Director bets on latest thriller to raise awareness

In the movie, the victim, portrayed by actor Wang, finds himself 8 million yuan in debt, after mortgaging his family home and losing it all in an online gambling scam.

The movie also features some scenes depicting brutal acts of violence carried out by the gangsters, as they beat and torture their victims.

Despite the horrific nature of some of the acts portrayed, according to Shen, the director and his fellow creators have explored real-life cases where the methods employed by criminals were even more savage.

Following the conclusion of the movie, viewers will witness interviews with actual victims, with their faces intentionally blurred to protect their identities. Among them is an individual who had four fingers on his left hand severed, as his family was unable to afford the exorbitant ransom demanded, says Shen.

"The process of Chinese police rescuing the victims and hunting the criminals overseas is also incredibly challenging. They sometimes face complex local issues that hinder their efforts, and they also encounter situations where the internet connection is poor or technological means are unavailable," he adds.