White-Clad Counterattackers film set for November release amid netizen backlash

The film ‘White-Clad Counterattackers’ (originally titled ‘War Against the Epidemic Angels’), directed by Dante Lam and starring Andy Lau, has announced a release date of November 6 in mainland China. The film, which depicts the experiences of medical workers and citizens during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan, was completed in late 2020 but has been delayed for nearly six years.

The announcement has triggered significant backlash from Chinese netizens. Many critics have labeled the film as ‘outdated’ or ‘low-quality,’ with some expressing that the subject matter brings back painful memories of the pandemic. Social media users have criticized the production for focusing on heroic narratives while allegedly omitting the more controversial aspects of the lockdown period and the treatment of whistleblowers.