The Great Wall (2016) is a historical fantasy action film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Andy Lau. The movie is set during the Song dynasty in ancient China and centers around a fictional story that explains the construction of the Great Wall of China as a defense against supernatural creatures.

Matt Damon plays William Garin, a European mercenary in search of black powder, who along with his companion Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), becomes embroiled in a battle to protect China from the monstrous Taotie, mythical creatures that attack the wall every 60 years. Upon arriving at the Great Wall, they are captured by the Nameless Order, a secretive military group trained to defend the world from the Taotie.

As Garin and Tovar witness the strength and discipline of the Nameless Order, led by Commander Lin Mae (Jing Tian) and strategist Wang (Andy Lau), they are gradually drawn into the war against the Taotie. The movie is filled with large-scale battle scenes, intricate combat formations, and elaborate visuals that showcase Zhang Yimou’s signature style, blending Chinese martial arts with epic action sequences.

The film explores themes of trust, loyalty, and self-sacrifice as Garin learns the value of fighting for a cause greater than personal gain. Throughout the story, the characters must work together to develop strategies to repel the Taotie and prevent them from breaching the wall and reaching the heart of China.

The Great Wall received mixed reviews from critics. While many praised its visually stunning action sequences, costumes, and Zhang Yimou’s direction, the film was criticized for its thin plot and lack of character depth. Additionally, there was controversy surrounding Matt Damon’s casting, as some accused the film of “whitewashing” due to the prominent role of a Western actor in a Chinese-centric story.