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So Close

So Close

Looks can be deceiving.

2002111 minRMidcredits score: 71st percentile of all films
Director
Corey Yuen
Starring
Shu Qi, Wei Zhao, Karen Mok, Song Seung-heon

A conflict of interest between two high-kicking assassin sisters is complicated as they're pursued by the criminals who hired them and an equally high-kicking female cop.

Where to watch

Where can I watch So Close?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists So Close to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about So Close?

So Close earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Cathartic.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is So Close worth watching?

So Close's Midcredits score is the 71st percentile of all films, from 14K ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

71st percentile

Better received than 71% of films

83rd percentile among Action69th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)69th
Approval (how many liked it)70th

67 /100

69th percentile of all films

83rd percentile among Action68th percentile among 2000s

Critics 66 · Audience 67

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

80th percentile among Action68th percentile among 2000s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 82% · Audience 77%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

86th percentile

14K ratings across platforms

76th percentile among Action79th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

Box office

BudgetCN¥40M

In Chinese yuan, not converted to dollars.

Opening weekend$32K
Domestic gross$77K
Worldwide gross$810K

33rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slick, style-over-substance Hong Kong action movie that prioritizes glamorous spectacle and fight choreography over a coherent plot and realistic physics.

Fans praised

  • slick, stylish action choreography with inventive wirework and gun-fu
  • appealing, charismatic female leads (Shu Qi, Zhao Wei, Karen Mok) with on-screen chemistry
  • unpretentious, fun popcorn entertainment prioritizing spectacle over substance

Detractors panned

  • dumb, illogical plot riddled with clichés and predictable twists
  • obvious fake CGI (especially breaking glass) and visible wire rigs
  • wooden, shallow characters and stilted dialogue

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive70

glossy, stylish visuals with creative shot composition and use of close-ups

Sound and musicDivisive65

memorable use of Carpenters' 'Close to You'; score otherwise generic

ActingDivisive58

charismatic but limited performances; natural appeal outweighs dramatic range

Effects and spectacleDivisive50

ambitious but uneven CGI; obvious fake glass and wires detract

CharactersDivisive35

shallow cardboard cutouts with little depth or motivation

Originality30

derivative Charlie's Angels/The Matrix hybrid with few fresh ideas

Plot and story20

preposterous revenge story full of clichés and illogical twists

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 13 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is So Close like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense, never lets up and leaves you satisfied.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrilling
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsMelodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its high-concept action and melodramatic romance straight, with earnest performances.
The rideThe film maintains a constant high-pressure action and emotional tension from the opening virus attack to the final confrontation.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the assassination through the investigation to the final showdown.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Satisfied.

Cathartic · 6% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film combines high-octane action with a tragic family backstory and a romantic reunion, leaving a mix of excitement and melancholy.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% (this title) · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Corporate villainy: A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).

21% of films fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe film follows assassins hired to kill a corporate brother, but the employer double-crosses them, leading to a confrontation between the assassins, the cop, and the corporate villain. Lynn's desire to leave the assassin life adds a redemption subplot.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSelf-worth
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsJustice · 13% of filmsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeLynn questions her identity as an assassin and seeks a new life, while the theme of justice is explored through the cop and the vigilante actions of the sisters.
StanceThe film questions the morality of assassination and whether justice can be served by criminals, without fully celebrating the vigilante path.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanStylized realism
ElectronicSupportive music · original score · Sam Kao
SettingA high-tech Hong Kong cityscape with corporate headquarters and underworld hideouts.
MusicThe score blends electronic beats with orchestral stabs to heighten action sequences.

Content guide

Is So Close okay for kids?

R

So Close is rated R: “Rated R for pervasive violence and a sexual conversation” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (60/100), sexual content at mild (27/100), language at moderate (39/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at intense (60/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • Germany16
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Poland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 21%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (32 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does So Close have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in So Close?

Cast

Shu Qi
as Lynn
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Wei Zhao
as Sue
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Karen Mok
as Kong Yat Hung
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Song Seung-heon
as Yen
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.
Yasuaki Kurata
as Master
Michael Wai
as Ma Siu Ma
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Sau Shek
as Chow Lui
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Josie Ho
as Ching
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Henry Fong
as Dad
Hee Ching Paw
as Mom
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

Directed by

Corey Yuen

Written by

Jeffrey Lau

Cinematography

Kwok-Man Keung

Edited by

Ka-Fai Cheung

Music by

Sam KaoKenji Tan

Produced by

Bo-Chu Chui

More like this

What are movies like So Close?

Movies like So Close include Dragons Forever (1988), The Bodyguard from Beijing (1994) and My Father Is a Hero (1995). Of the 12 closest matches, all are martial-arts films, and most are films about law enforcement.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Corey Yuen directed 5 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with So Close?

445 other films share the rarest tag below, follows: hitman. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.