Muyi Review (2026 Toronto Film Festival)
While not every person will have a mother, as families become more diverse, the qualities associated with a mother, father, or parental figure are universal. The people who guide us often want a better life for us than the one they had themselves. Sadly, many children are abandoned, making parental figures not inherently biological, but rather individuals willing to take on that responsibility. Muyi, directed by Julien Chheng, explores the effects of patriarchy through a mythical journey that our titular character, Mu Yi, goes on. The result is a film that is a visually striking and meaningful piece of art.
Following Mu Yi (Lucie Zhang), a teenage girl who lives in a Chinese mountaintop village that forbids men from entering. Living with her grandmother, who strictly adheres to the village’s rules and traditions. Mu Yi longs to break free from its shackles and experience life beyond the village. Her life could be about to change as a travelling theatre troupe arrives, bringing with it the tale of the Handsome General. Their arrival sparks a calamity within the village, leading to long-buried secrets being revealed.
From there, the journey takes on a fantastical path as the mythical spirits that Mu Yi once believed to be simple fables are revealed to be more than old wise tales. Muyi explores the role of mothers within a Chinese patriarchal society, which often placed greater value on male children. The film shows how women are marginalised by this system found a place where they could be loved and accepted. Finding community in a society that never favoured them.
The story truly comes into its own once it embraces its fantastical elements. Although set in the 1990s, the film illustrates how these issues have been deeply embedded within Chinese society for years, if not centuries. It ultimately becomes a story about finding one’s worth and sense of belonging. Mu Yi longs to discover what lies beyond the village, and over the course of the film, we watch her forge her own identity, leading to an ending that delivers a genuine emotional gut punch.
What stands out most about the film is how incredible the animation is. One particularly impressive sequence is a long take set on a battlefield, which easily ranks among the film’s most thrilling and visually striking moments. The bright yellow glow radiated by the magical objects is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The film’s overall colour palette is equally impressive and, when combined with its dynamic, fluid animation, creates a work that is bold and elegant in its beauty.
What can be distracting is that this is a French production through and through. As a result, all the voice acting is in French. This is not a flaw that hampers the film in any way, but it can take some time to adjust to. That said, the cast are excellent, with Zhang standing out as the titular Mu Yi. The rest of the ensemble is equally impressive, helping the emotional core of the narrative fully flourish.
Muyi is simply a great film. It is a beautiful, well-told, and meaningful story that is dedicated to mothers. It also speaks to the experiences of parents more broadly. Using the framework of Chinese patriarchal society, it tells a powerful story about identity, belonging, and love that will leave audiences deeply moved by the time the credits roll.
★★★★
Had it’s North American Premiere at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival / Lucie Zhang, Guillaume Bouchède, Colette Venhard, Jean-Stan Du Pac, Astor Chheng / Dir: Julien Chheng
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