The Great Wall (2016) is a historical-fantasy film directed by Zhang Yimou, known for his visually stunning films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers. Starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe, and Andy Lau, the movie blends Chinese mythology with an action-packed storyline set against the backdrop of the iconic Great Wall of China.

The story takes place during the Song Dynasty, with William Garin (Matt Damon) and Pero Tovar (Pedro Pascal), European mercenaries in search of gunpowder. They find themselves captured by a secretive Chinese military order known as the Nameless Order, which defends the Great Wall against monstrous creatures called Taotie. These creatures, which attack in waves every 60 years, are led by a queen that commands the hive-like horde.

Initially skeptical of the Nameless Order’s mission, William and Tovar soon find themselves in the middle of a large-scale battle for survival. William’s remarkable skills with a bow and his growing respect for the Chinese soldiers and their leader, Commander Lin Mae (Jing Tian), lead him to stay and fight alongside them. As the Taotie threaten to breach the wall and invade the rest of China, William and Lin Mae must team up to stop the creatures and prevent total destruction.