We Girls (2025 film)

We Girls (Chinese: 向阳·花) is a 2025 Chinese crime drama film directed by Feng Xiaogang.^[2] It stars Zhao Liying, Lan Xiya, Chuai Ni, Naomi Wang, and Cheng Xiao as a group of female prisoners who rebuild their lives after reentering society. The film was theatrically released on April 4, 2025.^[3]

We Girls
Theatrical release poster
Simplified Chinese	向阳·花
Literal meaning	Sunny Flowers
Hanyu Pinyin	Xiàngyáng·huā
Directed by	Feng Xiaogang
Written by	Xia Longlong Chong An
Produced by	Zuo Yi
Starring	Zhao Liying Lan Xiya Chuai Ni Naomi Wang Cheng Xiao
Cinematography	Florian Zinke
Edited by	Fan Zhaoshuo
Music by	Wang Qianting
Production companies	Mayla Media Such A Good Film Lian Ray Pictures iQIYI Pictures (Beijing)
Release date	April 4, 2025 (2025-04-04) (China)
Running time	124 minutes
Country	China
Language	Mandarin
Box office	US$28.9 million[1]

Synopsis

In order to buy a ¥200,000 cochlear implant for her daughter, Gao Yuexiang takes a desperate risk and ends up being sentenced to prison. Through this experience, she meets Heimei, Deng Hong, Hu Ping, and Guo Aimei. Though each of them has a different personality, they all share a defiant attitude toward life, refusing to give in or accept fate. Together, they face life's challenges, support one another through adversity, and strive to live with hope and resilience.

Cast

• Zhao Liying as Gao Yuexiang
• Lan Xiya as Heimei
• Chuai Ni as Deng Hong
• Naomi Wang as Hu Ping
• Cheng Xiao as Guo Aimei

Production

On July 22, 2024, the production side released a concept poster, announcing that the film is directed by Feng Xiaogang and stars Zhao Liying in the lead role, and that filming is currently underway.^[4] We Girls was shot on location across various parts of Hunan, including Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Liuyang.^[5]

Release

On March 3, 2025, a release date poster was unveiled, announcing that the film will be released on April 4.^[6]

Reception

Box office

The film's total box office exceeded ¥100 million on April 9, 2025, six days after its release, making it the first domestic film to reach the milestone since the Chinese New Year period.^[7] As of August 18, 2025, the film had earned a cumulative global box office total of ¥230 million.^[2]

Critical response

We Girls received positive reviews for its depiction of female ex-prisoners struggling with stigma and survival in modern China. Critics highlighted the chemistry between Zhao Liying and Lan Xiya, as well as the film's blend of gritty realism and emotional storytelling, despite some implausible plot points.^[8]