Beat Him Up (2017): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2017, Beat Him Up is a drama film directed by Ken Yang.

What it’s about. Beat Him Up focuses on issues of bullying and mental health, exploring the profound ways in which guilt and repressed emotions can change and ruin lives. Set in a Taiwanese high school, the film follows the weak-willed Zhang Shi-hao, who becomes jealous when a new transfer student called Lin Yu-en steals his girlfriend and eventually gets her pregnant. Although Zhang is too meek to take revenge, his best friend A-Yang sets up a brutal attack on Lin with a group of other boys. The timid Zhang joins in, releasing his pent up anger and frustration, feeling a sense of satisfaction afterwards, which turns to shock and guilt when Lin collapses and dies during a PE lesson the next day. Blaming himself, the tormented Zhang decides to confess, though fate has something else in store for him. Through Zhang's personal journey, the film examines the process of redemption, asking the question whether guilt can be a positive force, pushing us to rise above our shortcomings.

Who’s in it. Beat Him Up stars Huang Li-feng as Zhang Shi-hao and Chu Meng-hsuan as A-Yang.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Beat Him Up page.

If you liked it. Fans of Beat Him Up tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.