Shu Qi's forgotten film 'Good Autumn, Mommy' unexpectedly goes viral

The film 'Good Autumn, Mommy,' featuring actress Shu Qi, has resurfaced online and gained significant traction, according to 360 Entertainment. The movie, which had a disastrous theatrical run, is now finding a new audience on digital platforms.

Originally intended for a theatrical release in October 2025, 'Good Autumn, Mommy' was withdrawn after only three hours. Data from the ticketing platform Maoyan indicated dismal pre-sale figures, totaling only 158,000 yuan. With a mere 1.2% of screen share on its opening day, the film struggled to compete, leading producers to indefinitely postpone its release.

The film initially appears to condemn the "preference for sons over daughters" ideology. However, it delves deeper, offering a reflection and satire of patriarchal systems prevalent in many rural areas of southern China. The narrative follows Shu Qi's character and another woman who give birth simultaneously. When a severe storm causes their homes to collapse and a baby girl goes missing, villagers urge the mother to simply have another child. Undeterred, she embarks on a relentless search, ultimately digging up a pond considered a clan totem.

Audiences have noted that a potentially powerful scene, where the mother unearths numerous child skeletons from the pond in the original cut, was reportedly removed. This omission, some viewers argue, dilutes the film's impact and its message about the tragic fate of infant girls.

'Good Autumn, Mommy' posits that the existence of patriarchal systems fosters an environment where girls are devalued and their lives are disregarded. The climax depicts Shu Qi's character defying village opposition to excavate the pond, a confrontation that highlights the deep-seated societal issues the film addresses.