
A Touch of Sin
2013 · Movie · 131 min · ★ 7.2 · 86% critics
In modern China, four people in different provinces reach violent breaking points as corruption, exploitation, and desperation take over their lives. An angry miner lashes out after injustice, a migrant explores dangerous possibilities, an abused receptionist goes to extreme lengths, and a young worker drifts from job to job.
Also known as Touch of Sin, A
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy — also streaming on AMC+, Hoopla, SundanceNow Doc Club +2 more.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Original title
- 天注定
- Years
- 2013
- Release date
- 2013-10-04
- Language
- Chinese
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Critic score
- 86/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (384 votes)
About
You’ll likely like this bleak anthology if you’re drawn to hard-hitting crime stories about social injustice and pressure in modern China; Not for you if graphic violence or nihilistic vibes turn you off, or if you prefer steadier storytelling like Black Coal, Thin Ice or Better Days.
Pros: hard-hitting social themes; multiple engaging stories; gritty atmosphere | Cons: violence can feel excessive; bleak and depressing; structure can feel uneven
Themes
- bureaucracy
- china
- based on true story
- alienation
- rifle
- anthology
- displacement
- humiliation
- modern china
- decadence
- embezzlement
- return of son
- +2 more
Cast & crew

Jiang Wu
as Dahai

Wang Baoqiang
as Zhou San

Zhao Tao
as Xiao Yu

Li Meng
as Lianrong

Zhang Jiayi
as Zhang Youliang

Luo Lanshan
as Xiao Hui

Wang Hongwei
as Sauna Guest

Liu Lu

Wang Qiang

Han Sanming
Directed by Jia Zhangke