A Hidden Cop Hunts His Family's Killers: Times of Peril Review

This Times of Peril review covers a compact Chinese action-crime film from director Liu Qingsong. It runs just 63 minutes, so it moves fast and wastes little time on small talk. Here is what it offers and who should press play.

The film arrived on 2025-08-20 and stars Louis Fan Siu-wong. Reliable critical coverage is thin, so this verdict rests on what the film sets out to do and how its premise holds together.

Times of Peril Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Times of Peril plot starts on the turbulent border of a fictional "Country K," where conflict never really stops. Police officer Song Shao loses a comrade during a mission. His wife is later caught up in the consequences of the same dangerous world.

Song retires and takes a false name to keep his only daughter safe. Quietly, he keeps tracking the people he holds responsible for destroying his family.

The story kicks into gear when his daughter is drawn into a kidnapping case. That is the point where his enemies come out of the shadows. I will stop there, because the fun of a revenge thriller lies in how it gets from setup to showdown.

What Works in Times of Peril

The premise is simple and easy to follow. A father in hiding, a child in danger and an old grudge are all you need to understand the stakes. Anyone who enjoys straightforward action movie reviews will recognise the formula at once.

The short runtime is a real asset. At 63 minutes, the film has no room for padding, and the pace stays brisk. If you want a quick genre fix rather than a long commitment, that matters.

The border setting also gives the film a gritty backdrop. The idea of a place where fighting rages year-round supports the tense, dangerous mood, and it explains why Song Shao might want to vanish.

• A clear, emotional hook built around a parent protecting a child

• A lean runtime that suits the material

• A mix of crime-thriller intrigue and action beats

Times of Peril Cast and Performances

The Times of Peril cast is led by Louis Fan Siu-wong, a name familiar to martial-arts and action fans. He is joined by Tong Yixuan, Li Binglei, Kou Zhanwen, Yang Jingru and Zhang Yongda. The sources I found do not confirm which actor plays which role beyond the setup, so I will not guess.

What the premise asks of its lead is clear: a weary, guarded presence who can switch into fighting mode when his daughter is threatened. That is a familiar action-hero type, and it relies on physical credibility more than on dialogue.

Because a film this short has little time for character work, the supporting players mainly serve the plot. Expect functional roles rather than deep studies of grief or loyalty.

Where Times of Peril Stumbles

The biggest risk with a 63-minute revenge story is thinness. Themes like loss, secrecy and fatherhood need space, and a short film may only touch them. Viewers who want emotional depth might feel the drama is sketched rather than explored.

The fictional "Country K" setting is also vague. It gives the story a convenient backdrop, but it can make the politics and the "organization" behind the villains feel abstract. Fans of more detailed crime movie reviews may want clearer motives.

Public opinion is also scattered. One listing shows 5.9/10 from 52 IMDb votes, iQIYI shows 7.2/10 from 13 ratings, and TMDB has a single 1/10 vote. Those samples are tiny, so treat them as noise rather than a verdict. I found no professional reviews to lean on.

Is Times of Peril Worth Watching?

Times of Peril is worth watching if you want a short, no-frills action-crime film and you adjust your expectations. It is not a prestige thriller, and it does not appear to aim for one. Its appeal is speed, a familiar emotional hook and a hero with something to lose.

If you like the revenge-and-rescue formula, you can see a similar spirit in Dongji Rescue and other tense stories on this site. Just do not expect a film that reinvents the genre.

For details on the film and its listings, you can check Times of Peril on iQIYI. I cannot confirm availability in every region, so check your local services.

Who Will Enjoy Times of Peril

• Fans of Chinese action films who like a fast, simple revenge plot

• Viewers who want a quick watch of about an hour

• Anyone who enjoys the "retired hero pulled back in" formula