Year: 1985
Runtime: 134 min
Language: English
Director: Michael Cimino
In a city riddled with crime and corruption, Captain Stanley White, a determined detective, becomes consumed by a relentless pursuit of justice. His obsession leads him to target Joey Tai, a resourceful young gangster, fueled by prejudice and a desire for revenge. As White’s methods grow increasingly brutal, he disregards the boundaries of the law, ignoring the concerns of those around him in a dangerous and escalating conflict where morality is challenged.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Trace every key event in Year of the Dragon (1985) 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.
Last Updated: November 18, 2024 at 20:57
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Where a protagonist's fixation leads to personal and societal ruin.If you were captivated by Stanley White's destructive obsession in 'Year of the Dragon,' you'll find similar thrillers and crime dramas here. These movies feature protagonists whose unwavering, often flawed, missions lead them down dark paths of moral ambiguity, personal loss, and pyrrhic victories against a backdrop of systemic corruption.
The narrative follows a character, often a cop or a figure of authority, whose personal vendetta or obsessive nature drives the plot. Their methods become increasingly extreme, alienating allies and causing collateral damage, culminating in a victory that feels hollow due to the immense personal cost and the unresolved larger issues.
Movies in this thread are grouped by their central character archetype—the obsessive anti-hero—and the resulting narrative of moral decay. They share a dark tone, high intensity, and a focus on the psychological toll of a single-minded quest, creating a coherent experience of grim, character-driven conflict.
Gritty, fast-paced stories of crime and conflict in a claustrophobic city.For viewers who loved the intense, pressure-cooker atmosphere of Chinatown in 'Year of the Dragon,' this list features similar fast-paced crime stories. These movies are set in gritty, claustrophobic urban landscapes where gang wars, police corruption, and culture clashes create a high-stakes, high-intensity environment with a dark and desperate mood.
The plot revolves around a central, high-stakes conflict—often a gang war or a cop vs. kingpin showdown—that rapidly escalates within a specific urban enclave. The narrative is straightforward but driven by relentless action and tension, emphasizing the brutal reality of the streets and the futility of the cycle of violence.
These films are united by their specific vibe: a combination of a fast pace, high intensity, dark tone, and a claustrophobic urban setting. The shared experience is one of being thrust into a violent, unforgiving world where the environment contributes significantly to the narrative's tension and grim outcome.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Year of the Dragon 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 Year of the Dragon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Year of the Dragon, 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.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Year of the Dragon. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Year of the Dragon that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Year of the Dragon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Year of the Dragon 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.
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