Chinese direct‑to‑video (DTV) action films on platforms like iQIYI dominate action‑film X whenever a new title drops. Pushing the boundaries of what we expect from modern martial arts cinema, these DTV features have helped platform talents such as Xie Miao (Hunt the Wicked, The Furious). While some of iQIYI’s titles make their way onto the western version of the site, others are picked up by distributors, which is the case with The Butcher’s Blade, now being released by Well Go USA. I’m glad it found a home, because despite some flaws, this is an enthralling martial‑arts feature.
A low‑ranking constable, Xue Buyi (Liu Fengchao), is struggling to survive and will do anything to stay in the good graces of his superiors. While taking on extra work to earn more money, a robbery occurs, and thousands in disaster‑relief funds are stolen. Xue Buyi is framed for the crime. Desperate to prove his innocence, he teams up with his former teacher and his secret squad that serves clients wealthy enough to afford their help.
At a tight 90 minutes, The Butcher’s Blade truly flies by with a brisk pace. It does open with a wall of text explaining the laws of this world, which can be hard to read, but mere moments later, someone’s getting their face caved in. Making the wall of text seem insignificant by comparison. The story is simplistic, with little moral grey: our lead is unquestionably a force for good, and the villains deserve everything that’s coming to them. It feels familiar to action films of the past, where we want to see our heroes defeat the bad guys. The acting is also excellent — Liu Fengchao, as Xue Buyi, delivers a stellar performance both in the dialogue and in the physicality of the action.
The idea of simplicity cannot be applied to the action, which is nothing short of a tour de force. The film utilises extensive handheld camerawork and, at times, quick‑cut editing, which is occasionally distracting, but infrequent enough to overlook when the final product is as enthralling as it is. When the choreography unfolds, it is truly jaw‑dropping. A fight in which a wet towel is used in place of a wooden staff is nothing short of mesmerising and delightfully unconventional, and every action scene is better than the last. The final fight, in particular, is one of the best action scenes of the year.
Du Xiaohui (Eye for an Eye 2, Fight Against Evil 3) serves as action director, and the influence of Japanese choreography is unmistakable. Moments reminiscent of the Rurouni Kenshin live‑action films appear throughout, yet they’re infused with a distinctly Chinese flair that elevates them beyond mere imitation.
DTV action from both the East and the West has become impeccable since the late 2000s and into the 2010s. The 2010s DTV Universal Soldier films, Regeneration and Day of Reckoning, are stronger than the theatrically released original. Gone are the days when DTV automatically meant lesser quality than its big‑screen counterparts. The Butcher’s Blade proves this tenfold: the sets and costumes are lavish, never once looking low‑budget or small in scale. The film utilises its resources perfectly, ensuring its grand action epic is captured with striking beauty.
The Butcher’s Blade is a great action flick through and through, perfectly showcasing why China’s DTV films are pushing the boundaries of modern martial arts cinema. After watching it, I immediately wanted to hit replay and experience it all again. It’s not perfect, but it’s absolutely a film worth seeing, and with any luck, it might encourage more people to explore what other DTV titles have to offer.
★★★★
On digital from May 12th / Liu Fengchao, Yuan Fufu, Chunyu Shanshan / Dir: Liu Wenpu / Well Go USA
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