The Criminal Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Movie Overview: The Criminal
| Movie | The Criminal |
| Release Year | 1977 |
| Director | Su Li |
| Genre | Drama / Crime |
| Runtime | 88 minutes (1h 28m) |
| Language | ZH |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Criminal (1977) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 8.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Criminal are led by Jimmy Wang Yu . The supporting cast, including Yin Wang and Lee Hsiang , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Criminal stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Criminal has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Criminal
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1977, The Criminal is a Drama, Crime film directed by Su Li, written by Chang Te-mo. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jimmy Wang Yu as Hung Ta Hao.
Ending Explained: The Criminal
The Criminal Ending Explained: Directed by Su Li, The Criminal delivers a satisfying and emotionally impactful resolution. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Jimmy Wang Yu. Many viewers have praised the way the narrative builds toward its final moments.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Criminal leave a lasting impression and strengthen the overall impact of the story.
The Criminal Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Criminal Based on a True Story?
The Criminal draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a drama, crime film directed by Su Li, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film balances factual inspiration with cinematic storytelling. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
Many viewers have praised the film for respecting the spirit of the real events.
Accuracy Assessment: The Criminal successfully adapts real-world inspiration into a compelling cinematic story. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Criminal?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
At just 88 minutes, it's a quick watch.
The Criminal Parents Guide & Age Rating
1977 AdvisoryWondering about The Criminal age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Criminal (1977) is 88 minutes (1h 28m). Directed by Su Li, the film runs for 88 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 8.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Criminal is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1977 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Criminal worth watching?
The Criminal is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 8/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Criminal parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Criminal identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Criminal (1977)?
The runtime of The Criminal (1977) is 88 minutes (approximately 1h 28m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
