Sinh Van Vat, the failed blockbuster of the year, or is Duong Mich taking the blame for the entire crew?

Sinh Van Vat quickly became a strong candidate for the title of worst movie of the year. Is Duong Mich really the cause or is there another mystery that makes the audience argue?

Recently, the TV series Sinh Van Vat starring Duong Mich and Au Hao became the center of discussion right after it aired. Initially, the work received curiosity from the audience thanks to its famous cast and unique historical setting, but after only a few episodes, many mixed opinions flooded the forums, causing the film to be considered one of the "most regrettable TV failures of 2025".

Before filming, Sinh Van Vat was considered a potential project thanks to a series of favorable factors. The film was produced by CCTV and iQIYI, adapted from the award-winning novel by writer Trieu Duc Phat - famous for his trilogy of works reflecting rural life in China from the 1920s to the mid-20th century. Director Lau Ka-shing, who had success with the films Chinh Duong Mon Ha Tieu Nu Nhan and Da No Hoa, took on the role of director. The main cast includes Duong Mich, Au Hao, Nhiep Vien, Tan Hai Lo and Nghe Dai Hong, promising to bring strong appeal.

Every element seems to be ready for a "blockbuster television" work, from the famous original, experienced production team to the famous star cast, making the audience have very high expectations.

However, when the film was broadcast, many viewers quickly realized serious problems with the script and the film's pacing. The film adhered closely to the original, recreating rural life in Shandong with changes in land, customs and the fate of four generations of farmers. Although it still reflected the negative aspects of feudal society such as male chauvinism and bad customs, the storytelling became heavy, lengthy and uncreative, making the viewing experience tiring.

A major drawback is the repetition of negative details, typically the story of the female character Tu Tu being gossiped about "losing her virginity", appearing many times throughout the episodes, making the audience feel frustrated instead of provoking contemplation. The rescue scenes or climaxes are also often unreasonable, for example, the character easily escaping from the bandit's lair or the awkward situations of mistaken identity for the bride, reducing the persuasiveness of the film's plot.

In terms of visuals, director Lau Ka-shing is still recognized for his attention to authenticity in the setting, from architecture, village roads to costumes. However, the overly safe staging creates an old-fashioned feeling, similar to a film from the 1980s-1990s, lacking the aesthetic appeal to attract modern audiences.

One of the most controversial factors is the casting of Duong Mich – nearly 40 years old – as an unmarried country girl. The age difference and temperament between the actress and the character makes it difficult for viewers to integrate, and creates a feeling of mismatch. However, many opinions point out that this is the result of commercial and advertising pressure in the current television industry: producers prioritize actors with high reputation and coverage to ensure viewership and revenue, instead of choosing a face suitable for the character.

The filming schedule also contributed to the loss of logic: the winter scene but most of Duong Mich's scenes were filmed in May, creating a clear weather contrast, reflecting how the star controls the production schedule more than the art.

Despite having a quality original foundation, an experienced crew, and a realistic setting, Sinh Van Vat still becomes a typical example of putting commerce above creativity. The film lacks visual appeal, lacks emotion, slow pacing, and many incompatible casting choices leave viewers disappointed.

Instead of exploiting love, human destiny or historical changes to create depth, the work makes the audience feel heavy and tired. As many comments said: "It's not Duong Mich who dragged the film down, but the entire production team chose the wrong direction from the beginning". With lessons from the film, perhaps producers need to carefully consider between commercial factors and artistic values to avoid creating similar television "flops" in the future.

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