Drama Digest
Twenty years later, an unsolved girl’s murder case recurs, again awakening the memories of a sleepy town. Being unable to let go of the upsetting memories, Shan Feng, who was once a witness to the murder case, now returns to the village as a police officer. When he looks for the truth, he finds that everyone involved in the case has undergone significant changes.
The Feel-Good Part
The plot’s most compelling element is how the main antagonist hides in plain sight until everything comes together, gradually revealing himself, and how the narrative shows that there are only two degrees of separation between people in these small rural towns.
The Disappointing Factor
The motivations of many of the main protagonists and antagonists are hollow, and the narrative is overly dramatic. Even though many of the individuals in this story do horrific, terrible things, the trauma they endure and the actions they commit appear out of all proportion to the circumstances that prompted these extreme reactions. Too many characters suffer from severe dysfunction and are propelled toward tragic events solely to hurt those around them.
In-Depth Analysis
Crimson River is another entry in the iQiYi’s ‘Light On’ line of TV crime dramas. The show sets in a town on the Wu river, a tributary of the Yangste river, close to the Three Gorges, as opposed to the most recent series, which is in sprawling urban areas. The way the series is structured allows us to understand the motivation for the recent murder by the end of the third episode. By the sixth, we know who the murderer is. In contrast to some of the other Light On series, this one is very character-driven and takes frequent breaks to allow for character growth. Unfortunately, the series loses its way in the second half after a promising beginning with an increasingly unbelievable and incoherent serial killer story and a stereotypical wild-eyed murderer. The execution of the premise set in the drama, the moody atmosphere, and the suspenseful tension grab your attention and gets you hooked on the show. The confusing plot, the marginally slow pacing of the show, and the absence of main stars caused a lack of appeal in the series to the viewers.
Star Power
You Jingrou portrayed the role of Ye Xiaohe (a friend of the most recent victim) with great expressions. Other than that, there is not any specific remarkable performance to point out in the show.
Overall Opinion
If you have been keeping up with the ‘Lights On’ series, this show is relatively better than the rest. It is a nice quick watch if you want some cheap thrills.
