Chelsea Alexandra
There is a curiosity that looms within us all to want to understand serial killers. When we hear about murders in the news, we can’t help but wonder what is the driving force for someone to commit such acts. As human beings, we long to understand one another. It is only natural that we want to understand the psyche of a serial killer even more. To understand the why behind it all. It can drive us to the edges of madness when the case runs cold and we desperately want to unearth the truth. Wei Shujun’s Only the River Flows is an old-fashioned serial killer neo-noir story set in 1990s China.
Detective Ma Zhe (Zhu Yilong) responds to a murder in a nearby village. Ma Zhe is a dedicated, level-headed, and focused detective. When he arrives at the scene of the murder, he’s put in charge of the scene to solve the murder of “Granny No. 4.” With his primary focus being his work, he seemingly ignores everything else that is happening around him. His wife, Bai Jie (Chloe Maayan), is at home pregnant. Since she is not Ma Zhe’s primary focus, she works on a puzzle that displays a picture of a mother and child. Ma Zhe’s investigation becomes more complicated as time goes on. He believes “Granny No. 4” is connected to a suspect the locals call “madman.” However, as new information is brought to light, his investigation becomes more complicated. It’s revealed over time how haunted he becomes with the investigation.
There are many layers to Shujun’s Only the River Flows. It’s as much of a murder mystery as it is an exploration into Zhe’s psyche. It’s made clear early on in the film that Ma Zhe is great at his job. He is analytical and laser-focused on the case in front of him. However, some of the most interesting moments of the film are when we begin to see his undoing. As he begins to feel the pressures of his investigation, he becomes a different version of himself. With each discovery and turn this investigation has taken him on, he becomes more taken aback.
Yilong’s performance as the obsessed detective captivates the entire runtime. Though it is an emotionally unraveling performance, there are some witty funny moments from the actor. Maayan’s performance as Ma Zhe’s pregnant wife, Bai Jie, is also one to spotlight. Knowing that she is an afterthought to her husband, there is a lot of empathy to be had for her character. There is an understanding of her character during the couple’s arguments. However, the film allows you to indulge in the moments of joy they experience together. Similar to Yilong’s, she provides an emotional performance throughout the film. Their ability to have this balance throughout speaks to their chemistry. The chemistry between the two actors when they share a scene is nothing short of sheer excellence.
Only the River Flows showcases stunning visuals. Shot on 16mm film, it captures the gloom and grittiness that looms. From its period-accurate production design to its gritty cinematography, Only the River Flows feels authentic to the time in which it takes place.
Only the River Flows leaves a lot up for interpretation. It is a murder mystery that spends most of its time dissecting its main protagonist rather than solving the crime itself. Although most of the film is a slow burn, there is still much to be engaged with as it follows Detective Ma Zhe’s quest for the truth.
