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Crime thriller

Shock Wave 2 (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Shock Wave 2 (2020) movie poster

Shock Wave 2 is a 2020 crime thriller directed by Herman Yau, starring Fung Yu-Chun as Young Poon Shing Fung, Andy Lau and Ni Ni. It runs 2 hours and earned $198.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. Its Echo Score is 64/100. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and AsianCrush, or rent or buy it on Google Play Movies and YouTube.

worldwide gross
$198.9M
Echo Score
64
budget
$40M
Shock Wave 2 (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Director
Herman Yau
Genres
Crime , Thriller , Action
Original language
Cantonese
Budget
$40M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Shock Wave 2 About?

The premise of Shock Wave 2 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a career-altering injury, bomb disposal expert Fung leaves the police force. When a wave of bombings rocks Hong Kong, suspicion falls on him after he's discovered unconscious near a crime scene. Suffering from memory loss and struggling to piece together his past, Fung investigates to clear his name and discover the truth about his identity and the events that led to the attacks.

Shock Wave 2 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • drone
  • hong kong
  • workout
  • police officer
  • police officer killed
  • police officer shot
  • police officer shot in the chest
  • police shootout
  • police officer killed in hospital
  • police officer shot in the back
  • valknut symbol
  • airplane
+38 more
  • hong kong airport
  • groupfie
  • mushroom cloud
  • hand grenade
  • grenade
  • watch shop
  • explosive and ordnance division
  • cat
  • rescue gone wrong
  • hospital
  • loss of leg
  • flower bouquet
  • low five
  • five years later
  • suicide bomber
  • academic dress
  • academic cap and gown
  • airport
  • fighting in an elevator
  • elevator
  • defibrillation
  • salute
  • character asks are you ready
  • bombing suspect
  • bomb disposal officer
  • coma
  • terror attack
  • amnesia
  • booby trap
  • microwave
  • package
  • storage locker
  • terrorist
  • hotel
  • handcuffed
  • man uses a crutch
  • shootout
  • shootout in a hospital
Where to watch

Where to Watch Shock Wave 2

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and AsianCrush, or rent or buy it from Google Play Movies and YouTube. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Shock Wave 2 Cast & Characters

Fung Yu-Chun leads the cast as Young Poon Shing Fung, with Andy Lau as Poon Shing Fung and Ni Ni as Pong Ling. Directed by Herman Yau; 190 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Shock Wave 2

· 186 more
Show all 190 cast members
Ratings

Shock Wave 2 Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (45).

64 /100

Shock Wave 2 Echo Score Breakdown

Shock Wave 2 delivers a high‑octane action experience that largely satisfies genre enthusiasts, yet its narrative inconsistencies hinder broader appeal. Critics commend the film's visual flair and relentless pacing, while several point to an over‑reliance on flashbacks and an unwieldy plot. User reactions echo this split, with some praising the spectacle and performances, but others finding the story forgettable after a brief viewing. The combined effect results in a moderately entertaining yet uneven sequel.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with vivid set‑pieces and crisp cinematography. Critics highlight the explosive opening and brisk pacing, and users note impressive visual effects despite occasional CGI slips. The direction maintains momentum, and production design supports the high‑stakes setting. Overall, the technical execution is strong, contributing positively to the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When assessing character and emotion, performances are generally competent. Critics are sparse on acting commentary, but users specifically praise the lead's nuanced portrayal and convincing ensemble work. Some reviewers mention that strong acting is undermined by plot flaws, yet the chemistry in action sequences remains effective. The character work is solid, though not a standout element of the film.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow emerge as the film's weakest component. Critics observe a convoluted plot burdened by flashbacks and an overwrought premise, while users describe pacing issues and a lack of narrative continuity with the predecessor. Predictable twists and filler scenes dilute tension, leading many to view the storyline as uneven and forgettable. Consequently, the narrative scores low relative to other aspects.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Sensory experience receives a mixed yet favorable assessment. Reviewers commend the loud, kinetic sound design and striking visual style, noting effective explosions and action choreography. Users acknowledge impressive VFX overall, despite sporadic CGI mishaps and a score that can feel overbearing. The auditory and visual elements largely reinforce the film's energetic tone, supporting its appeal to action fans.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film offers enough spectacle to merit a second viewing for enthusiasts. Critics recommend it for action aficionados, and users who enjoy exaggerated set‑pieces echo this sentiment. However, the forgettable story and occasional tonal excess reduce lasting impact, causing some viewers to forget the film quickly. The result is a respectable, if not essential, repeatability score.

Plot

Shock Wave 2 Plot Summary

What happens in Shock Wave 2 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Hong Kong, a shadowy group called Vendetta launches a brazen attack on the city’s education system, detonating bombs that draw intense police scrutiny. At the center of the storm is Poon Shing Fung, Andy Lau, a former Hong Kong Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer who lost his leg in a rescue mission five years earlier. His career was cut short by his superiors, who feared the scandal of employing a handicapped officer would taint the police, and that betrayal pushes him toward Vendetta, seeking a sense of purpose and revenge.

Full summary

The whole story of Shock Wave 2, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Shock Wave 2 Box Office & Budget

Shock Wave 2 grossed $198.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 5.0 times what it cost.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$198.9M

5.0× its budget

International
$198.9M
Budget
$40M
Videos

Shock Wave 2 Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Shock Wave 2 (2020) 拆弹专家2 - Movie Trailer - Far East Films
  • Trailer Shock Wave 2 (2020) 拆弹专家2 - Movie Trailer 2 - Far East Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Shock Wave 2?

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

Who is the leader of the terrorist organization Vendetta?

Details

Shock Wave 2 Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “Shock Wave: Hong Kong Destruction” and “คนคมถล่มนิวเคลียร์”.

Also known as
  • Shock Wave: Hong Kong Destruction
  • คนคมถล่มนิวเคลียร์
  • Onda de Choque 2
  • 拆弹专家2
  • Chak dan juen ga 2
  • City under Fire - Die Bombe tickt
  • Ударная волна: Битва за Гонконг
  • Más allá de la onda expansiva
  • 쇼크 웨이브 2
  • Shock Wave 2: Más allá de la onda expansiva
  • Sóng Dữ 2
  • Şok Dalgası 2
+5 more
  • Shock Wave - Ultimatum a Hong Kong
  • Lökéshullám 2.
  • バーニング・ダウン 爆発都市
  • Més enllà de l'ona expansiva
  • Ударна вълна 2

Seen Shock Wave 2?

FAQ

Shock Wave 2 FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Shock Wave 2, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Shock Wave 2?

Shock Wave 2 runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was Shock Wave 2 released?

Shock Wave 2 was released on December 24, 2020.

Who directed Shock Wave 2?

Shock Wave 2 was directed by Herman Yau.

More films by Herman Yau

Who is in the cast of Shock Wave 2?

Shock Wave 2 stars Fung Yu-Chun as Young Poon Shing Fung, Andy Lau as Poon Shing Fung and Ni Ni as Pong Ling, among 190 credited actors.

Where can I watch Shock Wave 2?

In the US, Shock Wave 2 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, AsianCrush and Cineverse and available to rent or buy on Google Play Movies and YouTube (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Shock Wave 2 make at the box office?

Shock Wave 2 grossed $198.9 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million.

Does Shock Wave 2 have a post-credit scene?

No. Shock Wave 2 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Shock Wave 2 in?

The original language of Shock Wave 2 is Cantonese.

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