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Action thriller

Operation Red Sea (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Operation Red Sea (2018) movie poster

Operation Red Sea is a 2018 action thriller directed by Dante Lam, starring Luxia Jiang as Tong Li, Fang Yin and Johnny Huang. It runs 2 hours 22 minutes and earned $579.3 million worldwide on a $70 million budget. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$579.3M
Echo Score
67
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Operation Red Sea (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 22m (142 min)
Director
Dante Lam
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , War
Original language
Chinese
Budget
$70M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Operation Red Sea About?

The premise of Operation Red Sea without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When conflict erupts in Yemen, a skilled Chinese naval commando team is deployed on a perilous mission. They must urgently rescue civilians and confront dangerous terrorists, facing intense challenges that push their abilities and resolve to the limit. The operation unfolds amidst a chaotic and war-torn landscape, demanding precision, courage, and unwavering dedication.

Operation Red Sea Themes & Keywords

· 16 tags
  • chinese soldier
  • chinese military
  • people's liberation army
  • naval officer
  • propaganda filmmaking
  • red sea
  • chinese army
  • ship's crew
  • naval uniform
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
  • morocco
+4 more
  • people's army
  • naval battleship
  • propaganda
  • political propaganda
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Cast & crew

Operation Red Sea Cast & Characters

Luxia Jiang leads the cast as Tong Li, with Fang Yin as Li Dong and Johnny Huang as Gu Shun. Directed by Dante Lam; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Operation Red Sea

· 7 more
Ratings

Operation Red Sea Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Operation Red Sea 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in character & emotion (45).

67 /100

Operation Red Sea Echo Score Breakdown

In general, Operation Red Sea excels as a visceral action thriller but is undermined by its one-dimensional narrative and character development. Reviews consistently praise its meticulously choreographed combat sequences and dynamic cinematography, noting the palpable sense of urgency in every set piece. However, the lack of moral nuance and a formulaic plot dampens sustained engagement. The net effect is a technically impressive spectacle that falls short of dramatic depth.

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 direction and cinematography, the film delivers highly polished and impactful set pieces. The practical effects and miniature work are frequently highlighted for their realism, while the editing sustains relentless momentum. Critics note Dante Lam’s confident staging of large-scale sequences, and users praise the raw intensity of battle imagery. Overall, the film showcases strong craftsmanship that anchors its visceral appeal.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film is notably shallow. Reviews point out that protagonists lack moral ambiguity and psychological complexity, reducing several figures to archetypal heroes. Although the camaraderie among the team is intermittently acknowledged, emotional stakes are rarely developed beyond surface-level loyalty. The result is a cast whose connection to viewers remains limited by its uniform portrayal of virtue.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, the narrative delivers brisk action sequences but offers limited originality. Critics criticize the film’s formulaic structure and overtly jingoistic elements, while users note predictability in key story turns. Pacing is energetic during combat scenes but stalls when establishing context, leading to uneven engagement. The overall plot functions primarily as a vehicle for action rather than dramatic innovation.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film excels in its sound design and visual intensity. Users and critics alike mention the thunderous impact of gunfire, explosions, and a forceful soundtrack that heightens tension. The integration of night-vision and drone footage creates a cohesive and immersive style, while the visceral depiction of combat reinforces a raw aesthetic. The net effect is a highly stimulating audiovisual experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    With regard to rewatch value, opinions are mixed based on the balance between spectacle and substance. The film’s relentless action offers enough novelty for fans to revisit key battles, yet its repetitive and extended combat sequences may diminish long-term appeal. Some viewers appreciate the technical execution upon repeat viewings, while others find the lack of narrative depth limits sustained enjoyment. The rewatch incentive is mainly driven by action sequences.

Plot

Operation Red Sea Plot Summary

What happens in Operation Red Sea from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

While conducting their patrol in the Red Sea, the Chinese Navy receives an urgent distress signal indicating that local pirates are boarding a cargo ship, threatening the safety of Chinese passengers and crew members. In response, they deploy the 8-member Jiaolong Assault Team to serve as their forward unit, tasked with slowing down the pirates’ advance until heavily armed naval vessels can reach the location. With the aid of a helicopter and a skilled sniper from their team, they make commendable strides in stabilizing the dire situation while they wait for the main fleet to arrive.

However, amidst the operation, the sniper sustains a devastating spinal injury due to enemy gunfire and requires replacement. Upon the arrival of the main fleet, the assault team is lauded for their efforts.

Full summary

The whole story of Operation Red Sea, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Operation Red Sea Box Office & Budget

Operation Red Sea grossed $579.3 million worldwide on a $70 million budget, 8.3 times what it cost. $1.5 million came from the US and Canada and $577.8 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$579.3M

8.3× its budget

US & Canada
$1.5M
International
$577.8M
Budget
$70M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Videos

Operation Red Sea Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official International Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Operation Red Sea?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the primary mission of the Jiaolong Assault Team?

Cars

Cars in Operation Red Sea

94 cars on screen, including the Chrysler M60 A1 RISE (P) and the 1986 Fiat Croma.

All 94 cars
  • Chrysler M60 A1 RISE (P) in Operation Red Sea Chrysler M60 A1 RISE (P) Important role
  • 1986 Fiat Croma in Operation Red Sea 1986 Fiat Croma Important role
  • 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero in Operation Red Sea 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Important role
  • Toyota Land Cruiser in Operation Red Sea Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
Details

Operation Red Sea Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “홍해행동” and “מבצע ים סוף”.

Also known as
  • 홍해행동
  • מבצע ים סוף
  • Operasyon Dagat Pula
  • Операция в Красном море
  • Kızıldeniz Operasyonu
  • 오퍼레이션 레드 씨
  • Операция "Червено море"
  • 紅海行動
  • Operace Rudé moře
  • מבצע הים האדום
  • Operación Mar Rojo
  • A túlélés dicsősége
+7 more
  • Operacja Morze Czerwone
  • Sequestro no Mar Vermelho
  • Operațiunea Marea Roșie
  • ยุทธภูมิทะเลแดง
  • オペレーション:レッド・シー
  • Điệp Vụ Biển Đỏ
  • عملية البحر الأحمر, ოპერაცია წითელი ზღვა

Seen Operation Red Sea?

FAQ

Operation Red Sea FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Operation Red Sea?

Operation Red Sea runs 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes).

When was Operation Red Sea released?

Operation Red Sea was released on February 23, 2018.

Who directed Operation Red Sea?

Operation Red Sea was directed by Dante Lam.

More films by Dante Lam

Who is in the cast of Operation Red Sea?

Operation Red Sea stars Luxia Jiang as Tong Li, Fang Yin as Li Dong and Johnny Huang as Gu Shun, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Operation Red Sea make at the box office?

Operation Red Sea grossed $579.3 million worldwide ($1.5 million domestic, $577.8 million international) on a budget of $70 million.

How is Operation Red Sea rated?

Operation Red Sea has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Operation Red Sea have a post-credit scene?

No. Operation Red Sea has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Operation Red Sea in?

The original language of Operation Red Sea is Chinese.

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