Introduction: A Masterclass in Suspense
In 2020, Chinese streaming platforms revolutionized historical storytelling with The Message (风声), a WWII-era espionage drama starring Xu Lu and Janice Man. This 38-episode series reimagines the 2009 film of the same name, transforming a cinematic thriller into a nuanced exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and psychological warfare. As global audiences increasingly seek non-Western narratives, The Message stands as a cultural bridge—a gripping tale where Qing Dynasty codes collide with modern intelligence tactics.
- Plot Architecture: Chessboard of Deception
Set in 1941 Japanese-occupied Shanghai, the series centers on Li Ningyu (Xu Lu) and Gu Xiaomeng (Janice Man), two women entangled in a deadly game of codebreaking and counterintelligence.
Key Narrative Layers:
- MacGuffin Pursuit: The hunt for “Silent Phoenix,” a cryptographic device based on the I Ching, drives the plot. This ancient-modern hybrid technology becomes a metaphor for China’s cultural resilience.
- Closed Circle Mystery: Borrowing from Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Episode 5’s mansion lockdown forces 8 suspects to betray their secrets through behavioral tells—a Chinese take on The Last of Us’s trust dynamics.
- Temporal Play: Flashbacks to 1930s military academies (Episodes 12-15) reveal how ideological divides among friends predestined their wartime collision.
This structural complexity elevates The Message beyond typical spy dramas, offering rewatch value akin to Westworld’s layered timelines.
- Performances: Feminine Power Reimagined
Xu and Janice dismantle stereotypes of female characters in historical dramas through their psychologically dense portrayals.
Xu Lu as Li Ningyu:
- Physical Transformation: Her posture shifts from slouched vulnerability (Episode 1) to military-rigid bearing (Episode 24) mirror her character’s evolution from codebreaker to revolutionary leader.
- Microexpression Mastery: Watch Episode 17’s tea ceremony scene—her eyelid flutter when recognizing a traitor’s ring is textbook Chekhov’s Gun execution.
Janice Man as Gu Xiaomeng:
- Ambiguity as Art: Is her character a collaborator playing triple agent, or a narcissist exploiting war chaos? The series deliberately withholds answers until Episode 32’s cathartic breakdown.
- Fashion as Narrative: Her qipao wardrobe transitions from Japanese silks (symbolizing compromise) to muted cotton (Episodes 28+) reflecting ideological awakening.
Their chemistry transcends typical rivalry, embodying what Variety calls “a yin-yang dance of suspicion and reluctant admiration.”
- Cultural Codebreaking: East Meets West
-The Message* cleverly localizes global thriller tropes through Chinese philosophical frameworks:
Innovative Storytelling Devices:
- I Ching Integration: Episode 9’s codebreaking sequence visually maps hexagrams to musical notes—a nod to Zhou Dynasty divination practices.
- Operatic Symbolism: Peking opera arias (Episode 14, 21) foreshadow betrayals using traditional jingju vocal techniques as emotional amplifiers.
- Architectural Semiotics: The Japanese headquarters’ blend of Shinto torii gates and Art Deco design visually manifests cultural collision.
Such elements make the series an accidental cultural primer, explaining why it’s been screened at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies.
- Technical Brilliance: Cinematic TV Craft
Director Li Xiaolong (《白夜追凶》) employs film-grade techniques uncommon in Chinese web dramas:
Standout Production Elements:
- Color Psychology: Flashback scenes use warm amber tones vs. present-day steely blues—a visual dichotomy borrowed from Zhang Yimou’s Hero palette.
- Sound Design: The Silent Phoenix device emits frequencies combining Japanese shamisen twangs and Morse code rhythms (Episode 7 climax).
- Long-Take Innovation: Episode 26’s 11-minute unbroken shot through bombed-out streets rivals 1917’s technical ambition.
These choices earned the series a nomination for Best Visual Design at the 2021 Shanghai TV Festival.
- Why Global Audiences Should Watch
Beyond its entertainment value, The Message offers three unique entry points for international viewers: - Historical Parallels: The cryptography warfare mirrors Bletchley Park narratives (The Imitation Game), but through a non-Eurocentric lens.
- Feminist Subtext: Li and Gu’s intellectual duel challenges the “male savior” trope dominant in WWII stories.
- Linguistic Novelty: Code phrases based on Tang poetry translations create puzzles solvable by bilingual viewers.
Platform availability on Viki and Amazon Prime (with improved subtitles post-2022) makes it accessible globally.
Conclusion: More Than a Spy Story
-The Message* redefines what Chinese period dramas can achieve—it’s The Americans meets Memoirs of a Geisha, filtered through China’s collective memory of resistance. Xu Lu and Janice Man deliver career-best performances in a series that balances brain-teasing plots with emotional heft. For viewers tired of recycled WWII narratives, this 2020 masterpiece offers fresh eyes and an unforgettable journey into the shadows of history.