The Great Wall (2016)

The Great Wall (2016) is a visually stunning historical fantasy action film directed by Zhang Yimou. Set during the Northern Song Dynasty in China, the film tells the story of an ancient and mythological struggle between humanity and an army of monstrous creatures. A unique blend of Chinese history, epic fantasy, and Hollywood-style action, The Great Wall stands out as a cross-cultural collaboration, with a star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe, and Pedro Pascal.
Set in 15th-century China, The Great Wall centers on William Garin (Matt Damon), a European mercenary who, along with his companion Tovar (Pedro Pascal), travels to China in search of gunpowder, which is believed to be a valuable commodity for their military campaigns in the West. After a skirmish with bandits, the two are captured by a mysterious army guarding the Great Wall of China.
They soon discover that the wall is not just a physical defense but a formidable fortress designed to protect China from an ancient, monstrous threat. Every 60 years, a horde of terrifying creatures known as the Taotie, resembling giant, reptilian beasts, emerges from the wilderness, intent on invading China and wiping out humanity. The film’s central conflict revolves around the efforts of the Nameless Order, an elite faction of soldiers, including Commander Lin Mei (Jing Tian), who defend the wall and protect humanity from these relentless creatures.
As Garin and Tovar are caught in the middle of this battle, Garin is reluctantly drawn into the fight, using his skills to help the soldiers defend the wall against the Taotie. Garin and the Chinese military force must work together to hold off the seemingly endless waves of monstrous creatures in an epic showdown that tests their courage, loyalty, and survival instincts.