Officially hitting theaters on August 22, the war drama Red Rain has already raked in over 44 billion VND (approximately $1.73 million USD) by the morning of August 23, including revenue from early screenings and pre-sold tickets.

Since its premiere for the press and public in Hanoi on August 18, Red Rain has sparked intense discussion in both media and social networks. The film quickly garnered widespread praise from critics across the country and became the most talked-about title on online film forums.

From August 5 to 11, the film ranked second in the “social trend” category for cinema, with nearly 87,000 online discussions. By the following week, August 12 to 18, it topped the chart with nearly 169,000 mentions.

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A scene from the film "Red Rain".

 

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Screenwriter Dang Thieu Ngan urges audiences to support "Red Rain". Photo: FBNV.

Red Rain generated major buzz during its early screenings on August 21 and exploded at the box office upon its official release. According to Box Office Vietnam, by the morning of August 23, the film had earned over 44 billion VND, enjoying high theater occupancy and significantly outpacing other movies released during the same period.

While most Vietnamese films - particularly war dramas - often face polarized reception upon release, Red Rain has so far been met with consistent acclaim.

Screenwriter Dang Thieu Ngan (known for Living with Mother-in-Law and The Breeze over the Blue Sky) shared after attending the opening-day screening: “A successful production is always a collective effort, not just the work of one person or department. But for a director to take on a massive project like this, filled with explosives and battle sequences - it commands deep respect. I chose a risky time slot, 10 a.m. on a weekday, and still felt immense pride. The entire audience sat silently until the very end credits before rising. I was overwhelmed thinking of the crew. They were so dedicated, so brave, so heroic to be part of this.”

Veteran actress and People's Artist My Uyen added: “The film presents a tragic yet noble tale through cinematic storytelling. Its authenticity and heroic spirit shine throughout the narrative. Director Dang Thai Huyen structured and conveyed the story with refined, nuanced dialogue and meaningful symbolism.

There are scenes that depict the characters with such tenderness, like musical notes in a peaceful symphony. The large-scale settings and extended shots are mesmerizing. Cinematographer Ly Thai Dung painted the visuals like a majestic, living canvas. The cast made me proud - their performances felt like real soldiers on screen.”

Red Rain is expected to continue its strong box office performance in the coming days, maintaining momentum throughout the upcoming National Day holiday on September 2.

My Anh