Red Corner, released in theaters on October 31, 1997, throws Richard Gere’s Jack Moore, a successful American corporate lawyer, into a nightmarish legal ordeal while on a satellite communications deal trip in Beijing.
After a mysterious one-night encounter with a young Chinese woman turns fatal, Moore wakes up to find himself accused of her murder, a high-stakes case complicated by the victim’s influential family and China’s opaque justice system.
Desperate to prove his innocence, Moore faces a corrupt, politically charged process where his only legal support comes from a local defense attorney, Shen Yuelin (Bai Ling), whose initial skepticism about his claim gradually turns to an alliance forged under ruthless pressure.
As Moore navigates harsh prison conditions, brutal interrogations, and procedural obfuscation, the film sheds light on systemic issues within China’s judiciary and political machinery.
The story unfolds with courtroom suspense and urgent revelations that expose far-reaching conspiracies implicating powerful figures vying for business contracts and control.
Ling’s portrayal of Shen offers a compelling emotional center amid the tension, her character evolving from government instrument to sympathetic ally.
Supporting performances by Bradley Whitford, Peter Donat, and James Hong fill out a cast embodying clashing cultural and political forces.
Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes, Up Close & Personal, 88 Minutes, Righteous Kill) directed the film.
Richard Gere in Red Corner (Photo/MGM-UA)
Reception for Red Corner
Red Corner grossed $7.4 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $22.5 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Red Corner offers a gritty thriller narrative infused with geopolitical commentary and its portrayal of Murphy’s law in a foreign land challenges viewers to consider the fragility of rights and protections outside their own borders.
Though its story can feel contrived and its political tone heavy-handed, Red Corner retains legacy value as a cinematic snapshot of 1990s anxieties about global commerce, justice, and cultural clash.
Gere’s performance anchors the moral struggle, while the film’s courtroom drama elements provide suspenseful engagement.
It remains relevant for its timely exploration of law, power, and the cost of innocence caught within intricate international webs.
