A GILDED GAME (猎金游戏) (2025)

Genre: Crime/Drama
Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Andy Lau, Oho Ou, Ni Ni, Huang Yi, Kent Cheng, Jiang Mengjie, Jasper Liu
Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Rating: PG (Some Sexual References)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 12 June 2025

Synopsis: Gao Han, a top student in finance with integrity and outstanding professional ability, is determined to make a difference in the financial field. He interns at an investment bank after graduation. Among the interns who are all graduates from world-renowned universities, either from prominent families that can bring business, or recommended by internal executives, Gao Han seems to be different and shabby. Fortunately, he is appreciated by the chief analyst Zhang Todd and participates in the evaluation of IPO projects. Under the guidance of Zhang Todd, Gao Han quickly adapts to the high-pressure and fast-paced daily life, honing solid professional skills and negotiation skills.

Movie Review:

Veteran Hong Kong director Herman Yau and superstar Andy Lau have maintained a strong working relationship since the effects-heavy action film Shock Wave (2017). But instead of revisiting the explosive territory of Shock Wave or The White Storm franchise, Yau takes a different route this time, partnering with Lau on a finance-themed drama. It’s a somewhat refreshing shift especially given Yau’s frequent forays into formulaic action fare.

Although Lau is top-billed, it’s China’s rising star Oho Ou who takes the lead. Ou plays Gao Han, a gifted young intern at the international investment bank Bluestone. His mentor is the sharp-witted, principled equity analyst Todd Zhang, played by Lau. Under Zhang’s guidance, Gao transforms from an unremarkable newbie into a standout performer, catching the eye of Helen Li (Huang Yi), the icy and ambitious Managing Director of Bluestone.

Li soon entices Gao to join her team, unsurprisingly using money as bait. Gao, tempted by wealth and status, compromises his integrity and begins working under the manipulative and unscrupulous Li. Together, they embark on a lucrative IPO deal involving a new energy company owned by the father of Gao’s best friend (played by Jasper Liu).

For much of the first hour, it’s unclear where Yau is taking the plot of A Glided Game. Is it a Wall Street homage? A Margin Call clone? Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately Yau seems more influenced by Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, where money is power and insider trading is still very much a reality.

Gao eventually faces the consequences of his decisions as Li treats him like a disposable pawn. Meanwhile, Zhang, for reasons never fully explained, drifts through the film with little narrative purpose other than occasional romantic interludes with his love interest (played by Ni Ni). One suspects Lau’s screen time is extended primarily to capitalize on his star power, as the script offers little substance for his character. That said, his salt-and-pepper look is undeniably dashing.

The film only finds its footing in the final act, where it finally delivers a competent story arc involving insider trading and a hostile takeover of a Chinese company by foreign entities. The political subtext is evident, but Yau at least injects enough dramatic tension to hold the viewer’s attention until the end.

A Glided Game isn’t a particularly deep dive into the financial world nor is it likely to inspire applications to Goldman Sachs. Lau is no Gordon Gekko and Ou is certainly no Jordan Belfort. For the most part, Yau seems more interested in delivering a moral tale about the battle between good and evil, hammering home the message that one should always do the right thing.

In the end, the film’s storylines are too predictable and one-note to leave a lasting impression. While there are moments of intrigue and a competent finale, A Glided Game ultimately plays it too safe to stand out in the genre.

Movie Rating:

(Money never sleeps but A Glided Game is dozin)

Review by Linus Tee