

A Brighter Summer Day
A boy experiences first love, friendships and injustices growing up in 1960s Taiwan.
Critics Sentiment
The inevitable tragic murder that shocked the nation occurs
Quiet domestic and school scenes build character depth
The film builds steadily from quiet character moments to the devastating climactic violence, with the biggest jump occurring as all tensions converge into the inevitable tragic murder.
A Brighter Summer Day maintains consistently high critical regard throughout its four-hour runtime, with reviewers praising Yang's patient character development and meticulous historical context. The sentiment builds gradually from strong opening establishment through escalating gang tensions, reaching its emotional peak with the climactic violence that critics found both shocking and inevitable. Despite some viewers finding the pacing challenging, the overall critical consensus celebrates it as a masterpiece of Taiwanese cinema.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 113
Chang Chen
Xiao Si'r

Lisa Yang
Ming

Chang Kuo-Chu
Father

Elaine Jin Yan-Ling
Mother

Wang Chuan
Eldest Sister

Chang Han
Elder Brother

Chiang Hsiu-Chiung
Middle Sister
Stephanie Lai
Youngest Sister

Tan Chih-Kang
Ma

Wang Chi-tsan
Cat

Lawrence Ko Yu-Luen
Airplane
Chang Ming-Hsin
Underpants
Jung Chun-Lung
Bomber
Hui-Kuo Chou
Tiger
Chi-Chung Liu
Hefty
Ching-Hsiang Ho
Animal
Chang-Ta Tsai
Tiger's Buddy
Tsung-Ming Lee
Tiger's Buddy
Hung-Ming Lin
Honey

Wang Bosen
Deuce
Crew
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