# Her Story (2024 film)

Her Story (Chinese: 好东西; pinyin: Hǎo dōng xī; lit. 'Good Things') is a 2024 Chinese comedy-drama film directed by Shao Yihui, and starring Song Jia, Zhong Chuxi, Zeng Mumei and Zhang Yu. The story revolves around Wang Tiemei, a single mother, and her child who move into a new home and become acquainted with their neighbor, Xiao Ye. The two women, each with contrasting personalities, form a unique bond. Released on 22 November 2024, the film received critical acclaim for its screenplay, direction and performances.

## Plot

Set in Shanghai, the film follows Wang Tiemei, a strong-willed single mother raising her daughter, Wang Moli, while navigating personal and emotional challenges. After moving into a new home, she meets her neighbor, Xiao Ye, whose gentle and intuitive nature contrasts with Wang Tiemei’s pragmatic approach to life. Despite their differences, they form a close bond, supporting each other through life’s uncertainties.
Wang Tiemei’s past remains a source of struggle, particularly with the interference of her ex-husband, whose actions disrupt her efforts to maintain stability for her daughter. His presence forces her to confront unresolved emotions and redefine her path forward. Meanwhile, Xiao Ye provides Wang Tiemei with a different perspective on relationships and self-worth, encouraging her to embrace change.
As Wang Moli’s interest in music grows, her drumming teacher, Xiao Ma, introduces new possibilities into Wang Tiemei’s life. His patience and understanding challenge her guarded nature, prompting introspection about her aspirations beyond motherhood. His presence, alongside Xiao Ye’s influence, leads Wang Tiemei to reconsider her future and her ability to seek fulfillment on her own terms.
Over time, Wang Tiemei’s ex-husband and Xiao Ma also undergo change, gradually recognizing the importance of mutual respect and equality in their interactions. Their evolving roles not only impact Wang Tiemei and Xiao Ye’s journeys but also contribute to the broader narrative of understanding and change.
Through their experiences, both Wang Tiemei and Xiao Ye engage in conversations about identity, gender roles, and personal agency. As they confront societal expectations, they gain the confidence to voice their desires and redefine their relationships. The film explores themes of growth and transformation, highlighting how personal connections shape perspectives and lead to self-discovery.

## Cast

* Song Jia as Wang Tiemei
* Zhong Chuxi as Xiao Ye
* Zeng Mumei as Wang Moli
* Mark Chao as Wang Tiemei's ex-husband
* Zhang Yu as Xiao Ma
* Bin Ren as Xiao Hu
* Chi Zhang as Guitarist
* Yemang Zhou as Security
* Ju Wang as Xiaolu
* Lianshun Kong as Xiaozhou
* David Yang as Keyboardist
* Anton as Zhang Jiaxing
* Maya Feng as Maya
* Lai Wei as Chinese Teacher
Brief character descriptions:
Wang Tiemei: A clear-minded and independent "all-capable" single mother, she takes care of her child, builds her career, and manages everyday life. She was once an outstanding journalist but later gave up the profession she loved to become the editor-in-chief of a new media company, even taking on live-streaming sales. As an independent woman, Wang Tiemei believes she can excel in everything and strives to embody the traditional ideal of an exceptional woman.
Xiao Ye: The band's lead singer, Xiao Ye, appears carefree on the surface but is deeply lacking in love. She is a hopeless romantic who is willing to give more than she receives in relationships. A bit detached and emotionally unsettled, she tends to be impulsive, highly emotional, and even prone to stress-induced reactions.
Wang Moli: A 9-year-old child who wrote "no longer fantasizing" in her essay, Tiemei's daughter, known as "Kid Sister." She may seem mild-mannered, but she has a strong sense of independence. She learns to play the drums but isn't fixated on performing on stage, nor is she interested in the typical "win an award and become an inspirational success story" path. She expresses the raw truths that the adult world has long masked with embellishments and pretense.
Ex-husband: Wang Tiemei's ex-husband appears humorous, lovable, and optimistic on the surface, but deep down, he is delicate and sensitive. In an attempt to win Tiemei back, he diligently studies Chizuko Ueno's books, yet his words and actions often fail to align.
XiaoMa: Wang Moli's drum teacher engages in a "male rivalry" with Wang Tiemei's ex-husband in pursuit of her. He prides himself on knowing everything about Tiemei’s past reports, but behind his love, there is more than just pure affection.
XiaoHu: A doctor and the object of Xiao Ye's affection, he is drawn to the thrill of forbidden love. At first, he appears irresistibly charming, but eventually, his selfish nature is revealed. Even when Xiao Ye is tormented by love, he utters cringe-worthy lines like, "Loving me is enough."

