Verdict:Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.0/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Action, Drama genre.
Answer: Yes, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 81 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Last updated: January 11, 2026
Released in 1975, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once enters the Action genre with a narrative focused on Yao Hao (Chen Sing), is a young man whose father was assassinated and whose mother was killed in an attack on the funeral procession. Under the direction of Tsai Yang-Ming, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
The film is anchored by performances from Chan Sing. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
From a technical standpoint, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Beyond the narrative, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once resonates with current cultural themes in the Action space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
As of early 2026, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is available in theaters worldwide. For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
The plot of Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once centers on a unique premise within the Action landscape. Yao Hao (Chen Sing), is a young man whose father was assassinated and whose mother was killed in an attack on the funeral procession. He survives the attack and winds up at a Shaolin temple where he insists he wants to stay and become a monk. His beautiful fiancée (Lu Shu Chin) pleads with him to come back with her, but he refuses. The head monk, Brother Fa (Chan Wai Man), an orphan who's been at the monastery all his life and is expecting to succeed the current Shaolin Abbot, is jealous of the privileges Yao Hao has had in life and asks him questions about the outside world, including what it's like to touch a woman. Brother Fa's weakening resolve soon finds him leaving the monastery and falling into the clutches of Lord Eagle (Kam Kong), the Manchu ruler in the area who's trying to wipe out all resistance to Manchu/Ching rule. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 1975 cinema will find fairly predictable.
The ending of Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final verdict for Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once (1975): with an audience rating of 6/10, the reception has been divisive. It is a recommended for fans of Action, Drama cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1975 cinematic year.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once has received mixed reviews with a 6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is a Action, Drama movie that follows: Yao Hao (Chen Sing), is a young man whose father was assassinated and whose mother was killed in an attack on the funeral procession. He survives the attack and winds up at a Shaolin temple where he i...
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is classified as Action, Drama. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
Thou Shall Not Kill... But Once is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Yao Hao (Chen Sing), is a young man whose father was assassinated and whose mother was killed in an attack on the funeral procession. He survives the attack and winds up at a Shaolin temple where he insists he wants to stay and become a monk. His beautiful fiancée (Lu Shu Chin) pleads with him to come back with her, but he refuses. The head monk, Brother Fa (Chan Wai Man), an orphan who's been at the monastery all his life and is expecting to succeed the current Shaolin Abbot, is jealous of the privileges Yao Hao has had in life and asks him questions about the outside world, including what it's like to touch a woman. Brother Fa's weakening resolve soon finds him leaving the monastery and falling into the clutches of Lord Eagle (Kam Kong), the Manchu ruler in the area who's trying to wipe out all resistance to Manchu/Ching rule.
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