Only The River Flows marks my introduction to the work of Wei Shujun, and I’m eager to discover more films by this director because there was so much about this one that I really liked. The film's use of celluloid is immediately striking, creating a gorgeous atmosphere enhanced by noir-inspired lighting and frequent smoke effects. I am always drawn in when a movie incorporates elements of film noir; the first 80 minutes of *Only The River Flows* are exceptionally strong because they’re completely immersed in that kind of crime storytelling. It follows a police officer tracking down a killer, and after an arrest is made and the case seems closed, a question about motive remains with the officer. The storyline initially captivated me as it evolved into a psychological thriller, occasionally evoking comparisons to *Twin Peaks*, which I consider high praise. However, around the 80-minute mark, there’s a sudden shift, and the last twenty minutes feel somewhat disjointed. While I appreciated the film's direction in its final moments, particularly a dream sequence reminiscent of *Twin Peaks*, the lack of overall consistency in the third act ultimately left me feeling let down—enough to lower my rating from what would have been four stars to three.

Source on TMDB