Sina reported that on the first day of the Lunar New Year 2025, a wave of blockbuster films hit the theaters, intensifying the competition for box office dominance. Leading the charge was the film Na Tra: Ma Dong Nao Hai, an outcome that did not surprise audiences. However, the film Heroes of the West: Great Chi Duel faced criticism, as its box office earnings were significantly lower compared to its competitors.
Specifically, on its opening day, Heroes of the West achieved a box office revenue of approximately 257 million yuan, which is quite a distance from the 480 million yuan earned by Na Tra 2. Previously, Heroes of the West was the front-runner in box office earnings for 2025 with a projection of 350 million yuan. Currently, its total revenue ranks fourth behind Na Tra: Ma Dong Nao Hai, Detective Chinatown 1900, and Feng Shen 2.
Notably, the audience satisfaction rate for Heroes of the West stands at 9.5%, considerably higher than many other films, which hover around 7%. Therefore, after just one day, Heroes of the West emerged as the most criticized film.
According to Sina, the narrative of Heroes of the West is a familiar content that resonates with viewers. Characters like Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Ouyang Feng are portrayed very successfully on screen. Compared to traditional films with lengthy run times, which can fully explore conflicts, grudges, and the complex motives of factions, films set in a limited timeframe often struggle to convey the essence of the original narrative.
The leading roles in the film are played by Xiao Qian and Zhang Da Fei, whose chemistry is deemed incompatible with Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Earlier, in the trailer, Xiao Qian appeared with a lackluster presence, failing to embody the charismatic essence of the character as depicted in the original works of Jin Yong. QQ also revealed that Guo Jing is originally from Song Dong, China, raised in a wilderness environment, thus having a tall and strong physique, with a broad face and square jaw, exuding a robust masculinity. Guo Jing’s demeanor is described as aloof, while his facial features appear modern, making him less appealing to Huang Rong.
Conversely, Xiao Qian’s slender physique and lack of a strong presence have sparked debates among viewers, as they feel the actor’s portrayal does not align with the character’s essence. The characterization of Xiao Qian has been described as “scruffy like a rag in the underworld,” combined with a dark atmosphere in the trailer, which makes it challenging for audiences to perceive Guo Jing in a new light.
Directed by the renowned director Xu Ke, who previously achieved success with the Huang Fei Hong series, Heroes of the West: Great Chi Duel fails to deliver the expected martial arts scenes, instead heavily relying on exaggerated special effects. The climactic battle scenes featured excessive slow-motion effects that left viewers feeling overwhelmed.
While the film’s plot attempts to elevate the main character’s journey, it ultimately undermines the film’s coherence. The characters are depicted differently than in the original work, diminishing their impact and the significance of their roles, particularly that of Guo Jing. The romantic tension between Guo Jing and Huang Rong, as well as the princess Hua Zhu, also received harsh critiques, failing to evoke the intended feelings from the audience.
“The film has reportedly sold out screenings in major theaters, yet upon entering the room, I noticed audiences were disengaged,” said one viewer. “I don’t understand why they decided to adapt a classic Jin Yong novel,” “Xiao Qian’s performance was lackluster,” “Both lead actors failed to resonate with their characters,” “The main actor is always too wooden,” “This is a disappointing adaptation that fails to engage audiences,” “The film is not too bad but remains mediocre, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied,” were some comments shared by audiences after watching Heroes of the West 2025.
According to Sina, currently, the total revenue of the film has surpassed 420 million yuan, but the increasing competition may cause it to be overtaken by other films.
