The Substitute

About This Movie

So, 'The Substitute' from 2017, right? It’s an interesting take on identity and love, set against the backdrop of Beijing's judo scene. Lu is this tough, judo-captain type, raised to fill the shoes of her deceased brother, and you really feel the weight of that expectation on her. Her secret crush on Nicole, this vibrant internet star from Taiwan, adds layers of tension and yearning. The film has this quiet, almost reflective pacing that lets the emotional moments breathe. The performances—especially Lu's—have a rawness that feels genuine, though the direction is somewhat understated, leaving a lot to the actors. It’s distinctive for how it tackles LGBTQ themes subtly within a sports narrative.

2017 releaseLGBTQ themesSet in Beijing