Traces of Justice Review

For many, crime scene forensics became primetime entertainment when CSI: Crime Scene Investigation exploded onto the scene. “Who Are You” by The Who became one of the catchiest theme songs on television, and everyone became fascinated with the idea of identifying a killer through DNA evidence. Police procedurals were changed forever. So, heading into Traces of Justice, the latest film from Chen Sicheng, one of China’s most fascinating directors, it was hard not to make comparisons to one of the most important police shows of all time. Yet the film, which is based on a series of real-life crimes and scientific breakthroughs, shines as the strongest work Sicheng has ever made.

Told across multiple decades, Traces of Justice explores three major crimes, with a fourth serving as a bookend to the narrative. The film follows officer Cui Xun (Zhang Yi), a forensic technician who examines crime scenes alongside his colleagues Huang Rende (Ma Li) and the reluctant officer Wang Weiguo (Chen Minghao). Through these cases, Cui pioneers forensic investigative techniques that would go down in history as significant advancements, setting new precedents for how crimes would be solved in a rapidly changing era.

Technology is advancing at a rate that is almost incomprehensible. However, the only reason we can continue to progress is because of the foundations laid by the brilliant minds of the past, and this film highlights that perfectly. The first case, involving the murder of a child, advanced the use of bite-mark identification, helping to establish a new form of conclusive evidence. However, setting a precedent requires achieving what once seemed impossible with the technology available at the time. Utilising potatoes to capture bite marks might not sound like particularly riveting or cinematic material.

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However, Sicheng’s direction is nothing short of energetic, propelling the film forward at a relentless, rhythmic pace. At times, it feels as though he is a master conductor of cinema, keeping the audience completely glued to the screen. The way the camera moves through each scene enhances the film’s vibrant energy. Cao Yu (The Eight Hundred) serves as cinematographer and has crafted imagery that is nothing short of vivid and striking. While the camera movement as stated contributes to the momentum, it is the composition of each shot that truly keeps viewers engaged. Laboratories become vortexes of scientific wonder bursting across the screen, and Yu captures that sense of discovery perfectly.

The film’s editing further enhances that sense of momentum, flowing from scene to scene in an almost operatic fashion. Not since Once Upon a Time in the Middle East or Hope has a film running well over two hours passed by so effortlessly. None of this would matter if the performances were lacklustre, but every actor delivers outstanding work. Yi is excellent as the scientifically driven Cui, perfectly portraying a brilliant mind whose sacrifices parts of his myself to advance his field for the benefit of the country. While Li redeems herself after starring in the mind-numbing Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe, delivering a wonderful performance as Huang.

It’s not all great, though. One of the crimes depicted is based on the 1998 Wuhan bus bombing, the same incident that inspired Herman Yau’s We Are Nothing at All. While little is known about the intentions or background of the couple responsible for the bombing, meaning any interpretation can be viewed as a form of creative liberty. Yet their over-the-top villainous delivery feels particularly distracting, especially given that a major theme of both this case and the film is the importance of reaching conclusions through evidence rather than gut instinct. As a result, their portrayal seems to contradict the film’s central message as it theorises their motivations and mindset.

While Sicheng’s Being Towards Death, which was also released this year, may be the emotionally stronger film, Traces of Justice represents some of the director’s strongest filmmaking on a technical level. It is a truly enthralling crime drama whose propulsive energy keeps you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll.

★★★★

In UK Cinemas Now / Zhang Yi, Ma Li, Chen Minghao, Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng, Chen Feiyu / Dir: Chen Sicheng / Trinity CineAsia / 15

About the Author

Robert Ewing

Author

Rob is a freelance film critic and writer who specialises in Anime and Asian cinema. I have adored film since a young age, having watched films that were far too old for me, such as RoboCop, Die Hard, and Hot Tub Time Machine, to discovering the heights of foreign cinema through films like Headhunters and Battle Royale. Growing up with such a diverse catalogue of films that I cherished sparked my desire to discuss them. This passion eventually led me to become a reviewer. Dissecting films, speaking to filmmakers I admire, and showcasing the best of Asian and anime cinema is how I live my best and truest life.

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