Caught by the Tides (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Caught by the Tides is a 2025 drama starring Tao Zhao as Qiaoqiao, You Zhou and Xu Changchu. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $325,135 worldwide. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
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Chinese
- Studio
- Huanxi Media Group
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is Caught by the Tides About?
The premise of Caught by the Tides without spoilers.
This film explores the enduring yet delicate love story of Qiaoqiao and Bin, set in China from the early 2000s to the present day. Initially captivated by each other, they embraced the vibrancy of city life, filled with music and dance. However, their relationship faces a challenge when Bin decides to pursue opportunities elsewhere, leading them to navigate distance and change.
Caught by the Tides Cast & Characters
Tao Zhao leads the cast as Qiaoqiao, with You Zhou and Xu Changchu.
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Tao Zhao as Qiaoqiao - You Zhou
- Xu Changchu
- Zhubin Li as Guo Bin
Also Starring in Caught by the Tides
· 3 moreCaught by the Tides Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Caught by the Tides 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 91/100, strongest in art & craft (92) and weakest in story & flow (83).
Caught by the Tides Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Caught by the Tides is a visually arresting and emotionally rich cinematic collage. Its elliptical structure spans decades with a thoughtful experimental approach that yields striking formal moments, while reedited performances anchor multiple character arcs. Although its subtle pacing may feel opaque to some viewers, the film rewards attentive engagement. In sum, this film offers a memorable and cohesive exploration of time’s passage.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 92
In terms of Art & Craft, the film’s direction and editing demonstrate an assured experimental vision. The semi-improvised sequences and meticulous reediting of archival footage create striking visual juxtapositions. Cinematography captures the erosion of time with careful attention to composition and color. Overall, the craft consistently supports the film’s thematic depth.
- Character & Emotion 88
In terms of Character & Emotion, the performances convey deep emotional resonance. Lead portrayals evolve over decades, imbuing multiple arcs with authenticity and nuanced depth. Moments of yearning and abandonment offer insight into personal and collective transitions. Though some viewers felt a degree of emotional distance, the film ultimately sustains an affecting human portrait throughout.
- Story & Flow 83
In terms of Story & Flow, the film adopts an elliptical narrative that spans twenty-one years with measured pacing. Its experimental collage structure offers original engagement but can feel cryptic at moments for viewers unaccustomed to non-linear storytelling. Pivotal sequences of generational change maintain coherence through thematic repetition. Overall, the plot balances innovation with a persistent sense of progression.
- Sensory Experience 91
In terms of Sensory Experience, the film’s visual style is compelling and immersive. The unstable image textures and considered color palette evoke the passage of time with poetic clarity. Ambient soundscapes and a measured soundtrack complement the visual collage, enhancing the atmospheric depth. Together, these elements deliver a cohesive sensory immersion throughout the film.
- Rewatch Factor 88
In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers lasting appeal through its layered structure and thematic richness. The elliptical assembly of archival and newly shot footage reveals additional narrative connections on subsequent viewings. Nuanced character evolutions and subtle formal motifs emerge more clearly when revisited. As a result, the film’s rewards deepen with each rewatch.
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Rotten Tomatoes 99% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 87 Metascore
User score 5.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
24528 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Caught by the Tides Box Office
Caught by the Tides grossed $325,135 worldwide. $291,307 came from the US and Canada and $33,828 (10%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$325.1K
- US & Canada
- $291.3K
- International
- $33.8K
Caught by the Tides Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Clip Clip [Subtitled]
- Featurette Jia Zhangke on Caught by the Tides | NYFF62
Caught by the Tides Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “We Shall Be All” and “Blown by the Winds”.
- Also known as
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- We Shall Be All
- Blown by the Winds
- Feng Liu Yi Dai
- Les Feux sauvages
- Άγριες πληγές
- 風流一代
- Generazione romantica
- 新世紀ロマンティクス
- Przypływy
- Marés Vivas
- Поколение романтиков
- 풍류일대
+2 more Show fewer
- A la deriva
- Levados Pelas Marés
Seen Caught by the Tides?
Articles About Caught by the Tides
Our article about Caught by the Tides: “Caught by the Tides (2025) - User and Critic Opinions, Reviews, and Reception Analysis”.
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Opinions
Caught by the Tides FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Caught by the Tides, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Caught by the Tides?
Caught by the Tides runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Caught by the Tides released?
Caught by the Tides was released on May 9, 2025.
Who is in the cast of Caught by the Tides?
Caught by the Tides stars Tao Zhao as Qiaoqiao, You Zhou and Xu Changchu, among 7 credited actors.
How much did Caught by the Tides make at the box office?
Caught by the Tides grossed $325,135 worldwide ($291,307 domestic, $33,828 international).
How is Caught by the Tides rated?
Caught by the Tides has 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Caught by the Tides have a post-credit scene?
Yes. Caught by the Tides has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
What language is Caught by the Tides in?
The original language of Caught by the Tides is Chinese.
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