The Forbidden City (2025) Review: Kung Fu Meets Rome's Underworld

This The Forbidden City review looks at an Italian action-romance that drops martial arts into the streets of Rome. Director Gabriele Mainetti has built a reputation for genre films with a local flavour, and here he aims at something bigger and more romantic. The result is lively, uneven and easy to like.

The Forbidden City Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot starts with two people from different worlds. Marcello is the son of a restaurant owner buried in debt. Mei is a young woman from abroad who has come to Rome to find her sister.

Their paths cross, and Marcello agrees to help her search. That decision drags both of them toward the most dangerous figures in the Roman criminal underworld. The tagline, "Vengeance is her destiny," tells you where Mei's drive comes from, and the film keeps that engine running through its long runtime.

It is a simple setup, and it works because it gives the film two clear goals: a rescue and a growing bond. If you like your action movie reviews with a pulse of feeling, the premise is promising.

What Works in The Forbidden City

The biggest appeal is the clash of styles. Martial arts choreography in Rome's restaurants, alleys and hideouts feels fresh, and the film clearly enjoys the contrast. Fights are staged as character moments rather than empty noise.

• Fight scenes with personality: the action has weight and a sense of place.

• A confident tone: Mainetti mixes violence, humour and tenderness without losing his footing for long.

• A distinctive setting: this is not the postcard Rome, and the film is better for it.

The romance also gives the action a reason to matter. When the two leads share quiet moments between brawls, the story breathes. That balance is what lifts this above a standard revenge thriller.

The Forbidden City Cast and Performances

The cast is led by Liu Yaxi as Mei and Enrico Borello as Marcello. Liu carries the physical demands of the role and gives Mei a guarded, determined presence. Borello brings an everyman warmth that makes Marcello's drift into danger believable.

Their chemistry is the heart of the film. It builds through glances and shared trouble rather than big speeches, which suits the story.

The supporting players add colour. Marco Giallini plays Annibale, Sabrina Ferilli appears as Lorena, and Luca Zingaretti is Alfredo. Chunyu Shanshan plays Wang. These familiar Italian faces help ground the criminal world, though some characters would benefit from more screen time.

Where The Forbidden City Stumbles

At 138 minutes, the film is long for what it is. The middle stretch sags as the plot repeats its rhythm of clue, confrontation and chase. A tighter edit would sharpen the momentum.

The tonal shifts can also feel abrupt. A comic beat may be followed quickly by something brutal, and the transitions do not always land. Some villains are drawn in broad strokes, which limits the tension.

The romance, while charming, follows familiar paths. Viewers wanting a deeper romance story may find the emotional arc a little predictable, even if it is well played.

Is The Forbidden City Worth Watching?

Yes, The Forbidden City is worth watching if you enjoy genre films with energy and heart. It is not flawless, but its action, setting and lead pairing make it a fun ride. Audience scores sit around 6.9 out of 10 on TMDB, which fits my sense of a solid, crowd-pleasing film rather than a classic.

The film arrived on 8 March 2025 as an Italian-language production, and it rewards viewers open to subtitles. If you want something different from Hollywood action, this is a pleasing alternative. For more in the same vein, see our Sisu: Road to Revenge review, another action film with a strong sense of place.

Who Will Enjoy The Forbidden City

• Fans of martial arts action who like seeing it in an unexpected setting.

• Viewers who want a romance woven into a revenge story.

• Anyone curious about Gabriele Mainetti's genre-bending style, which you can compare with our wider crime movie reviews.