What Is As Tears Go By About?
The premise of As Tears Go By in 302 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the neon‑lit streets of Mong Kok, a world of tight alleys and constant hum of traffic forms the backdrop for a gritty undercurrent of loyalty and danger. Within this restless city, Wah moves between the shadows of his day‑to‑day work, carrying the weight of a mid‑level enforcer’s reputation while the urban pulse mirrors his inner turbulence. The film’s tone is both intimate and volatile, blending the glossy haze of streetlights with the stark reality of lives perched on the edge of violence.
Wah is not alone in this precarious balance. His protégé, Fly, is a restless, ambitious figure whose fierce energy both fuels and threatens the fragile order they try to keep. Their partnership is marked by an uneasy camaraderie, each aware that a single misstep could tip their world into chaos. The relationship between the two men is a study in brotherhood strained by the pressures of the streets, hinting at deeper questions about loyalty and the cost of survival.
When Wah receives an unexpected visit from his younger cousin Ngor, a quiet presence from a family restaurant on Lantau Island, the rigid contours of his life begin to blur. Ngor brings a softness and a chance at something gentler, offering a glimpse of ordinary life amidst the perpetual night of Mong Kok. Their growing connection sets up a quiet tension: a desire for a different future that conflicts with the demands of the world Wah inhabits.
The film swirls between the claustrophobic, neon‑washed alleys of the city and the calmer, sun‑lit spaces of the island, creating a visual and emotional contrast that underscores the characters’ inner conflicts. It invites the audience to wonder how far a man can stretch loyalty and love before the two forces collide, leaving the promise of an outcome as uncertain as the night itself.
What Happens in As Tears Go By?
The complete story of As Tears Go By, from the first scene to the last, in 690 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Wah [Andy Lau] is a mob enforcer in Mong Kok who primarily handles debt collection, moving between the neon-lit alleys and backstreets that define the district, while his hotheaded and overambitious protégé, Fly [Jacky Cheung], struggles to find real success and often drags him into trouble. One day, Wah receives a call from his aunt informing him that his younger cousin Ngor, [Maggie Cheung], who works at her family’s restaurant on Lantau Island, is visiting Mong Kok for a doctor’s appointment and will be staying with him briefly.
Soon after Ngor arrives, Wah leaves to help Fly collect a debt. After the job, Wah visits his girlfriend, Mabel [Wong Aau], who dumps him, revealing that she aborted his baby. Wah returns home drunk and furious, and when Ngor tries to console him, his temper flares and he threatens to throw her out. The next morning, Wah apologizes and tries to make amends, offering to take her out to a movie to smooth things over.
To pay off a loan from Tony, a fellow gangster, Fly makes an unreasonably high bet in a game of snooker. Realizing there is no chance he can win, he bolts with his friend Site through the streets. Tony’s gang gives chase, and the two are brutally beaten. Wah and Ngor are about to leave for the cinema when Fly arrives, bruised and carrying an unconscious Site. They tend to the wounds, and Ngor starts to question Wah’s line of work. The next day, Ngor returns to Lantau, leaving Wah a note asking him to visit someday.
Wah goes to Tony to settle Fly’s debt. Unable to pay the interest, Wah robs the establishment that Tony is hired to protect. Tony feels insulted and takes his grievance to Uncle Kwan, the mob boss, who forces a compromise. Kwan tells Wah to get Fly under control before the latter winds up dead. Conceding that Fly is not cut out for mob life, Wah arranges a legitimate job for him—selling fishballs from a small cart.
Wah later runs into Mabel again and discovers she is now married. He makes a quiet, stubborn visit to Ngor on Lantau, waiting a full day to meet her at the ferry terminal. Over the following days, Wah helps out at the family restaurant and grows closer to Ngor, and their bond deepens as he begins to see a possible future beyond the violence. Meanwhile Tony insults Fly at his new job, and Fly answers with a reckless act that wrecks Tony’s car; a swift counterattack from Tony’s gang leaves Fly nearly dead. Wah receives a call from Tony demanding money in exchange for Fly’s life, and he races to Tony’s place.
Wah bursts in, surprises Tony, and forces his release of Fly at gunpoint. He urges Fly to return to his family in honest work, but Fly refuses, clinging to a misguided sense of loyalty and bravado. As they step out of a bar, they are set upon by Tony’s men and brutally beaten. Fly begs Wah to leave him behind, admitting he is a failure and a terrible friend. Wah staggers back toward Lantau, where Ngor and her doctor treat his wounds. He slowly recovers, and the two rekindle their relationship, clinging to the fragile hope of a quieter life together.
