Chinese thriller from ‘Detective Chinatown’ creator to hit theaters and digital platforms in North America
Toronto-based theatrical distributor Niu Vision Media and Los Angeles-based digital distributor Echelon Studios today announced the North American release of the highly anticipated Chinese thriller ‘Malice.’ Distributed by Niu Vision Media, the film is set for a July 5 theatrical launch in over 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada, to coincide with its domestic debut in China, with a digital rollout planned for later this year.
Directed by Mukuan Lai and Wenyi Yao, Malice opens with two individuals having seemingly fallen from a hospital roof. What initially appears to be a tragic accident quickly snowballs into a media and internet firestorm. As journalists rush to assign blame and online speculation runs wild, the search for truth is drowned out by a thirst for scandal. Equal parts thriller and social commentary, the film examines the volatile intersection of media frenzy, misinformation, and public outrage.
Written and produced by Sicheng Chen, the highest-grossing filmmaker in Chinese cinema history with over $2.1 billion at the box office, Malice has already generated strong pre-sales and social momentum in China. Analysts are calling it a frontrunner to become the region’s first major summer blockbuster of 2025.
“This is exactly the kind of internationally resonant film that deserves a strong, thoughtful release strategy beyond its theatrical run,” said Sandro Gohoho, President of Licensing and Operations at Echelon Studios. “We’re excited to work closely with Niu Vision to bring Malice to digital audiences in North America, where demand for elevated global thrillers is higher than ever.”
“Sicheng Chen has an unmatched eye for mass-market storytelling, and Malice is no exception—it’s gripping, unsettling, and devastatingly current,” added Niu Vision’s CEO, Fukun Wang. “Echelon’s proven expertise in digital distribution makes them the perfect partner to extend this story’s impact beyond borders.”
This marks one of the first high-profile collaborations between Echelon Studios and Niu Vision, and adds to Echelon’s growing slate of international titles.
Malice opens in theaters nationwide from July 5, 2025.
