Some films hit with the force of reality—raw, painful, and impossible to ignore. Better Days (2019), directed by Derek Tsang, is one such film. This harrowing and deeply affecting drama dives into the brutal world of school bullying, social pressure, and the desperation of youth trying to survive in an unforgiving system. It’s a story that feels painfully universal, yet distinctly rooted in contemporary China, where academic success often dictates a person’s entire future.
At its core, Better Days is a film about two lost souls—a bullied high school girl and a teenage street thug—who find solace in each other’s presence. Their unlikely connection becomes their only escape, but in a world where violence, injustice, and survival instincts reign, happiness comes at a cost. With gripping performances, haunting cinematography, and an emotional weight that lingers, this is a film that doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel every bit of it.
📌 A Stark Reflection of Reality
From the very first scene, Better Days makes it clear that it isn’t just about bullying—it’s about a system that enables it. The pressure of China’s gaokao, the grueling national college entrance exam, is so intense that it drives students to desperation. For Chen Nian (Zhou Dongyu), school is not a place of learning—it’s a battlefield. The torment she endures is relentless, and the adults in charge do little to help. When she crosses paths with Xiao Bei (Jackson Yee), an orphaned street youth with his own wounds, their fates become intertwined in a way neither of them could have imagined.
📌 Emotionally Devastating Performances
Zhou Dongyu delivers one of the most heart-wrenching performances of her career, portraying Chen Nian with such fragility and quiet resilience that you can’t help but root for her. Meanwhile, Jackson Yee—better known as a pop idol—stuns with his nuanced portrayal of a boy hardened by the world, yet fiercely loyal to the only person who’s ever shown him kindness. Their chemistry is raw, unpolished, and painfully real.
📌 A Cinematic Punch to the Gut
With moody cinematography, tight close-ups that capture every tear, every bruise, and every silent cry for help, Better Days is as visually compelling as it is emotionally gripping. The film doesn’t rely on melodrama; instead, it builds tension through quiet moments of fear, hope, and inevitability. It doesn’t just tell you how devastating bullying can be—it forces you to confront it.
A nominee for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars, Better Days is more than just a drama. It’s a wake-up call—a brutally honest exploration of how society fails its most vulnerable, and the desperate measures people take just to survive. It’s not an easy film to watch, but it’s an important one—one that stays with you long after the final scene fades to black.
