Cliff Walkers
Based on the script by QUAN Yongxian, Cliff Walkers is director ZHANG Yimou's first foray into the spy genre. Set the puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s, the film follows four Communist party special agents who return to China after receiving training in the Soviet Union. Together, they embark on a secret mission code-named "Utrennya". After being sold out by a traitor, the team find themselves surrounded by threats on all sides from the moment they parachute into the mission. Will the agents break the impasse and complete their mission? On the snowy grounds of Manchukuo, the team will be tested to their limit.
The film earned $172.9M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Cliff Walkers (2021) exemplifies precise narrative design, characteristic of Zhang Yimou's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Four Chinese resistance operatives parachute into the snow-covered mountains of Manchuria in 1934, beginning their dangerous mission into Japanese-occupied territory.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when The teams realize they've been compromised before even arriving—there's a traitor among them. Japanese forces ambush one pair at the train station, killing one operative and scattering the mission into chaos.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Despite knowing the mission is compromised and their lives are in immediate danger, the remaining operatives make the active choice to proceed with rescuing Utopia rather than retreat, committing fully to the deadly game., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The operatives successfully locate Utopia and plan the extraction, but Gao Bin reveals he's been allowing them to proceed—he wants them to lead him to the entire resistance network. What seemed like progress is actually a trap tightening around them., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Zhou Yi is captured and executed by the Japanese, dying to protect Wang Yu's cover. Multiple operatives are killed in a devastating ambush. The mission appears completely lost, and the personal cost becomes unbearable., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final operation unfolds with precision born from sacrifice. The surviving operatives execute a daring extraction plan, using the Japanese tactics against them. Wang Yu confronts the traitor and Gao Bin in a climactic showdown where Utopia's escape is purchased with lives., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Cliff Walkers's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Cliff Walkers against these established plot points, we can identify how Zhang Yimou utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Cliff Walkers within the crime genre.
Zhang Yimou's Structural Approach
Among the 11 Zhang Yimou films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Cliff Walkers takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Zhang Yimou filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Zhang Yimou analyses, see The Great Wall, Coming Home and Raise the Red Lantern.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Four Chinese resistance operatives parachute into the snow-covered mountains of Manchuria in 1934, beginning their dangerous mission into Japanese-occupied territory.
Theme
A senior operative states, "In this war, trust is the only thing keeping us alive," establishing the film's central theme of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice in espionage.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the harsh world of 1930s Manchuria under Japanese occupation. We learn the mission: rescue "Utopia," a witness to Japanese atrocities. The four operatives split into two teams while Japanese intelligence, led by the ruthless Gao Bin, sets their trap.
Disruption
The teams realize they've been compromised before even arriving—there's a traitor among them. Japanese forces ambush one pair at the train station, killing one operative and scattering the mission into chaos.
Resistance
The surviving operatives must navigate the compromised mission. Wang Yu and Chu Liang debate whether to abort or continue. They receive conflicting intelligence and struggle to identify safe contacts while evading Japanese patrols closing in around them.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Despite knowing the mission is compromised and their lives are in immediate danger, the remaining operatives make the active choice to proceed with rescuing Utopia rather than retreat, committing fully to the deadly game.
Premise
The cat-and-mouse game intensifies. The operatives execute elaborate deceptions, use dead drops, and navigate Harbin's dangerous streets. They get closer to Utopia while Japanese intelligence systematically eliminates their contacts. Spy thriller setpieces deliver on the genre's promise.
Midpoint
The operatives successfully locate Utopia and plan the extraction, but Gao Bin reveals he's been allowing them to proceed—he wants them to lead him to the entire resistance network. What seemed like progress is actually a trap tightening around them.
Opposition
Japanese forces close in from all sides. The traitor's identity becomes clearer, but too late. Safe houses are raided. Allies are captured and tortured. Each step toward extraction becomes more desperate as casualties mount and options vanish.
Collapse
Zhou Yi is captured and executed by the Japanese, dying to protect Wang Yu's cover. Multiple operatives are killed in a devastating ambush. The mission appears completely lost, and the personal cost becomes unbearable.
Crisis
Wang Yu processes the profound loss of Zhou Yi and his comrades. He confronts the seeming futility of sacrifice. The survivors face their darkest moment, questioning whether any mission justifies such bloodshed.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final operation unfolds with precision born from sacrifice. The surviving operatives execute a daring extraction plan, using the Japanese tactics against them. Wang Yu confronts the traitor and Gao Bin in a climactic showdown where Utopia's escape is purchased with lives.
Transformation
In a mirror to the opening, we see new operatives preparing for the next mission. Wang Yu, forever changed by loss, has become the mentor figure—hardened but carrying forward the legacy of those who fell. The resistance continues, built on sacrifice.