China's state-backed spy film 'Scare Out' earns $70M in 3 days
A spy thriller directly supervised by China's Ministry of State Security becomes a Lunar New Year box office hit.
Deep Dive
Acclaimed director Zhang Yimou's film 'Scare Out,' produced under the direct supervision of China's Ministry of State Security, has earned 483 million yuan ($70M) in its first three days. The spy thriller, based on real counter-espionage cases, is the second-highest-grossing film of the Lunar New Year period, trailing only the comedy 'Pegasus 3.' It dramatizes the hunt for a researcher who leaked stealth fighter secrets.
Why It Matters
Highlights the growing intersection of state propaganda, entertainment, and national security narratives in China's cultural exports.