With his portrayal of Abi in Dongji Rescue, Zhu Yilong delivers yet another masterclass in character acting - a raw, nuanced study of a fisherman's metamorphosis that now stands proudly among his most iconic roles: the chillingly convincing villain He Fei in Lost in the Stars, the deeply moving Sange in Lighting Up the Stars, and the psychologically complex Ma Zhe in Only the River Flows. In this career-defining performance, Zhu charts Abi's journey from reluctant protector to battle-hardened warrior with such visceral authenticity that it transcends language barriers.
Zhu's complete physical immersion impresses audiences from the first frame. To embody Abi's rugged fisherman physique, he achieved an astonishing 9.5% body fat through grueling preparation. But his commitment extends far beyond aesthetics - in breathtaking underwater sequences (performed without stunt doubles), Zhu trained to hold his breath for 4.5 minutes and free-dive 15 meters, creating action scenes of unparalleled realism where every gasp for air feels viscerally real.
Zhu's genius shines through his mastery of micro-expressions and body language. Through Zhu's layered performance, Abi becomes more than a wartime protagonist - he embodies the dualities of human nature itself. We see the primal survival instinct of a cornered animal, the burning rage of vengeance, yet always the underlying compassion of China's fishing communities. Zhu refuses to play him as a nationalist symbol or action hero, but as a profoundly relatable man whose courage springs not from ideology, but from love for his loved ones.
To fully appreciate both Zhu's physical performance and the film's brilliant cinematography, Dongji Rescue demands to be seen in IMAX.
