Performance & Direction: The Promise Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Promise (2005) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Promise features a noteworthy lineup led by Cecilia Cheung . Supported by the likes of Liu Ye and Chen Hong , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Promise (2005) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Promise
Quick Plot Summary: The Promise is a Fantasy, Drama, Action, Thriller, Romance film that transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Promise
Ending Breakdown: The Promise attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to fantasy resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Promise reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Promise?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Fantasy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Promise
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $31.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: The Promise
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Promise Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoGoogle Play MoviesYouTube
Fandango At HomeThe Promise Parents Guide & Age Rating
2005 AdvisoryWondering about The Promise age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Promise is 121 minutes (2h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.5/10, and global collection metrics, The Promise stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2005 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Promise worth watching?
The Promise is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Promise parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Promise identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Promise?
The total duration of The Promise is 121 minutes, which is approximately 2h 1m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Promise
How The Promise Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Promise
Two young kids try to scrounge food on a battlefield. The girl uses cunning to get a cake the boy found. As she flees with it she drops it in the water. A female spirit offers her a deal : if she never find happy love, she will never be hungry (= rich) again. She accepts. General Guangming (Hiroyuki Sanada) is victorious in battle once again. He meets the spirit (in human form) that tells him someone will kill the king and stain his honor. He is wounded but is rescued by a slave, Kunlun (Dong-Gun Jang). He sends him to the palace with order to save the king, describing him as the only one without a weapon. Confused, he kills the king and escapes with Qinsheng (Cecilia Cheung), they are surrounded by soldiers and agrees to jump off the cliff to save Qinsheng. General Guanming is faced by his soldiers and saved again by Kunlun. He meets Qinsheng and falls in love. This is a Chinese fairytale. The story is very simple, what's important here is the characters, what their choices lead to, and morale of the portagonists (even the "evil" characters). The movie is known as "The Promise" (as for the promise of the little girl) or "Legend of the wind riders" (the tribe Kunlun comes from). There is some Wuxia elements, with incredible sword fights, incredible jumps and races ... Director Chen Kaige uses very bright colors that bring intensity and life to the movie, either using the scenery or costumes to this effect. The main characters, Kunlun and Qinsheng, are victims of fate and can only try to do their best of the situation. There is mostly drama here, with good hearted characters trying to keep their honor and follow their heart and aspirations until their last breath. Remarkable movie.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
