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Sci-fi thriller

The Soul (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Soul (2021) movie poster

The Soul is a 2021 sci-fi thriller directed by Wei-Hao Cheng, starring Janine Chun-Ning Chang as Ah-Bao, Chen Chang and Christopher Ming-Shun Lee. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $9.6 million worldwide. IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
worldwide gross
$9.6M
Echo Score
85
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The Soul (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Wei-Hao Cheng
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
Chinese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Soul About?

The premise of The Soul without spoilers.

A perplexing death triggers a suspenseful investigation into the life of the deceased, exposing a complex network of hidden relationships and concealed truths. A determined detective delves into the victim's connections, uncovering a disturbing pattern of betrayal and deceit. As she navigates a tangled web of lies, she risks confronting dangerous secrets and jeopardizing her own safety in the pursuit of justice.

The Soul Themes & Keywords

· 28 tags
  • detective
  • investigation
  • cancer
  • secret
  • female nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • transgender
  • transgender woman
  • nudity
  • mild sexual content
+16 more
  • co production
  • graphic violence
  • live action adaptation
  • literature on screen
  • suspense mystery
  • chinese taiwanese co production
  • neo noir
  • married female lead
  • death
  • murder
  • suspense
  • sci fi noir
  • taiwanese drama
  • tech noir
  • techno thriller
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

The Soul Cast & Characters

Janine Chun-Ning Chang leads the cast as Ah-Bao, with Chen Chang and Christopher Ming-Shun Lee as Doctor Wan. Directed by Wei-Hao Cheng; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Soul

· 6 more
From the director

More from Wei-Hao Cheng

More films directed by Wei-Hao Cheng, best-rated first: The Tag-Along 2 and Who Killed Cock Robin?.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Soul Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Soul 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in art & craft (87) and weakest in story & flow (78).

85 /100

The Soul Echo Score Breakdown

The Soul offers a cohesive cinematic experience anchored by polished craft, engaging performances, and an intricate narrative. The film’s direction and production design exhibit refined visual composition and measured pacing that sustains immersion, even as the story occasionally unfolds at a deliberate pace. Sound design and musical score reinforce the dark near-future mood, while nuanced character portrayals enrich the emotional core. Overall, the film’s strengths in craftsmanship and thoughtful storytelling deliver a rewarding viewing experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 87

    In terms of art and craft, The Soul excels in visual composition and technical precision. The cinematography employs an understated color palette and dynamic framing, while production design convincingly portrays a near-future environment. Editing choices enhance the film’s immersive quality, ensuring tension is maintained throughout most scenes. Overall, the film’s art direction and craft present a polished and cohesive aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Soul is driven by committed performances and substantial character arcs. Actors deliver naturalistic portrayals that convey complex motivations, fostering empathy with each individual’s plight. Emotional resonance emerges in moments of interpersonal tension, though occasional melodramatic beats can feel overstated. Overall, the character work anchors the narrative with credible depth and genuine feeling.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, The Soul offers an intricate mystery that unfolds through carefully structured twists. The plot coherence is generally strong, with well-executed whodunnit elements and compelling stakes. Pacing remains immersive for much of the runtime, although some sequences advance more slowly and require focused attention. Overall, the narrative provides engaging complexity balanced by moments of uneven momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    On the sensory experience front, The Soul features a thoughtfully crafted soundtrack and cohesive sound design. The score underscores the film’s brooding atmosphere, while sound effects heighten suspense in key sequences. Visually, the use of color and lighting reinforces the near-future tone, though occasional musical cues verge on melodrama. Overall, the sensory elements contribute to an absorbing audiovisual presentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 85

    Regarding rewatch factor, The Soul’s layered narrative and subtle clues reward multiple viewings. Flashback sequences and shifting identities encourage viewers to revisit the film and uncover additional details. Recurring motifs and thematic undercurrents of identity and mortality maintain interest beyond the initial screening. Overall, the film demonstrates strong lasting appeal through its complex structure and thematic depth.

Box office

The Soul Box Office

The Soul grossed $9.6 million worldwide.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$9.6M

International
$9.6M
Videos

The Soul Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Soul.

The Soul - Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in The Soul

17 cars on screen, including the 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé W111 and the Tesla Model 3.

All 17 cars
  • 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé W111 in The Soul 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé W111 Important role
  • Tesla Model 3 in The Soul Tesla Model 3 Important role
  • 2019 Maserati Levante in The Soul 2019 Maserati Levante Minor role
  • 2010 Škoda Fabia in The Soul 2010 Škoda Fabia Minor role
Details

The Soul Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Ji hun” and “缉魂”.

Also known as
  • Ji hun
  • 缉魂
  • Seize The Soul
  • Душа
  • 영혼 사냥
  • Η Ψυχή
  • נשמות ניידות
  • Truy Hồn
  • A Alma
  • Transferencia de Almas
  • Ji Hun (The Soul)
  • จิตวิญญาณ

Seen The Soul?

FAQ

The Soul FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Soul, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Soul?

The Soul runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was The Soul released?

The Soul was released on April 14, 2021.

Who directed The Soul?

The Soul was directed by Wei-Hao Cheng.

More films by Wei-Hao Cheng

Who is in the cast of The Soul?

The Soul stars Janine Chun-Ning Chang as Ah-Bao, Chen Chang and Christopher Ming-Shun Lee as Doctor Wan, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Soul make at the box office?

The Soul grossed $9.6 million worldwide.

How is The Soul rated?

The Soul has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 71% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Soul have a post-credit scene?

No. The Soul has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Soul in?

The original language of The Soul is Chinese.

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