Better Days

"You protect the world. I'll protect you."

2019 2h 15m ZH

🙌

8.1

BANGER

★8.1TMDB · 588

DramaCrimeRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A bullied teenage girl forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious young man who protects her from her assailants, while she copes with the pressures of her final examinations.

“You protect the world. I'll protect you.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Zhou Dongyu
Chen Nian
Jackson Yee
Xiao Bei
Yin Fang
Zheng Yi
Huang Jue
Lao Yang
Wu Yue
Chen Nian's Mother
Zhou Ye
Wei Lai
Zhang Yifan
Hu Xiaodie
Liu Ran
Luo Ting

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung
Writers: Lam Wing-Sum, Li Yuan, Xu Yimeng
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, shot by Yu Jing-pin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Varqa Buehrer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Zhang Yibo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee and Yin Fang carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "You protect the world. I'll protect you.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt9586294 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung directs. Yu Jing-pin behind the camera. Varqa Buehrer scores. Zhang Yibo cuts. Produced in China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 7 years ago.
2International production across 3 countries: China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom.
3Directed by Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung, shot by Yu Jing-pin. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Varqa Buehrer. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Zhang Yibo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee and Yin Fang carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "You protect the world. I'll protect you.".
8IMDB entry: tt9586294 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Classified under 8 themes, including "affectation", "bullying", "thoughtful", "bully victim".
10Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Yu Jing-pin
Original score: Varqa Buehrer
Editing: Zhang Yibo
Production design: Liang Honghu
Costume design: Dora Ng Lei-Lo
VFX supervisor: Chan Tze-Him
Sound: Joe Huang
Runtime: 135 min · 2h 15m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Box office: $225,879,065
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: Better Days (2019)

Also by

Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-09-18
★ 10/10
Better Days powerfully portrays the harsh reality of school bullying through an emotionally charged story, strong acting, and impactful visuals. The film highlights how society often turns a blind eye to abuse, forcing victims to suffer in silence. With its deep messages and moving performances, it's a must-watch drama that leaves a lasting impression. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

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