Hong Kong's film industry is buzzing with excitement as two high-profile films, 破·地獄 (Breaking Hell) and 誤判 (Misjudgment), prepare for their box office showdown. The former, starring 黃子華 (Huang Zihua) and許冠文 (Hsu Kuan-Wen), has taken the Hong Kong box office by storm since its release. It not only climbed to the top of Hong Kong's all-time Chinese language film earnings but is also on track to become the first local film to break the 200 million HKD mark.
Released on December 14, 破·地獄 opened to overwhelming success, racking up over 25 million RMB from more than 100,000 advance screenings across mainland China, before its official release. This impressive start has attracted attention, being described as the 'feel good hit' of the season.
But just around the corner is 誤判, directed by and starring 甄子丹 (Donnie Yen), who is regarded as one of the biggest stars of martial arts cinema. Scheduled to open after 破·地獄, 誤判 is set to premiere on December 21st for Hong Kong audiences and December 27th for mainland viewers. The film, based on true events, follows Yen’s character, a prosecutor who uncovers the dark truths behind a wrongful conviction linked to the logistics industry.
The race is on: with 破·地獄 kicking off its buzz-worthy run, it remains to be seen how 誤判 will fare against the established success of its competitor. Early reports indicated 誤判 is also ramping up its marketing strategy, anticipating favorable reception and riskily advancing screenings before its wider release.
Both films are starring notable actors including 黃子華 and許冠文, which adds to this dramatic rivalry. While 破·地獄 enjoys the advantage of prior ticket sales and hype, 誤判 is witnessing its own initial successes with its own advance screenings, showing great promise with over 11 million RMB already accumulated.
Reflecting on the legacy of these films, 破·地獄 certainly marks its place in cinema history, tackling significant themes such as death and the ritualistic nuances of funerals, representing the unique elements of Hong Kong's heritage. Directors and actors alike are optimistic about their contributions toward raising cultural consciousness through cinematic storytelling. The upcoming battle of the films is expected to be closely monitored both by critics and avid film-goers.
With 破·地獄's unyielding momentum and the relentless zeal of 誤判 to make its mark, Hong Kong’s audiences are set for another exhilarating round of cinema not to be missed. A thrilling conclusion to the year awaits as both movies vie for the attention and hearts of movie-goers across Hong Kong and beyond.
