V (2026)
Film · Drama, Crime
Stream it, ifif you have the stamina for a lengthy, grim descent into criminal obsession and 90s urban decay.
A sprawling and gritty crime saga that tracks the corrupting influence of easy money in a crumbling city. At nearly three hours, it demands patience but offers a dark, relentless look at a desperate descent into criminal obsession.
What it is about
In the early 1990s, this city of desire, once a land of opportunity, was plagued by rampant crime and a breakdown of order. Man Tsz-keung, a working-class man desperate to change his fate, meets flight attendant Lok Ka-yuen, and the two team up to rob a large sum of money. This success fuels Man Tsz-keung's madness, pushing him into a deeper power struggle with wealthy businessman Chan Fai-yin. Meanwhile, mainland police officer Qi Honggang and Hong Kong police officer Guan Suchen continue their investigation of Wan Ziqiang, leading to a joint operation between the two police forces, setting the stage for a clash between good and evil. This film is fictional.
What V is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film is an immersive but draining experience. The 160-minute runtime allows for a slow-burn escalation of tension as it depicts a gritty, deteriorating cityscape. It feels heavy and relentless, focusing on the psychological erosion of its protagonist rather than quick action beats. The atmosphere is thick with 1990s desperation, shifting from a heist-driven thrill to a darker, more obsessive power struggle.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is for viewers who appreciate epic crime sagas where the line between ambition and madness is blurred. It will likely alienate those looking for a brisk thriller or a classic hero story. A significant caveat is its punishing length; the middle act can feel bloated as it navigates the intricate power dynamics between the criminal underworld and the wealthy elite.
The right evening for it
It suits a dedicated evening where you are prepared to engage with a sprawling narrative. This is a film for when you want a serious, high-stakes drama that prioritises character decay over simple entertainment.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
How V leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
Expect to come away feeling wrung out and contemplative. The film’s focus on the cyclical nature of greed and the breakdown of social order leaves a heavy, lingering sense of unease.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Election (2005)
the same dark exploration of power struggles and criminal hierarchies
Limbo (2021)
the same bleak, gritty aesthetic of a decaying city plagued by crime
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V soundtrack
Music by Elliot Leung
Questions people ask
- Is V a tense film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Tense. A sprawling and gritty crime saga that tracks the corrupting influence of easy money in a crumbling city. At nearly three hours, it demands patience but offers a dark, relentless look at a desperate descent into criminal obsession.
- How long is V?
- V runs 160 min and was released in 2026.
- Who composed the music for V?
- The music for V is by Elliot Leung.
- Is V worth watching?
- It depends: if you have the stamina for a lengthy, grim descent into criminal obsession and 90s urban decay. IMDb users rate it 7.3 out of 10 from 81 votes and TMDB users 6.3.
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