Fish Under the Ice

About This Movie

So, 'Fish Under the Ice' is this quiet, contemplative drama about an elderly woman, Zhao Lihua. She's 82 and dealing with the melancholy of loss, which the film captures really well. The pacing is slow, but it never feels tedious—just reflective. The bathhouse is almost a character in itself, a place of both hope and rejection. The atmosphere is heavy with loneliness, yet there's a subtle warmth in how her son, Zhu Hongbing, tries to bring some light into her life by seeking companions for her. The performances are nuanced, especially Lihua’s, showing a range of emotions without needing to say much. It’s not flashy or over-the-top, but that’s what makes it stand out—it feels very real, very human.

Elderly perspective on grief · Unique setting of the bathhouse · Exploration of family dynamics