Watching: Red Paper Crane

Overview

Red Paper Crane is a gripping Chinese drama based on a true case, released on the sixth anniversary of the Anti-Domestic Violence Law. Flight attendant Ouyang Zhihe appears to have a happy family—until one rainy night, she brutally murders her husband with a golf club. Arrested and silent, she rejects legal aid. But lawyer Zhang Tong, a longtime advocate for women’s rights, refuses to give up on her. Through interviews with family, colleagues, and in-laws, Zhang uncovers a hidden history of domestic violence, infidelity, and psychological torment. As layers of lies and trauma are peeled back, the film reveals how a perfect marriage turned deadly—and delivers a powerful reflection on violence, resilience, and female strength.