Back in Mong Kok, Uncle Kwan arranges a new assignment for Tony—an assassination of an informant. Tony is reluctant, a mission that looks to be a suicide, but Fly volunteers, eager to prove himself. Fly humiliates Tony in front of the others, and the mob’s loyalty begins to fray as Tony’s thugs abandon him in disgust. Hearing this, Wah tracks Fly down, trying to talk him out of taking the hit. At the police station, Fly shoots at the informant but misses; he is quickly gunned down by the police. Wah arrives in the nick of time, seizes Fly’s gun, and finishes the job himself, only to fall under a hail of bullets as well. In his final moments, he remembers that first kiss with Ngor, a memory that stands in stark contrast to the violence that defined his life.
As Tears Go By Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Wah learns Ngor will stay with him in Mong Kok” to “Wah finishes the job and dies, memory of Ngor's kiss”. 13 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Wah learns Ngor will stay with him in Mong Kok
Wah, a mob enforcer in Mong Kok, is told by his aunt that his younger cousin Ngor will visit and stay with him for a while. Ngor works at her family's restaurant on Lantau Island, which forces Wah to balance crime and family obligations. The arrival of Ngor sets up a tension between Wah's violent world and his lingering care for family.
Where:Mong Kok
- 2
Ngor arrives; Wah helps Fly collect a debt
Ngor's arrival coincides with Wah heading out to help Fly collect a debt. The operation is rough and exposes Fly's overambition and fragility. After the job, Wah goes to see his girlfriend Mabel, who reveals she has aborted his baby and ends things.
Where:Mong Kok
- 3
Mabel dumps Wah; Wah returns home drunk and threatens Ngor
Mabel ends their relationship, revealing the abortion. Wah stumbles home drunk, and when Ngor tries to console him, he becomes aggressive and threatens to throw her out. The night leaves Wah's personal life in turmoil.
Where:Wah's home
- 4
Wah apologizes and plans a movie with Ngor
The next morning Wah apologizes to Ngor and offers to take her to a movie to make amends. The moment hints at a possibility of a quieter life away from debt and violence. The relationship between Wah and Ngor begins to deepen.
When:Next morning Where:Mong Kok
- 5
Fly's reckless snooker bet backfires; beaten
Fly makes an unreasonably high snooker bet to pay Tony, but realizes there is little chance of winning. He and Site are chased and severely beaten by Tony's gang. Wah and Ngor tend to their wounds, and Ngor starts to question Wah's line of work.
Where:City streets
- 6
Ngor leaves for Lantau; Wah plans to visit someday
The next day Ngor returns to Lantau, leaving Wah a note asking him to visit someday. Wah's life continues in the orbit of debt and danger, while his feelings for Ngor linger.
When:Next day Where:Lantau
- 7
Wah and Tony strike a deal; Fly gets a lawful gig
Wah meets Tony to settle Fly's debt but cannot pay the interest. He robs the establishment Tony guards, prompting Uncle Kwan, the mob boss, to intervene and broker a compromise. Wah is told to keep Fly under control, and Fly is moved into a legitimate job selling fishballs from a cart.
Where:Tony's domain / Uncle Kwan's office
- 8
Wah reconnects with Ngor on Lantau
Wah learns Mabel is now married and decides to visit Ngor on Lantau, waiting at the ferry terminal. Over the next days, he helps at the restaurant and grows closer to Ngor, strengthening their bond. Wah starts to hope for a life away from constant danger.
Where:Lantau Island
- 9
Tony insults Fly; Fly wrecks Tony's car but is beaten
Back in Mong Kok, Tony taunts Fly at his new job, prompting Fly to wreck Tony's car in retaliation. Tony's gang catches up with Fly and beats him near to death, escalating the violence around their gang dynamics. Wah contemplates the consequences of this cycle.
Where:Mong Kok
- 10
Wah confronts Tony to save Fly
Wah tracks Tony down, holds him at gunpoint, and forces Tony to release Fly. He urges Fly to return to his family in the countryside, but Fly refuses to abandon the life he chose. The confrontation cements a fissure between Wah and his protégé.
Where:Tony's place
Show the other 3 events of As Tears Go By Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Bar attack and Wah returns to Lantau to recover
Leaving a bar, Wah and Fly are attacked by Tony's gang and severely beaten. Wah drags himself back to Lantau with Ngor, where a doctor tends his wounds and he begins a slow recovery. The injury rekindles Wah and Ngor's relationship in quieter moments.
Where:On the road to Lantau; Lantau
- 12
Fly's failed hit; police reaction
Back in Mong Kok, Uncle Kwan assigns Tony a mission to assassinate an informant, but Tony is unwilling to take a suicide assignment. Fly volunteers and is humiliated by Tony, triggering his reckless pursuit. Fly shoots at the informant at the police station but is quickly gunned down by officers.
Where:Mong Kok; police station
- 13
Wah finishes the job and dies, memory of Ngor's kiss
Arriving in time, Wah grabs Fly's gun and completes the hit, but is gunned down himself in the process. As he lies dying, he remembers his first kiss with Ngor, a moment that momentarily transcends the violence around him. The film closes on the contrast between loyalty and loss.
Where:Mong Kok / police precinct
Who Are the Main Characters in As Tears Go By?
