Tiger Cage

Tiger Cage

Year: 1988

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: Cantonese

CrimeAction

Corruption runs deep in Hong Kong’s anti‑Drug Trafficking Unit, known only to a handful of honest officers. When they are framed for murder and drug smuggling, they must use unorthodox methods to prove the truth. Dodging bullets from police and gangsters, they race to clear their names, protect their families and bring the guilty to justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Tiger Cage (1988)

Trace every key event in Tiger Cage (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Drug bust and Hung's escape

During the operation, the Anti-Drug Unit storms a drug den and handcuffs several traffickers. Swatow Hung manages to slip away in the chaos, sparking a dangerous pursuit. The celebration is cut short when Lung, an undercover cop, is killed by Hung, deepening the team's resolve to seek justice.

During the operation Drug den, Hong Kong
2

Lung's death fuels a vengeful hunt

With Lung dead, the team resolves to avenge their fallen brother. They mobilize in a citywide manhunt for Hung, using informants and cross-referencing leads. The mood shifts from victory to a relentless pursuit of the truth.

Weeks after Lung's death Citywide
3

Tat's illicit trade caught on camera

During a surveillance operation, Yau captures Tat trading with a drug trafficker. He informs Terry and Michael, but the revelation threatens their loyalties and sows distrust. The discovery marks the start of a widening web of betrayal within the unit.

During the investigation into Hung Street stakeout
4

The mole's move: murder and frame-up

Michael eliminates Terry to silence a potential exposer and frames Yau for the murder. As a result, Yau is suspended from duty, and the unit fractures under the weight of suspicion. Trust dissolves while the pursuit of Hung continues under a cloud of betrayal.

Soon after the stakeout Police HQ / city streets
5

Amy discovers the incriminating tape

Amy finds a copy of Yau's surveillance tape at home and realizes Michael and Tat are involved in the criminal network. The discovery pulls Amy deeper into the danger and widens the circle of those implicated. The tape becomes a crucial piece of the puzzle.

A day after the stakeout Amy's home
6

Tape exchange intended to shield Yau

To protect Yau, Amy hands the incriminating tape to Michael during a tense pickup. The move shifts the balance of power and tightens Michael's grip on the investigation. The dynamics of trust within the group become even more fragile.

During the tape pickup Meeting point outside a safe location
7

Michael orders Amy's murder

After securing the tape, Michael orders an assassin to kill Amy to silence a key witness. The plan demonstrates how far the corruption runs within the force. This act heightens the peril for everyone who remains connected to the truth.

Moments after the tape exchange Amy's home
8

Amy warns Shirley by phone

Before the assassin can strike, Amy calls Shirley to warn her about Michael's operation. The warning rekindles their alliance and prompts a renewed effort to uncover the full truth. This call becomes a turning point for Yau and Shirley.

Immediately after the warning call Amy's home / phone call
9

Hung's survival and Lung's revenge surface

Yau and Shirley realize Hung survived the earlier bust and has returned to avenge Lung, who was undercover. The revelation ties Hung to the night before Shirley's wedding, intensifying the stakes for everyone involved. The case folds back onto a personal confrontation.

Night before Shirley's wedding City streets / clue sites
10

Yau vows justice and to expose the mole

Armed with the truth, Yau vows to bring Hung to justice and to expose the mole inside the police force. He begins to piece together the corruption and betrayal that nearly derailed him. This vow signals a decisive turn toward accountability.

After revelation Police HQ / personal resolve
11

Terry confronts Tat's betrayal

Terry discovers Tat's ties to drug traffickers, forcing a crisis of loyalty. He struggles between loyalty to a partner and his own ethical standards. The tension foreshadows a tragic outcome for their alliance.

During the investigations Undercover operation site
12

Tat is used and killed

Tat is manipulated by his superior Michael and is ultimately abandoned and killed. The act demonstrates the depths of Michael's ruthlessness and accelerates the unraveling of the unit. Tat's death leaves scars on everyone who trusted him.

Climax Police facility
13

Shirley uncovers the full truth

Shirley pieces together Hung's escape, Lung's fate, and the mole within the force. The discovery places everyone in greater danger, as the path to justice becomes more perilous. The truth sets the stage for a final confrontation.

After Tat's death Shirley's residence / safe house
14

Final confrontation and Hung is killed

The team closes in on Hung and defeats him through a hard-fought confrontation. Hung's death brings a measure of justice for Lung, but the cost is heavy and the survivors face ongoing danger. The narrative ends with a fragile hope amid continued peril.

Final showdown Hung's hideout / city outskirts

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:34

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Tiger Cage Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Tiger Cage

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