Amid the critical moment, the anticipated blockbuster Phong Than 1 has begun its theatrical run, drawing attention with its unique premise. A different version of Phong Than has also been released, which features a paywall for streaming on major platforms. The project Phong Than: Hỏa Thương aired on July 16 and quickly became a hot topic, especially given its potential to generate substantial box office revenue, despite facing fierce competition from other releases.
According to Sohu, Phong Than: Hỏa Thương only grossed 972,000 yuan (over 3 million dong) on its opening day, a relatively low figure compared to initial expectations of 10 million yuan (nearly 33 million dong). The film is predicted to face struggles at the box office following a noticeable decline in earnings on July 17, mainly attributed to the lack of appeal of the aging lead actress, who plays the character Đát Kỷ.
Character Đát Kỷ as portrayed by actress Diệu Diệc
In the film, the notorious character of Đát Kỷ is played by actress Diệu Diệc, who is in her 40s. Reviews on QQ and Sohu have criticized her performance, citing that her age detracts from the character’s allure, making it hard for viewers to connect with her portrayal, especially when the character is meant to invoke seduction and charm reminiscent of a 16-year-old. Audiences have expressed disappointment over Diệu Diệc’s rendition of Đát Kỷ, claiming it lacks the magnetic appeal needed for such a role, and many reviewers have labeled this version of Đát Kỷ as the most unappealing to date.
The film’s storyline centers around the journey of the character Lôi Chấn Vũ (later referred to as Lôi Công) and his encounters with Đát Kỷ. Lôi Chấn Vũ is portrayed by actor Vương Quân Thạch. Despite the actors being of similar ages, the chemistry between Đát Kỷ and Lôi Chấn Vũ seems off, leaving viewers feeling “out of mood.” Additionally, the depiction of Lôi Chấn Vũ in the film has drawn comparisons to characters in Avatar, albeit in a less captivating manner.
Lead actor Vương Quân Thạch portrays Lôi Chấn Vũ
Furthermore, audiences have found the portrayal of Đát Kỷ to be excessively “lackluster,” leading to a general disinterest in Phong Than: Hỏa Thương to the extent that even the director has had to step in to address concerns. This sentiment has been reflected on major film platforms such as Douban and Baidu, where the director’s absence from promotional materials has not gone unnoticed. “The film does not showcase the director’s name, which makes it feel even less appealing,” one reviewer lamented, giving it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Director’s name omitted in promotional materials
Currently, alongside the original Phong Than, the film Đát Kỷ is also facing potential box office failure. Having opened to much fanfare, it has only managed to gross around 10 million yuan so far, a far cry from the typical 100 million yuan earnings expected for a blockbuster. The film’s reception, particularly the portrayal of the character Đát Kỷ, has raised questions about its viability at the box office, especially as it competes with time-honored genres and established titles.
