BOTTOM LINE
Chilling, Calculated Revenge Thriller
PLATFORM
Netflix
RUNTIME
9 hours 41 minutes | 13 Episodes
What Is the Show About?
The Vendetta of An is a 2025 historical revenge thriller starring Cheng Yi. The story follows Xie Huai’an, the son of the creator of the elite Huben Army, who survives a brutal family massacre. After ten years in hiding, he returns to the capital, Chang’an, under the guise of a lowly registrar to exact revenge on Yan Fengshan, the man responsible for his father’s death.
Entrusted by Emperor Xiao Wuyang to eliminate corruption, Huai’an must navigate a treacherous web of palace power plays and jianghu (martial arts world) conflicts. To stop Yan Fengshan’s plot to split the nation, Huai’an assembles a team of allies, including a swordsman, a painter, and a strategist, using his superior intellect and “24 strategies” to protect the realm while skillfully executing his personal vendetta.
Performances
Cheng Yi leads the cast as Xie Huai’an. Yi’s portrayal of a cold, patient, yet cunning schemer appears emotionally restrained. As per the show’s storyline, the loss of his father and a tragic childhood shaped him this way, so the actor’s restrained approach to the character works. He does stand out in highly intense scenes, where he conveys simmering rage through a subdued gaze.
However, there are times when Yi’s ruthless and gloomy persona overshadows the show’s storyline. At times, he comes across as too cold and detached, which may make it difficult for viewers to establish an emotional connection with him in the early episodes. Viewers who enjoy watching actors with a more expressive range may find Yi’s performance a bit hard to digest.
Because Cheng Yi is known for his suffering and rebirth character archetypes (often involving heavy emotional outbursts or blood-spitting scenes), this new, tactical, and non-linear approach may come as a shock to some.
Analysis
The Vendetta of An (directed by Lin Feng) uses a more non-linear approach to storytelling. Initially, the plot appears like a straightforward revenge story, but as the series progresses, political themes, action, and the efforts to restore the Emperor’s power begin to intertwine with Huai’an’s personal vendetta, adding several intriguing layers of complexity.
Alongside the main storyline revolving around Huai’an’s revenge, we also get perfectly placed and well-paced flashbacks of the Huben Army massacre, the brutal death of Huai’an’s father, Huai’an’s childhood days, and more.
Cheng Yi’s depiction of personal, raw grief through restrained emotions works like a charm in certain scenes. However, his love story angle with the character played by Xu Lu feels a bit slow and stretched.
Some of the early episodes may feel slow and slightly overstuffed with subplots, as they lean heavily towards atmospheric world-building. There are also a few forced comedic elements that don’t land very well.
The third and fourth episodes are where the pace picks up, and we witness several characters meeting their demise. As the show progresses, it strengthens its grip on both narrative and pacing. The runtime of each episode is also a plus, with none exceeding an hour.
The twists in the show are executed effectively, forcing viewers to engage deeply with the narrative. The story also maintains high stakes by being genuinely ruthless. With multiple significant characters dying within the first few episodes, the series establishes early on that no one is safe, creating a palpable sense of dread.
One of its greatest strengths is the meticulous character development across multiple storylines. The creators provide such thorough backstories for each character that you never find yourself questioning their motivations or pasts. This clarity and depth elevate the entire production into a truly compelling watch.
That said, some viewers may find the show’s frequent attempts to remind them how smart and cunning the protagonist is slightly annoying. Additionally, there are moments when melodrama grips the show too tightly, but these are often balanced out by cool, stylishly shot action sequences that stabilise the overall tone.
Despite being a big-budget production, the series occasionally slips into a “soap opera” sensibility, most evident in a few dramatic snap-zoom shots. However, the rest of the cast, the overarching storyline, and the consistently high stakes are more than enough to keep viewers hooked.
Overall, The Vendetta of An is a sophisticated, non-linear historical noir that blends personal revenge with high-stakes politics. While Cheng Yi’s restrained, chilling performance may be polarising, the veteran supporting cast and meticulous character backstories add immense depth. Despite occasional “soap opera” flourishes and a slower early pace, the series excels through its strategic plotting, expertly placed twists, gritty cinematography, and ruthless narrative stakes.
Performances by Others Actors
Liu Yijun plus the Emperor Xiao Wuyang. His portrayal of the Emperor looks chilling, and it makes us question his true loyalty to the protagonist at every turn. Wang Jinsong also amazes with his performance that is less about dialogue and more about the weight of his presence. He serves as a perfect foil to Xie Huai’an’s cunningness with experience and ruthlessness.
Tong Mengshi, as Ye Zheng, gives a more physically demanding performance, showcasing excellent fight choreography. Also, his chemistry with the cast provides a much-needed sense of brotherhood. Xu Lu as Bai Guan, playing the talented painter, provides a softer but no less intelligent contrast to the male leads. Zhou Qi, as Xiao Wenjing, playing the deposed emperor, plays a man who is consumed by fear and desperation quite well. The rest of the cast does a fine job.
Music and Other Departments?
The musical score is soft and features heavy use of traditional Chinese string instruments, which soothes the series’ overall intense and high-stakes plot. One of the strongest technical choices is the use of absolute silence during key strategy reveals. This forces the audience to focus on the dialogue and the subtle sound design.
The series excels in terms of cinematography. We get many high-contrast lighting shots, which are well balanced with muted vibrancy. This creates a gritty, historical noir atmosphere. However, the technical immersion is occasionally broken by a shift into soft-focus beauty filters during close-ups. This transition makes certain scenes feel more like a studio-bound soap opera than a cinematic epic, detracting from the overall grounded aesthetic.
The costumes and set designs are well done. They perfectly capture the spirit of old China and add a layer of realism to the overall vibe and performances.
Highlights?
Intricate storytelling and efficient pacing
Strong character development
High-stakes and tension
Exceptional supporting cast
Cinematography, action, and production design
Perfectly executed twists
Drawbacks?
Divisive lead performance
Inconsistent visual tone
Melodramatic moments
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, though it needs some patience in the beginning. It benefits from an intellectual, gritty, and high-stakes atmosphere. The veteran cast provides a chilling, realistic depth that anchors the non-linear plot. However, some “soap opera” zooms and slow early pacing can be slightly distracting.
Will You Recommend It?
I recommend it specifically to fans of complex political thrillers who appreciate meticulous character development and smart payoffs. Also, to those who just love watching C-dramas.
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The Vendetta of An Review by M9
