Close Escape

Close Escape

Year: 1989

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Chow Jan-Wing

DramaActionThriller

Knowing that he’s dying from cancer, Lam feels a responsibility to come up with sufficient funds quickly so that his younger brother Wai-leong can complete medical school.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Close Escape yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Close Escape (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Close Escape (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hong Kong

Hong Kong serves as a dense, neon-lit backdrop for a web of theft, betrayal, and police pursuit. The city’s crowded streets, markets, and harbor provide constant pressure and opportunities for both criminals and investigators. Key locations include the police station, Wai-tung's apartment, and the smuggling ring's hideouts.

🏙️ Cityscape 🕵️ Crime 🌊 Harbor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Main Characters – Close Escape (1989)

Meet the key characters of Close Escape (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ben Kwok (Aaron Kwok)

Ben Kwok is a diligent sergeant who suspects Chiu Ying-kau's involvement in the diamond theft. He pieces together clues through surveillance, car bugs, and careful observation, often clashing with Wai-leung's bravado. His dedication to delivering justice drives the investigation even as personal loyalties complicate his actions.

🕵️ Detective 🧭 Persistent 🗣️ Skeptical

Wai-tung (Michael Miu)

An aging man with cancer, Wai-tung steals diamonds to fund his brother Wai-leung's medical studies abroad. He uses the theft to secure a chance at a better life for his family, while concealing his illness and vulnerability. His plan is desperate, and his interactions with Chiu reveal a complicated moral code.

🧭 Motivated 🩺 Illness 🧠 Calculated

Wai-leung (Max Mok)

Young Wai-leung is initially unaware of his brother's criminal ties, pursuing a dream to study medicine overseas. After his brother's murder and his own framing for murder, he becomes alienated from the truth and grapples with guilt and rage. His diary reveals his cancer diagnosis and explains the motive behind his liaison with Chiu.

👨‍👦 Brother 🧭 Loyalty 🔎 Suspense

Chiu Ying-kau (Dick Wei)

Chiu is a ruthless smuggler master with a network of henchmen and an informant in Miko. He uses fear and manipulation to control Wai-leung and to guard his operation's secrets. His threat looms over all characters, driving the action toward a violent confrontation.

🕵️‍♀️ Criminal 🗡️ Ruthless 🧮 Calculating

Man (Charine Chan Ka-Ling)

Man is Ben's sister who organizes social support, including the birthday party. She becomes involved in the investigation and helps uncover the truth, showing protective loyalty to her family. She acts as a bridge between police and the suspects.

👩‍👧 Family 🤝 Support 🔎 Investigator

Miko (Yukari Ôshima)

Miko is a reporter from Japan embedded in Hong Kong who starts as an informant for Chiu but develops feelings for Wai-leung. She is torn between loyalty, emotions, and professional duty, eventually tipping the balance toward helping the protagonists. Her presence adds an international dimension and moral ambiguity.

📰 Reporter 💘 Romantic 🎯 Ambiguous

Yok (Pomson Shi)

Yok is one of Chiu's henchmen who tortures Wai-leung and later kills Big Head's ally, complicating the escape. His violence and unpredictability keep the tension high as the investigation closes in.

🗡️ Henchman 💥 Violent 🎲 Unpredictable

Kwat (Chan Chik-Wai)

Kwat is the police officer who works under Chiu but later unites with Ben to investigate and gather evidence against Chiu, adding tension to the police side. He is practical and loyal to the force.

🏛️ Police 🕵️‍♀️ Loyal 🔎 Strategic

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Major Themes – Close Escape (1989)

Explore the central themes of Close Escape (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Deception

Deception lies at the core of the film, from counterfeit diamonds to hidden loyalties. Characters manipulate each other to protect or uncover the truth, blurring lines between crime and justice. The revelation of real motives comes slowly as alliances shift—Chiu's web of informants, Wai-tung's secret bargain, and Miko's changing allegiance all hinge on what people are willing to pretend.

👨‍👦 Family

Wai-tung's cancer diagnosis and his decision to risk everything for Wai-leung's medical future fuse familial love with crime. Wai-leung's loyalty is tested as the brothers' fate hangs in the balance, forcing choices that blur moral lines. The siblings' bond provides emotional weight amid violence and danger.

⚖️ Justice

Law enforcement struggles to build a case as evidence appears and disappears under pressure from crime and fear. Ben's relentless pursuit, aided by loyal allies like Kwat, drives the investigation toward Chiu's operation. The climax tests the boundaries of due process as vengeance and duty collide.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Close Escape

Don't stop at just watching — explore Close Escape in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Close Escape is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Close Escape Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Close Escape, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Close Escape Summary

Close Escape Timeline

Track the full timeline of Close Escape with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Close Escape Timeline

More About Close Escape

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Close Escape: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Close Escape

Similar Movies to Close Escape

Discover movies like Close Escape that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.