Operation Red Sea (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 22m (142 min)
- Director
- Dante Lam
- Original language
-
Chinese
- Studio
- Well Go USA Entertainment
- Budget
- $70M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- people's army
- naval battleship
- propaganda
- political propaganda
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.
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Director Dante Lam
-
Luxia Jiang as Tong Li -
Fang Yin as Li Dong - Johnny Huang as Gu Shun
- Yi Zhang as Yang Rui
Also Starring in Operation Red Sea
· 7 more- Hai-Qing Xia Nan
- Henry Prince Mak Zhuang Yu
- Jiang Du Xu Hong
- Yutian Wang Zhang Tiande
- Jiahao Guo Lu Chen
- Noureddine Aberdine Executionner
- Sanâa Alaoui Ina
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 80% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 64%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
3 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.7 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$579.3M
8.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $1.5M
- International
- $577.8M
- Budget
- $70M
Operation Red Sea Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the primary mission of the Jiaolong Assault Team?
Cars in Operation Red Sea
94 cars on screen, including the Chrysler M60 A1 RISE (P) and the 1986 Fiat Croma.
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Chrysler M60 A1 RISE (P) Important role -
1986 Fiat Croma Important role -
2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Important role -
Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Operation Red Sea
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Sea, The Red Sea Diving Resort and Operation Mekong.
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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