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Drama musical

Dead Pigs (2021): Cast & Ratings

Dead Pigs (2021) movie poster

Dead Pigs is a 2021 drama musical directed by Cathy Yan, starring Zazie Beetz as Angie, Vivian Wu and Mason Lee. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
Echo Score
81
Metascore
73
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Dead Pigs (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
Cathy Yan
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Family , Musical
Original language
Chinese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dead Pigs About?

The premise of Dead Pigs without spoilers.

In Cathy Yan's directorial debut, the lives of several disparate individuals in Shanghai unexpectedly collide. A strange occurrence—dead pigs appearing in the Huangpu River—becomes a strange omen. As the city grapples with this unsettling event, the characters’ paths intertwine, hinting at profound shifts and the potential for transformation within modern Shanghai.

Dead Pigs Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • title directed by female
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Cast & crew

Dead Pigs Cast & Characters

Zazie Beetz leads the cast as Angie, with Vivian Wu as Candy Wang and Mason Lee as Wang Zhen. Directed by Cathy Yan; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dead Pigs

· 3 more
From the director

More from Cathy Yan

More films directed by Cathy Yan, best-rated first: Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and Dead Pigs.

Full filmography
Ratings

Dead Pigs Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dead Pigs 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (65).

81 /100

Dead Pigs Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall execution, Dead Pigs stands out for its vibrant mosaic of intersecting narratives and satirical wit that balance humor and social commentary. Reviews highlight Cathy Yan's deft directorial command blending quirky vignettes with emotional pathos, while occasional narrative contrivances prevent full cohesion. The ensemble's lively energy and visual flair deliver a spirited viewing experience. Net effect: a consistently engaging and thought-provoking film that resonates beyond its structural imperfections.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels with distinctive direction and bold production design that evoke a satirical yet grounded tone. Cinematography employs an understated color palette punctuated by moments of visual flamboyance, and editing maintains an agile rhythm. Overall, the aesthetic choices reinforce the film’s thematic juxtaposition of whimsy and critique.

  • Character & Emotion 87

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, Dead Pigs benefits from lively performances that bring depth to idiosyncratic figures navigating social change. Acting is consistently strong, capturing both caustic humor and genuine warmth, while the chemistry among principals sustains emotional resonance. The ensemble’s varied interactions offer poignant glimpses into each character’s arc. Ultimately, character work anchors the film’s satirical core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative unfolds as a series of intersecting vignettes that showcase originality and social critique. Pacing remains lively, though some reviewers note that the absence of a driving plot and occasional contrived resolutions can disrupt coherence. Despite this, the film maintains engagement through its inventive scenario sequencing and thematic ambition.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering the Sensory Experience, the film pairs a relevant soundtrack with precise sound design that amplifies its satirical tone. Visual style is marked by a cohesive yet playful aesthetic, balancing understated sequences with bursts of vibrant color. The combination of audio and imagery creates an immersive atmosphere that complements the narrative’s thematic contrasts.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Dead Pigs offers sufficient novelty and thematic layers to merit subsequent viewings. The film’s blend of satirical humor and emotional nuance reveals additional narrative connections upon repeat engagements. However, its episodic structure and unpredictable pacing may limit appeal for viewers seeking a more conventional arc. On balance, the film sustains moderate replay value.

Videos

Dead Pigs Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

2018台北電影節|怪奇物語|海上浮城 Dead Pigs
  • Clip
Cars

Cars in Dead Pigs

8 cars on screen, including the 1989 Toyota Corolla and the unknown.

All 8 cars
  • 1989 Toyota Corolla in Dead Pigs 1989 Toyota Corolla Important role
  • unknown in Dead Pigs unknown Important role
  • 1964 Citroën Type HY in Dead Pigs 1964 Citroën Type HY Minor role
  • Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 in Dead Pigs Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Minor role
Details

Dead Pigs Also Known As

Also known as “Dead to Me”.

Also known as
  • Dead to Me

Seen Dead Pigs?

FAQ

Dead Pigs FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Dead Pigs, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dead Pigs?

Dead Pigs runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Dead Pigs released?

Dead Pigs was released on February 12, 2021.

Who directed Dead Pigs?

Dead Pigs was directed by Cathy Yan.

More films by Cathy Yan

Who is in the cast of Dead Pigs?

Dead Pigs stars Zazie Beetz as Angie, Vivian Wu as Candy Wang and Mason Lee as Wang Zhen, among 7 credited actors.

How is Dead Pigs rated?

Dead Pigs has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Dead Pigs have a post-credit scene?

No. Dead Pigs has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Dead Pigs in?

The original language of Dead Pigs is Chinese.

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