Young and Dangerous

Young and Dangerous

Year: 1996

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Andrew Lau

ActionCrime

Five young hoodlums sing karaoke, murder, joke around, get beaten up, win and lose women, and learn the value of blind loyalty.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Young and Dangerous (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Young and Dangerous (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1985-1995

The narrative spans a decade beginning in 1985 and reaching a turning point in 1995. It tracks the rise of young enforcers within a triad’s inner circle and the shifting leadership as power moves from one faction to another. The period captures the era’s criminal enterprises, evolving alliances, and the consequences of betraying the code.

Location

Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan

The story unfolds in the urban centers of Hong Kong, depicting a dense underworld where triads wield influence. Macau serves as a backdrop for organized crime activities connected to film studios and cross-border operations, while Taiwan factors into a key exile sequence. The setting reflects a volatile, crowded cityscape where loyalty and power struggles drive the action.

🏙️ Urban setting ⚖️ Crime & law 🌏 Greater China

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Main Characters – Young and Dangerous (1996)

Meet the key characters of Young and Dangerous (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chan Ho Nam (Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin)

Charismatic and ambitious, Ho Nam rises from a devoted follower to a key enforcer within Hung Hing. His quick temper and protective instinct for friends pull him deeper into the triad’s world, while his strategic mind pushes him to challenge rival power: ultimately orchestrating a plan to topple Kwan. His journey tests loyalty, leadership, and the costs of taking control.

🔥 🗡️ 🏆

Chicken (Chiu) Chiu (Jordan Chan)

Ho Nam’s closest ally, defined by fierce loyalty and a willingness to take risks for friends. His fidelity and personal entanglements complicate the group’s dynamics, culminating in his exile and dramatic return as a branch leader. He embodies the tension between friendship and the brutal realities of triad politics.

🫶 🧭 ⚔️

Dai Tin-Yee (Michael Tse Tin-Wah)

One of Ho Nam’s original circle, a dependable enforcer who shares the gang’s early dreams and later faces the consequences of the unfolding power struggles. He represents the loyal, practical side of the group as plans become increasingly dangerous. His stance anchors the group amid shifting loyalties.

💪 🗡️ 🤝

Ugly Kwan (Francis Ng Chun-Yu)

The ruthless antagonistic force who seeks to usurp control of Hung Hing through manipulation and force. Kwan uses deception and coercion, including the infamous videotape, to delegitimize Bee and position himself as the new leader. His calculated brutality embodies the darkest side of triad politics.

🗡️ 💣 👑

Uncle Bee ( Frankie Ng Chi-Hung)

A veteran and mentor figure within Hung Hing, Bee embodies a more morally grounded approach to leadership. His guidance and eventual fate become a turning point in the power struggle, illustrating the vulnerability of even seasoned leaders to internal treachery. He acts as a moral compass for Ho Nam and Chicken.

🧭 🛡️ 🕊️

Chiang Tin-Sung (Simon Yam)

Hung Hing’s chairman who tries to maintain order and legitimacy within the faction. His leadership is challenged by internal scheming, and his eventual stepping down paves the way for Kwan’s ascendancy before the later counter-move restores balance. He represents institutional authority caught in a shifting underworld landscape.

🏛️ 👔 ⚖️

Smartie / Sai Sai Nap (Gigi Lai Chi)

A marked character who becomes entangled with Ho Nam after being coerced and then saved from exploitation. Her indebtedness and budding feelings for Ho Nam reflect how personal relationships are entwined with the triad world. She evolves from a victim to a participant in the larger struggle for power.

💫 💃 🧭

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Major Themes – Young and Dangerous (1996)

Explore the central themes of Young and Dangerous (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Loyalty & Betrayal

Loyalty to friends and allies is tested as personal bonds collide with factional needs. The group’s unity fractures after betrayals and manipulations, revealing how far individuals will go to protect or advance their own interests. The narrative repeatedly pits camaraderie against the pursuit of power, with trust becoming a costly currency.

👑 Power & Leadership

Control of the Hung Hing society becomes the central objective, with various leaders jockeying to command respect and obedience. The film examines how leadership is claimed, questioned, and contested through coups, assassinations, and strategic alliances. The consequences of ambition ripple through friendships, families, and the broader underworld.

🧭 Code & Morality

The characters navigate a coded world where rules govern behavior yet are often bent or broken for survival. The tension between upholding the triad code and pursuing personal survival creates moral ambiguity. The story asks whether loyalty to the code or loyalty to individuals ultimately prevails.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:08

Unlock the Full Story of Young and Dangerous

Don't stop at just watching — explore Young and Dangerous 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 Young and Dangerous is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Young and Dangerous Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Young and Dangerous, 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.

Young and Dangerous Summary

Young and Dangerous Timeline

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

Young and Dangerous Timeline

Young and Dangerous Spoiler-Free Summary

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Young and Dangerous Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Young and Dangerous

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