Only the River Flows

Name: Only the River Flows
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Crime
Released: 2023-10-21
Duration: 1 h 42 min
Rating: 6.4
Cast: Zhu Yilong, Chloe Maayan, Hou Tianlai, Tong Linkai, Kang Chunlei

2023·Movie·15·102 min·★ 6.4(110)

Thriller Drama Crime

Dedicated police detective Ma Zhe is tasked with solving a series of brutal murders in a rural Chinese town. As pressure mounts from his superiors, a hasty arrest is made, but while his colleagues celebrate, several clues push Ma Zhe deeper into a desperate investigation of his own.

▶ Watch trailer

Where to watch Only the River Flows in United States

Stream

Rent

Buy

Click a service to open Only the River Flows there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.

Where is Only the River Flows streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	Criterion Channel, OVID, Metrograph, Kanopy	Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
India	Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads	—
United Kingdom	MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video
Canada	Criterion Channel	—
Germany	MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
France	—	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Canal VOD
Spain	Filmin	—
Brazil	Looke, Looke Amazon Channel	—

About Only the River Flows

Only the River Flows is a 2023 Chinese-language thriller, drama and crime film directed by Wei Shujun. The cast is led by Zhu Yilong, Chloe Maayan, Hou Tianlai. It has a runtime of 1h 42m. Viewers rate it 6.4/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Criterion Channel, OVID, Metrograph.

Only the River Flows was produced by Hangzhou Dangdang Film, KXKH FILM, and Infinite Films and made in China and Australia. It was released on October 21, 2023, and carries a 15 certification. At the box office it grossed around $43 million worldwide.

Director: Wei Shujun
Writers: Wei Shujun, Kang Chunlei
Release date: October 21, 2023
Original language: Chinese
Age rating: 15
Status: Released
Country: China, Australia
Box office: $43 million
Production: Hangzhou Dangdang Film, KXKH FILM, Infinite Films

Only the River Flows cast & crew

Only the River Flows was directed by Wei Shujun and written by Wei Shujun and Kang Chunlei.

The cast features Zhu Yilong as Ma Zhe, Chloe Maayan as Bai Jie, Hou Tianlai as Chief of Police, Tong Linkai as Xie, Kang Chunlei as Madman, and Wang Jianyu as Xu Liang.

Behind the camera, cinematography is by Zhiyuan Chengma and it was produced by Jin Peng.

Is Only the River Flows worth watching?

Only the River Flows holds an audience score of 6.4/10 from 110 ratings, a solidly received thriller films.

At 1h 42m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy thriller, drama, and crime, Only the River Flows is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Only the River Flows

In United States, you can stream Only the River Flows on Criterion Channel, OVID, Metrograph, and Kanopy, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.