The Wild Goose Lake

Zhou Zenong, portrayed by Hu Ge, is a small-time gang leader involved in stealing motorbikes in Wuhan. The story begins with Zhou meeting Liu Aiai, played by Gwei Lun-Mei, at a train station. However, instead of his wife Shujun, played by Wan Qian, Zhou is approached by Liu Aiai, who has been sent by Huahua, a local pimp and Zhou’s associate. Zhou explains that he leads a modest gang and recounts a recent tragic incident: one of his subordinates, a man known as Red Hair, shot a rival gang member in the leg during a territorial dispute. This rivalry ignited a deadly trap, which resulted in Red Hair being decapitated and Zhou himself being shot twice in the torso. In a desperate attempt to escape in the pouring rain, Zhou accidentally shot and killed a police officer, mistaking the officer for a rival gang member, adding a complex layer to his predicament.

Meanwhile, law enforcement deduces that Zhou will likely hide in Wild Goose Lake, a notorious lawless zone in Wuhan, and establish a heavy police presence there. The police, led by Captain Liu, played by Liao Fan, have also placed surveillance on Zhou’s wife, Shujun, in hopes of catching Zhou himself. Zhou seeks to reunite with her by reaching out to Huahua, who operates as a hub for illicit activities at Wild Goose Lake. Liu Aiai, who is unaware of the police’s interest, functions as a middlewoman, helping Huahua manage his prostitution business.

The authorities put a bounty of 300,000 yuan, dead or alive, on Zhou’s head, prompting him to instruct Liu Aiai to persuade his wife Shujun to turn him in, so she can claim the reward. Huahua, however, is more interested in claiming the bounty for himself. As the story unfolds, Zhou finds himself pursued not only by the police but also by rival gangs eager to eliminate him and claim the reward. His journey turns increasingly perilous when he is cornered by a rival gang in an apartment, where he gets stabbed by the same gang members who shot him earlier. Despite these injuries, Zhou manages to fight back and kills his assailants, but the police, attracted by the gunfire and chaos, intensify their manhunt.

The chase reaches a tense climax when Zhou is injured and cornered near a lake, where he is shot multiple times before succumbing to his wounds. In the aftermath, Liu Aiai seizes the reward money and is driven by Captain Liu to the bank with the cash. Later, while stepping outside to buy cigarettes, Captain Liu notices her leaving the bank with the money. He discreetly follows her and witnesses her meeting Zhou’s wife, Shujun, revealing the intertwined fates of these characters and the lingering shadows of Zhou’s tumultuous life. The film paints a vivid picture of survival, betrayal, and the harsh realities faced by those living on the fringes of society.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:12