As the River Goes By

As the River Goes By (2026)



水东游

0.0 2026 99 min —

Director: Hu Zhaoxiang

Cast: Dylan Xiong, Eva Zhao, Mardy Ma, Xie Yuwang, Hongyu Jiang

Drama Fantasy
A twelve-year-old earthquake’s aftershock opens a time-space link between young Xiao Li and his childhood. Years later, at a class reunion, Xiao Li meets Song Qian, a girl who once had a crush on him. The mystery of his father’s disappearance and the buried memory of a hide-and-seek accident slowly resurface. Along the flowing river, Xiao Li edges closer to the truth in his heart and pushes back against the present’s attempt to erase it.

More About This Film

As the River Goes By, also known by its original title Shui Dong You, is a Chinese film that weaves together themes of memory, loss, and temporal distortion. The narrative centers on Xiao Li, a train driver whose life becomes entangled with his childhood following a series of aftershocks triggered by an earthquake from twelve years prior. This seismic event serves as a catalyst for a surreal connection between his present reality and his past, blurring the lines of time and perception.

  • The plot revolves around a reunion with primary school classmate Song Qian, which prompts Xiao Li to revisit old memories while using a camera left to him by his missing father.
  • Xiao Li captures what appears to be a childhood companion in his photographs, signaling the return of ghosts from his past and the gradual unraveling of the secret surrounding his father's disappearance.
  • The story explores the trauma of a tragic incident involving a game of hide-and-seek by the river, forcing the protagonist to confront these resurfacing memories while making critical decisions about his current life.

Where to Watch

Information regarding official streaming or theatrical distribution platforms for As the River Goes By (2026) is currently unavailable as the release details have not been finalized in public records.