Zhang Yimou's 'Scare Out' salutes the hidden heroes on the national security front

China's renowned director Zhang Yimou is known for continually reinventing himself and his cinematic output. This Spring Festival, he delivers a gripping new film about national security officers battling enemy spies and moles to protect their country.

Zhang Yimou on the set of "Scare Out." [Photo courtesy of Damai Entertainment]

Speaking about contemporary spy warfare, a theme closely tied to current realities, Zhang said, "We received support from the national security authorities starting from the script stage. Although filming this type of subject is challenging, I hope to deliver a compelling story with deep feelings for the country and its people."

The espionage thriller, starring Jackson Yee, Zhu Yilong, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin, Yang Mi and others, was produced under the guidance of the Ministry of State Security. It is the first Chinese film based on contemporary national security, aiming to pay homage to the "silent and great" heroes, the director said.

"Scare Out" follows a leak of classified intelligence regarding the nation's newest fighter jet, a breach that endangers national security. The national security agency that audiences follow then starts the hunt for traitors and tries to prevent vital intelligence from being shared. Eventually, they catch onto a serious mole working from within, one they aim to flush out. The director shared that he used modern filming techniques to capture the unique rhythm of a contemporary hidden battlefield. For this project, he challenged himself with multi-camera setups throughout, combined with extensive handheld and drone shots. This comes together for a more dynamic visual experience.

Through sharp, swift imagery, he captures the thrill of hunting down spies through the net of surveillance stretched across the city's streets and alleys. Zhang noted that "this film has the most shots of any movie I've made in my career."

The flexible and varied camera positions meant that one small change affected the entire setup. Actor Jackson Yee observed that even when coordinating numerous cameras simultaneously, director Zhang managed the crew remarkably well and worked with great efficiency. Zhu Yilong added, "I've never experienced this kind of filming approach before. Performing from start to finish like that was incredibly awesome."

A still from "Scare Out." [Photo courtesy of Damai Entertainment]

A remarkable line in the film, spoken by national security force leader Zhao Hong, played by Song Jia, is, "We have to confront the darkness within people." Zhang shared that this line encapsulates the film's core theme, highlighting the difficulty and complexity of such work. For national security personnel fighting on the contemporary hidden front, they must not only grow accustomed to the darkness, but also endure immense pressure, he explained.

One interesting element in the film involves spies exchanging classified information or communicating by retrieving mobile phones hidden inside unnoticed garbage bins. The director said, "In reality, many spies may use such common methods." He hopes that audiences will remain vigilant toward suspicious behavior in daily life, adding that "every cautious observation is a silent form of protection."

Zhang has been actively exploring different genres in recent years, from the 2022 war drama "Sniper," which grossed 608 million yuan, to the 2023 historical suspense "Full River Red" at 4.54 billion yuan and the 2024 legal dramedy "Article 20," which earned 2.43 billion yuan.

With his latest focus on contemporary national security, he has developed a style distinct from his previous works. Behind his pursuit of "innovation, evolution and authenticity" lies a bold attempt to push the boundaries of both subject matter and technique. The film's unique narrative rhythm has offered audiences a fresh viewing experience — the strong sense of immersion and tension makes viewers feel as if they are stepping into the hearts of the characters in this silent battle.

Cast and crew pose for a photo at a special screening event of "Scare Out" in Beijing, Feb. 18, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Damai Entertainment]

"Scare Out" has been the second-largest earner during the Spring Festival, which is a notably lucrative film season. Since its debut, it has grossed 965 million yuan by Feb. 25. In addition, more than 90% of its scenes were shot in Shenzhen, turning the southern tech hub's landmarks into tourist attractions as audiences embarked on film-inspired city tours during the holiday.

The film also opened simultaneously in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia on Feb. 17.