Ni xing ren sheng

Upstream is a powerful Chinese drama by director-actor Xu Zheng that dives deep into the crisis of middle age in the gig economy era. Set in post-pandemic China, the film follows Cao Zhilv, a 45-year-old IT engineer who loses his job and is forced to become a food delivery driver to support his family. What follows is a gritty, emotional journey through economic despair, generational pressure, and quiet resilience.

The film's greatest strength lies in its social commentary. It boldly addresses age discrimination, labor exploitation, and the brutal reality of "996" work culture. Xu Zheng delivers a deeply human performance - weary, proud, and quietly desperate - supported by raw cinematography that focuses on facial expressions and daily struggle rather than melodrama.

A standout scene shows Cao bleeding and exhausted, still determined to deliver an order - a gut-wrenching metaphor for dignity amidst dehumanization. The ending, where he builds a navigation app to help fellow delivery workers, has sparked debate. Some see it as overly optimistic, brushing past deeper structural issues. Others embrace it as a symbol of hope and self-reinvention.

While the secondary characters could have been fleshed out more, and certain moments feel dramatized, Upstream remains a poignant and timely film. It doesn't offer easy answers, but it makes you pause, reflect, and empathize - and that, perhaps, is its greatest achievement.

Verdict: A moving and socially conscious film that gives a voice to the often invisible workforce. Recommended for fans of grounded dramas like The Pursuit of Happyness or Nomadland.

I did not have any expectation about this. Nor any references about the movie, the director, the casts, the plot. Nope. I happened to played it this morning on Netflix and boy, it completely kept me stuck to it! I know it is going to be a predictable plot and story but it is perfectly shot, made, acted, edited.. very good production! I really enjoyed the pictures, the editing. It shows the craziness of the bike delivery life in Shanghai (?) perfectly. There are some over dramatic scenes and situation but all to me are acceptable and in line to the story. The 5 minutes closing credit is also very worth watching, do not pass it. I become more respect to the fact that the main actor is the director. He did a very good job.

Beautifully made; all about work-life-what it means to be a family. One of the very few movies recently watched talking about real life and this is one such movie. Life can take any path, unpredictable; despite any challenges faced how one can help oneself bounce back and what it means to be a family to be with you and support you in whatever you wanted to do to stand up again during such times makes life meaningful and and builds the bond which stays stronger. Father Mother Spouse child. This movie captures all the aspects of it, including work, competition, relationship with friends and customers.

If you have spent more than 2 days even as a tourist in China, chances are good you had a near-miss traffic accident with a "knight" in yellow-clad armour.

This movie gives us a closer look at the overlooked. In China's biggest cities, the yellow "knights" as they are lovingly called buzz around like bees. Always trying to take a shortcut and running a red light to make a quick buck, the service economy runs on poor non-registered workers risking their life for little pay.

Although thoroughly enjoyable, there's two aspects that hold this movie back slightly: first, the performances are good but the wife actress sticks out like a sore thumb. Poorly acted and poorer written still, it takes you out of the story every time she's on screen. Second, there's several parts where the movie really feels like a propaganda piece paid for by Kuai Di companies. Delivering bravely in the rain, to rooftops, to hospitals, all to become the "top driver" and save a kid with leukemia, it actually looks exactly like a popular Kaui Di ad that used to run on Chinese TV.

So it's 4/5 for this delivery.

Upstream is an extraordinary cinematic masterpiece that captures a powerful and deeply relatable story. The narrative resonates with the reality that many people face, pushing viewers to reflect on their own lives. For me, it sparked intense introspection about my career and life choices, especially my decision to pursue IT as a profession. Over time, this field has begun to feel like a temporary phase, one where obsolescence is almost inevitable. The film made me realise how important it is to evaluate where we stand and what truly matters in life.

The acting, directing, and overall execution of this film are nothing short of phenomenal. Each actor delivered a performance so authentic and emotionally compelling that it completely immersed me in their world. The director's vision is clear, and the story flows with a perfect balance of emotion, tension, and realism. It's far beyond what we often see in big-budget productions like Disney's Marvel films, which can sometimes feel repetitive and shallow. Upstream stands out for its depth, originality, and the meaningful impact it leaves on its audience.

What makes this film even more remarkable is its ability to inspire self-reflection and motivation. It serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that at some point, we all need to reassess our lives and strive towards our true goals. It's a rare film that not only entertains but also delivers a profound message. Huge respect to the creators for producing something so meaningful and impactful. Keep up the exceptional work-this is the kind of storytelling that changes perspectives and stays with viewers long after the credits roll.