Chasing the Dragon

Chasing the Dragon (2017): A Gritty Hong Kong Crime Epic

Chasing the Dragon (2017) is a hard-hitting crime drama that blends biographical storytelling with the stylish grit of classic Hong Kong cinema. Directed by Wong Jing and Jason Kwan, the film stars two of Asia’s biggest icons—Donnie Yen and Andy Lau—in a tense, emotionally charged tale of power, corruption, and survival.

Set in the 1960s and 70s, the film tells the story of Ng Sik-ho, better known as “Crippled Ho,” a real-life gangster who rose from a poor illegal immigrant in Hong Kong to become one of the most powerful drug lords in the region. Donnie Yen plays Ho in a rare non-martial arts role, delivering a dramatic performance that trades punches for psychological intensity. The film tracks his transformation from a street-level thug into a ruthless kingpin with an empire built on heroin, violence, and political influence.

Alongside him is Andy Lau reprising his role as Lee Rock, a character he made famous in the early 1990s. Lee is a corrupt but cunning police officer whose rise through the ranks is fueled by strategic alliances and backroom deals. As the two men climb their respective ladders of power, their relationship evolves from mutual dependency to a tense and tragic friendship.

At its core, Chasing the Dragon is a film about ambition and moral decay. It explores how desperation, survival, and opportunity can drive individuals to make choices that reshape the course of a city’s criminal underworld. The friendship between Ho and Lee is the emotional anchor of the film, blending loyalty and betrayal in a way that mirrors the gritty, unpredictable world they inhabit.

Visually, the film is rich with atmospheric detail. The directors recreate 1960s Hong Kong with smoky alleys, neon-lit bars, and claustrophobic tenement buildings, immersing the audience in a time of political unrest and rampant corruption. The cinematography, while stylized, remains grounded and authentic, using sharp contrasts and saturated tones to highlight the darkness at the heart of the story.

Donnie Yen’s performance is especially noteworthy. Known primarily for his martial arts prowess, Yen takes a significant risk by portraying a character defined more by cunning and charisma than physical combat. His portrayal of Crippled Ho is layered and intense, showing a man driven by both loyalty to his own people and an insatiable hunger for power. Andy Lau, always reliable, brings quiet intensity and complexity to Lee Rock, making the character both charming and morally ambiguous.

The film’s pacing is deliberate, building tension steadily as alliances are made and broken, and violence erupts without warning. Though there are action scenes, they are brutal rather than balletic—highlighting the raw brutality of the world rather than romanticizing it.

In conclusion, Chasing the Dragon is a compelling addition to the canon of Hong Kong crime cinema. With its strong performances, period authenticity, and unflinching look at a corrupt era, the film stands as both a tribute to and a critique of the gangster legend. It’s a dark, stylish, and emotionally charged film that captures the cost of ambition in a world ruled by greed and survival.