best suited for viewers aged 15 and older.
Additional Notes
The film's highly artistic and experimental nature, characterized by its non-linear narrative, shifting cinematic styles, and abstract imagery, may be challenging for younger viewers or those accustomed to conventional storytelling. Its extensive use of visual metaphors and philosophical concepts requires a degree of maturity and open-mindedness to fully engage with the content. The film's long take sequences and deliberate pacing are stylistic choices that could affect viewer experience.
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