White Snake (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
White Snake is a 2019 action adventure film directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong, starring Wei Liu as Snake Master, Stephanie Sheh and Paul Yen. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $62.1 million worldwide on a $11.9 million budget. Critics gave it 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.
What Is White Snake About?
The premise of White Snake without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young woman discovers her mysterious past is connected to ancient forces and a forgotten identity. She finds herself intertwined with a snake catcher as they navigate a world filled with mythical beasts, trickster demons, and thrilling wuxia action. Their journey is complicated by those vying for power, and their quest for eternal love unfolds amidst danger and adventure, blending fantasy, romance, and stunning visuals.
White Snake Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- snake
- assassin
- magic
- demon
- cgi animation
- dragon
- love
- ancient
- farmers
- poverty
- emperor
- china
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- young boy
- snake hunter
- young girl
- making love
- kiss
- chinese anime
- sister sister relationship
- anime
- interspecies romance
- sequel baiting
- donghua
- chinese animation
- cg animation
- anime animation
- 3d animation
- human demon relationship
- human in love with demon
- fight
- transformation
- giant animal
- giant snake
- turned into a demon
- male female relationship
- xianxia
White Snake Cast & Characters
Wei Liu leads the cast as Snake Master, with Stephanie Sheh as Blanca and Paul Yen as Ah Xuan. Directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong; 19 actors are credited in all.
- Wei Liu as Snake Master
- Stephanie Sheh as Blanca
- Paul Yen as Ah Xuan
- Vivian Lu as Verta
Also Starring in White Snake
· 15 more- James Sie Dark General
- David Chen Narrator
- Vincent Rodriguez III Little General
- Lydia Look Auntie
- Karen Huie Snake Queen
- Matthew Moy Dudou
- Faye Mata Fox
- Kaiji Tang Chang Pan
- Tianxiang Yang A Xuan
- Zhe Zhang Xiao Bai
- Boheng Zhang Little General
- Xiaopu Zheng Foxy Boss
- Xiaoxi Tang Xiao Qing
- Yaohan Zhang Guo Shi
- He Zhang
White Snake Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave White Snake 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (45).
White Snake Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, White Snake delivers an arresting visual spectacle anchored by meticulously crafted animation, though its narrative and character development exhibit uneven execution. The production design and set pieces earn consistent acclaim for their intricate detail and immersive style, while the plot has been criticized for tangled storytelling and pacing issues. Emotional resonance appears in moments of the central romance but secondary characters frequently feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, the film’s striking artistry carries interest despite its inconsistent story and modest emotional impact.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, White Snake excels in its production design and visual composition. Critics praised the ravishingly constructed set pieces and striking cinematography, noting the attention to detail in vibrant environments and seamless direction. A handful of reviews mention that frenetic action sequences occasionally feel overloaded, but the overall design remains consistently impressive. The net result is a visually compelling presentation.
- Character & Emotion 55
When it comes to character and emotion, White Snake offers mixed results. Reviews highlighted moments of genuine chemistry in the central romance and occasional emotional depth, but also pointed to an underdevelopment of supporting figures and a lack of warmth. Some observers felt the protagonists’ motivations were unclear, diminishing emotional engagement. Overall, the character work feels uneven, providing limited resonance beyond key romantic beats.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and flow, the film presents an engaging mythical romance but struggles with coherence. Multiple reviewers described the narrative as tangled, with subplot saturation and uneven pacing especially in the finale. The dialogue and scenario were labeled mediocre at times, making the plot difficult to follow for first-time viewers. Ultimately, the storytelling remains workable but inconsistent, preventing sustained immersion.
- Sensory Experience 90
Regarding the sensory experience, White Snake delivers outstanding animation and sound design. Observers lauded the surreal sequences reminiscent of calligraphy paintings brought to life, alongside spectacular special effects and a dynamic soundtrack enhancing supernatural thrills. A minor criticism emerged that some flawless animated moments felt soulless, but this did little to diminish the film’s overall immersion. The sensory impact is exceptional and memorable.
- Rewatch Factor 70
When considering rewatch potential, White Snake offers moderate repeat appeal. The striking visuals and inventive action sequences invite subsequent viewings, as noted by viewers who appreciated the environments and intricate details. However, the uneven narrative coherence and limited character depth may reduce lasting engagement for some audiences. In the end, the film’s aesthetic strengths support occasional revisits despite story-driven reservations.
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IMDb 7.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 70% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 85%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 60 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 77% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
22 ratings
See on Letterboxd
White Snake Plot Summary
What happens in White Snake 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
The narrative unfolds with two sisters at a traditional Chinese bath, where they engage in a conversation about immortality. The story soon shifts focus to Blanca, a skilled assassin on a mission to eliminate a Tang general. During this mission, she finds herself caught in a magical brawl, culminating in her submerging into water and consequently losing her memories. Fortunately, she is rescued by Xuan (often referred to as Xu Xian), who brings her to Snake Catcher Village. In this village, the locals are dedicated to catching snakes, as these creatures are esteemed for their supposed connection to immortality.
Full summary
The whole story of White Snake, scene by scene
White Snake Box Office & Budget
White Snake grossed $62.1 million worldwide on a $11.9 million budget, 5.2 times what it cost. $34,730 came from the US and Canada and $62.1 million (100%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$62.1M
5.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $34.7K
- International
- $62.1M
- Budget
- $11.9M
White Snake Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.
- Clip White Snake [Official Clip #1, English Dub, GKIDS]
- Clip White Snake - [Official Clip #2, English Dub, GKIDS]
How Well Do You Know White Snake?
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 name of the skilled assassin who loses her memory at the beginning of the story?
White Snake Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “Bạch Xà” and “Bai She: Yuan qi”.
- Also known as
-
- Bạch Xà
- Bai She: Yuan qi
- La serpiente blanca
- Baishe: Yuanqi
- 백사전
- Báishé: Yuánqǐ
- 白蛇 缘起
- White Snake: The Legend Begins
- 白蛇: 縁起
- 白蛇 縁起
- อิทธิฤทธิ์นางพญานาคีขาว
- A Serpente Branca 1
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- 白蛇:緣起
- 백사: 인연의 시작
- Biały wąż
- Beyaz Yılan
- Белая Змея: Происхождение
- A Lenda da Serpente
- Fehér kígyó
- La leyenda de La serpiente
- Bạch Xà: Duyên Khởi
- White Snake - Die Legende der weissen Schlange
- مار سفید
- A Serpente Branca
- 白蛇:縁起
- La serp blanca: L'origen
- Baltoji gyvatė
- נחש לבן
Seen White Snake?
Movies Like White Snake
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including White Snake: Afloat, The Sorcerer and the White Snake and The Tale of the White Serpent.
White Snake FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of White Snake, each answered in a sentence.
How long is White Snake?
White Snake runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was White Snake released?
White Snake was released on November 15, 2019.
Who directed White Snake?
White Snake was directed by Ji Zhao and Amp Wong.
More films by Ji Zhao Who is in the cast of White Snake?
White Snake stars Wei Liu as Snake Master, Stephanie Sheh as Blanca and Paul Yen as Ah Xuan, among 19 credited actors.
How much did White Snake make at the box office?
White Snake grossed $62.1 million worldwide ($34,730 domestic, $62.1 million international) on a budget of $11.9 million.
How is White Snake rated?
White Snake has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.
Does White Snake have a post-credit scene?
Yes. White Snake has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
What language is White Snake in?
The original language of White Snake is Chinese.
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