By Zhang Yimou is returning to the espionage genre with Scare Out, a tense new thriller. Set for release during China’s lucrative Spring Festival window, the film stars Jackson Yee and Zhu Yilong in leading roles.
The story unfolds after sensitive national intelligence is leaked, placing the country in immediate danger. A specialized security team is tasked with identifying the source, launching a rapid series of arrests that repeatedly come up empty. As pressure mounts and public stakes rise, suspicion begins to shift inward. Evidence points to a traitor operating from within the team itself, triggering a silent internal conflict where trust erodes and every move carries risk.
Zhang’s setup recalls the moral tension and claustrophobic paranoia that defined Cliff Walkers, blending procedural urgency with psychological warfare. The supporting cast includes Jia Song, Jiayin Lei, Mi Yang, Nathaniel Boyd, Shishi Liu, and Yi Zhang, many of whom have collaborated with Zhang or starred in recent large-scale Chinese productions.
Scare Out continues Zhang Yimou’s run of politically charged thrillers while spotlighting a younger generation of leading men.
Alibaba Pictures Group will release the film domestically on February 17, 2026.
