The New King of Comedy (2019)

Plot Summary: Rumeng is a struggling actress who dreams of stardom while working as an extra and taking on humiliating jobs to make ends meet. Despite constant rejection and harsh treatment from the industry, she refuses to give up on her dream of becoming a leading actress.

Directors: Stephen Chow, Herman Yau
Screenplay: Stephen Chow, Ivy Kong, Kelvin Lee, Zhao Bojun
Based on: King of Comedy by Stephen Chow and Lee Lik-chi
Producers: Stephen Chow, Ivy Kong
Cinematography: Mazloum Saba
Music: Raymond Wong, Wendy Zheng

Starring:
E Jingwen as Ru Meng
Wang Baoqiang as Ma Ke
Zhang Qi as Ru Meng's Father
Zhang Quandan as Charlie
Jing Ruyang as Xiao Mi
Yuan Xingzhe as Ru Meng's Mother

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

More Than Just Reheated Rice

Alright, hello, hello! I'm back. After a three-week break where my brain basically melted watching old episodes of The King of Queens, I'm diving back into my Stephen Chow marathon. This time, it's The New King of Comedy from 2019, supposedly a remake of his 1999 classic, but I see it more as a spiritual successor. It's also the last thing he's directed, so I'm really hoping his new project, Nv Zu, drops soon. A word of warning: do NOT watch this without seeing the original King of Comedy. You'll miss out on the cameos, the inside jokes, and the whole point of what Chow is doing here. The more I think about it, the more this might be my favourite Chow movie so far. It feels the most balanced and mature. Chow himself said he wanted to update the original's philosophy. The 1999 film had that bittersweet ending where the hero finds love but fails professionally. A story about the nobility of struggle. Twenty years later, Chow's view has changed. He believes that if you don't give up, you will succeed, and this movie is built on that optimism, giving its protagonist the triumphant ending the original never had.

Check out one of the first scenes that made me laugh out loud, a moment of extreme toe-stomping featuring a veteran of Chow's acting troupe, Tin Kai-man.

The Dignity of the Dreamer

Chow's decision to recast the protagonist as a woman, Rumeng (played by the fantastic E Jingwen), was a brilliant move. He called her a "female Yin Tianchou," and this gender swap lets him explore the same themes of perseverance through a fresh lens, hitting on the unique challenges women face in the cutthroat film industry. There's this one sequence that just floored me. It's set to Danny Chan's song "疾风" (Strong Wind), and it mixes footage of Rumeng doing these graceful, innocent tai chi moves with scenes of her working horrifically demanding extra jobs. I was genuinely touched. It's a beautiful, inspiring moment that shows her dignity as she accepts every humiliating critique and just keeps working her a** off. Chow himself said he used to listen to that same song to motivate himself during his struggling actor days, and you can feel that personal connection. This character is all heart. (You can listen to this incredible song at the bottom of this post!)

Below is another highlight, a hilarious scene with a clandestine plastic surgeon that had me roaring.

When Art and Life Collide

One of the cleverest things Chow does here is blur the line between fiction and real life with his casting. E Jingwen, a professionally trained actress, spent years as an uncredited extra before finding some success. Her casting is literally her character's dream coming true. Then you have Wang Baoqiang, a "grassroots" legend who went from extreme poverty to becoming one of China's biggest stars, playing a washed-up actor. The film becomes a living, breathing testament to its own message. I loved almost all the characters, especially the father (Zhang Qi) with his conflicting personality. The only one who grated on me was Mr. Marco (Wang Baoqiang), whose treatment of Rumeng while she was playing a statue, because it was cheaper than renting a real one (😂) was cruel and genuinely hard to watch. Of course, his obnoxious personality leads to some hilarious moments, but I was definitely waiting for him to get his comeuppance.

My favorite moment with Rumeng's father is in the clip below, where he uses the most batsh** insane and surprisingly effective negotiation tactic to get his daughter a second meal.

Tears in Laughter, Laughter in Tears

In the end, this movie got me. My respect for Stephen Chow's work went through the roof with this one. I was even shedding a little tear with the overprotective father in that final cinema scene. Interestingly, this film split audiences right down the middle. Critics accused Chow of "chǎo lěng fàn" (reheating cold rice), calling it a lazy, nostalgic cash-grab and dismissing its message as simple "jītāng" (chicken soup for the soul). But I'm firmly with the supporters who defended its emotional sincerity. This isn't a rehash; it's a heartfelt return to character-driven storytelling, filled with "tears in laughter, and laughter in tears." The happy ending pissed some people off so much they invented a "Dying Dream" theory to cope (check what's that all about below my rating). For me, the film's earnest message is its greatest strength. It's a genuine tribute to anyone who struggles for a dream, and I truly believe if you endure like that, you'll get there. If not, what's the point in living anyway?

You can watch the moment we finally get our sweet revenge on the insufferable Mr. Marco in the clip below.

📖 The "Dying Dream" Theory: An Audience's Rejection of Hope

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the film's reception is the emergence of a popular and elaborate fan theory, particularly on Chinese forums like Douban. This theory posits that the film's entire triumphant third act is a fantasy. Proponents argue that the protagonist, Ru Meng, actually freezes to death or gives up in despair during the torrential rainstorm, the film's narrative turning point. Everything that follows: Ma Ke's visit, the successful audition, and her eventual stardom is interpreted as a dying dream, a final, imagined fulfillment of a life of failure.

This theory is more than just a creative interpretation; it represents a form of active audience resistance to the film's optimistic conclusion. It reveals a deep-seated attachment to the bittersweet realism of the 1999 original. For these viewers, the idea that relentless struggle could lead to a perfect, fairytale ending felt disingenuous or unearned. By reinterpreting the ending as a tragedy, they were, in essence, attempting to "correct" the film's narrative, forcing it back into alignment with the darker, more complex worldview of its predecessor.

This phenomenon showcases the profound legacy of the original King of Comedy and highlights the challenge an artist faces when attempting to evolve a beloved narrative in the public consciousness. The audience, in this case, became a co-author, insisting that the dream of the "King of Comedy" must remain, to some degree, tragically out of reach.

🎵 Danny Chan - Strong Wind (疾风)

The inspirational song that accompanies Rumeng's journey and motivated Stephen Chow himself during his struggling days as an actor. This timeless anthem of perseverance perfectly captures the spirit of both the original and this film.

Also known as "Blast" - a powerful ballad by the legendary Danny Chan

🎬 You Might Also Enjoy:

➤ King of Comedy (1999) The original classic that inspired this spiritual successor - essential viewing before watching the 2019 version

➤ Kung Fu Hustle (2004) Stephen Chow's action-comedy masterpiece that showcases his unique blend of humor and heart

➤ The Mermaid (2016) Another Stephen Chow directorial effort that combines environmental themes with his signature comedy style