## Production and pre-publicity

On 18 March 2024, the film began shooting in Shanghai and on the same day, the concept poster of the film was released.
This film serves as a parallel piece of director Shao Yihui's 2021 directorial debut B for Busy, continuing its focus on themes of "centering women's perspectives and addressing women's struggles" while conveying the idea that "loving the world begins with loving oneself."
When asked by the media about similarities and differences between Her Story and B for Busy, director Shao Yihui explained that the "similarity lies in their lack of intense drama—both are refined from everyday life", and in Her Story "places greater emphasis on showcasing women's unique life experiences, distinct from those of men" and "aim to present how contemporary independent women live, find happiness, and derive a sense of meaning and value." Shao Yihui has emphasized at public appearances that she is not interested in provoking “gender antagonism”.
On 25 October, the film released a playful teaser titled "Fun Story" and simultaneously unveiled a relationship poster series titled "So Close". On 29 October, "Her Story" was highlighted in Alibaba Pictures' latest film lineup for 2024. On November 1, a director's cut featurette called "Define by Yourself" was released, followed by the relationship featurette "Fully Matured Love" on November 5. A special video, "Bringing Joy", was released on 11 November, kicking off advance ticket sales and a limited second round of screenings in 64 cities from 16 to 17 November. As the release date approached, the final "Whatever" trailer was released on 18 November, along with the final "Live Your Best Life" poster. The "Pure Joy" special was released on 20 November. The film premiered in Beijing the same month and a promotional roadshow was held in Chengdu on the 19th. New posters were unveiled on 22 November.

## Release and reception

The film was released both domestically and internationally on 22 November 2024, with debut in the United States and Canada on November 28, followed by the United Kingdom on 29 November. In Australia and New Zealand, it was distributed in theaters by Little Monster Entertainment on 28 November, with Singapore’s Golden Village releasing it on the same date. Malaysia’s Mega Films Distribution released the film on 8 December. In China, from release until 11 December, the film made $77 million in box office, overtaking Moana 2. In Douban, Her Story has a score of 92.2%, indicating positive and critical acclaim.
The Chinese publication The Sixth Tone and British newspaper The Guardian called the film as China’s answer to the 2023 Hollywood blockbuster Barbie. In an interview, Yang Xiaolin, director of the Film Research Institute at Tongji University, highlighted the film's popularity as stemming from its keen observation of everyday life, marking it as a fresh take on realist cinema. He noted that the film captures the essence of the present without exaggeration, focusing on the experiences of ordinary individuals, particularly the young and middle-aged "new Shanghainese." However, Yang also criticized the film for its intentional sidelining of male characters, arguing that it portrays a gendered narrative where women are depicted as victims of harm or discrimination in a male-dominated society, often intensifying the gender conflict by glorifying one side while vilifying the other. Fang Xiaoya of China Daily wrote that the film "created a narrative that speaks to women's experiences with honesty and warmth, inviting the audience to imagine a world where women can be the architects of their own futures."
Wendy Huang of What's On Weibo wrote that "The success of Her Story, the conversations it inspires, and its contribution to highlighting female perspectives in film reflect the evolving dynamics of contemporary cinema and the strengthening of female voices in traditionally male-dominated industries."