5 characters, among them Wah (Andy Lau), Ngor (Maggie Cheung) and Fly (Jacky Cheung): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Wah (Andy Lau)
Played by Andy Lau
A hotheaded mob enforcer in Mong Kok whose loyalty to Fly drags him deeper into crime. He cares for Ngor but struggles to balance violence with tenderness, leading to volatile outbursts and remorse. His arc moves from ruthless debt collector to a protective figure for Fly, culminating in a self-sacrificial, tragic end.
- ⚔️ Gangster
- 💔 Complex loyalty
- 🧭 Moral conflict
-
Ngor (Maggie Cheung)
Played by Maggie Cheung
Wah’s younger cousin from Lantau who works at her family’s restaurant. She embodies a gentler path away from Wah’s violent world and questions the life Wah leads. Her presence pushes Wah toward self-reflection and ultimately contributes to his longing for a different future before returning to Lantau.
- 💫 Compassion
- 🕊️ Stability
- 🌊 Island roots
- F(
Fly (Jacky Cheung)
Played by Jacky Cheung
Wah’s hotheaded protégé who pursues status through reckless bets and street prestige. He resents authority and resists legitimacy, often provoking Tony and dragging others into danger. His reckless choices lead to brutal consequences, including a near-fatal beating and, ultimately, death.
- 🔥 Recklessness
- 🧭 Ambition
- 🎭 Impulsiveness
- T(
Tony (Alex Man Chi-Leung)
Played by Alex Man Chi-Leung
A mob boss under pressure from Uncle Kwan who uses debt and intimidation to control others. He pushes Fly to take dangerous jobs and retaliates when his power is challenged. His conflict with Wah drives much of the plot toward its violent conclusion.
- 🗡️ Power
- 💰 Mafia
- 🧠 Cunning
- M(
Mabel (Wong Aau)
Played by Wong Aau
Wah’s girlfriend who leaves him after revealing she aborted his baby, signaling the fragile balance between personal life and a life of crime. She later appears as a married woman, illustrating the personal cost of Wah’s world and his missed chance at happiness.
- 💔 Love
- 💍 Relationship choices
- 🕊️ Reflection
Where and When Is As Tears Go By Set?
As Tears Go By is set in Mong Kok and Lantau Island (1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1980s
Set in 1980s Hong Kong, a pivotal era of rapid urban growth and vibrant street culture. The underworld operates within a crowded, high-stakes city where loyalties are tested by debt and violence. Personal relationships are strained by violence and the pursuit of status within criminal networks. The backdrop emphasizes a collision between glamorous city life and brutal, everyday crime.
Where
Mong Kok, Lantau Island
Mong Kok is a dense, neon-lit urban district in Kowloon known for its crowded streets, markets, and a rough underworld pace. The story unfolds among alleyways and late-night debt collections, placing Wah at the center of a tense, street-level economy. Lantau Island appears as a quieter, more rural counterpoint where Ngor works at her family restaurant and yearns for a calmer life. The contrast between the two places highlights the tension between city violence and island innocence.
- 🌃 Urban district
- 🗺️ Island setting
- 🕶️ Nightlife and markets
What Are the Themes of As Tears Go By?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Loyalty, Ambition and Love and Loss.
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01
Loyalty
Loyalty drives many key decisions, binding Wah to Fly even as Fly’s recklessness endangers them both. Ngor’s arrival tests the limits of Wah’s loyalties, forcing him to choose between family, friends, and love. The story continually returns to what characters owe one another, and whether loyalty can survive the brutal demands of the underworld.
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02
Ambition
Fly’s hunger for recognition pushes him toward dangerous gambles and a life beyond legitimate work. Tony manipulates ambition to tighten his grip on power, turning debts into leverage. Wah’s dual impulse to protect his friend and stabilize his own life shows how ambition can spiral into violence.
-
03
Love and Loss
Romantic and familial relationships anchor the emotional core of the story. Wah’s romance with Mabel deteriorates as violence intrudes, and Ngor’s quiet care offers a humane counterpoint to the chaos. The eventual separations and memory of Ngor’s kiss underscore how love persists even as life collapses around the characters.
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04
Fate and Violence
The film traces a inexorable cycle of violence and retribution that characters struggle to escape. Choices in debt, loyalty, and retaliation set off a chain of events culminating in a fatal confrontation with law and mob. The ending reinforces that fate in this world often arrives through a hail of bullets and hard decisions.
What Kind of Film Is As Tears Go By?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A gritty and melancholic crime drama that builds a tense, tragic atmosphere, following a mob enforcer torn between a fragile hope for love and the violent loyalty that defines his doomed existence.
- melancholic
- gritty
- tense
- lonely
- tragic
- brutal
- criminal underworld
- brotherly bond
- forbidden love
- loyalty
Content notes: graphic violence, torture, brutal beatings, assassination, gun violence.
Quiz
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