Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Kernel Score: 88% · 784 TMDB ratings
Genres: Drama
Released: 1991-12-18
Runtime: 125 minutes
Overview
In 1920s China, 19-year-old Songlian becomes a concubine of a powerful lord and is forced to compete with his three wives for the privileges gained.
Raise the Red Lantern parents' guide: ages 12+
Parents need to know that Raise the Red Lantern depicts a 1920s concubine competing amid jealousy, rivalry and oppression.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Themes of oppression, tragedy, and intrigue among rival wives.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — Concerns a concubine system and romantic/marital rivalry; no explicit content indicated but mature themes of polygamy and sexual politics.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Raise the Red Lantern
If you liked Raise the Red Lantern, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Othello (1951) — 84%
- FX's A Christmas Carol (2019) — 79%
- The Lion in Winter (1968) — 82%
- Monsieur Verdoux (1947) — 87%
- A Drama of Jealousy (and other things) (1970) — 79%
- Ivan the Terrible, Part I (1944) — 82%
- The Duellists (1977) — 80%
- Downton Abbey (2019) — 80%
Director
Cast
- Gong Li as Song Lian
- Ma Jingwu as Chen Zuo Qian
- He Saifei as Mei Shan
- Cao Cuifen as Zhuo Yun
- Kong Lin as Yan'er
- Jin Shuyuan as Yu Ru
- Chu Xiao as Fei Pu
- Ding Weimin as Mother Song
- Cao Zengyin as Old Servant
- Cui Zhigang as Dr. Gao
Raise the Red Lantern FAQ
Is Raise the Red Lantern good?
Raise the Red Lantern has an 88% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.
Is Raise the Red Lantern OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that Raise the Red Lantern depicts a 1920s concubine competing amid jealousy, rivalry and oppression.
What movies are like Raise the Red Lantern?
If you liked Raise the Red Lantern, try Othello, FX's A Christmas Carol, The Lion in Winter and Monsieur Verdoux.