Upcoming comedy finds hope in dark premise

He is a lonely, retired steelworker weighed down by multiple burdens: the passing of his peers, his own Parkinson's diagnosis, his son's perfunctory visits, and an overwhelming sense of being cast aside by the times. Driven to despair, he decides to end his life — and hires a caregiver who appears willing to help him carry out that decision.

This is the premise of Every Dog Has His Day, an upcoming comedy that brings together veteran Li Youbin and actor Lin Gengxin on the silver screen for the first time.

Scheduled for nationwide release on Friday, the film recently held its premiere in Beijing, attended by Li, who plays the retired steelworker, and Lin, who portrays the caregiver.

Despite its dark starting point, the film unfolds through a series of comically staged suicide attempts and gradually evolves into an unlikely friendship — one that ultimately helps both men confront their inner fears and rediscover purpose in life.

Director Yue Yang said that while wrapped in comedy, the film delivers a thought-provoking message, urging audiences to pay closer attention to the emotional lives of the elderly — particularly their often-overlooked loneliness and silent struggles with depression.

The film also serves as a tribute to Shao Yan, one of its screenwriters, who passed away from melanoma in March 2021. According to the crew, the premiere is regarded as the fulfillment of her final wish.

Actor Li, who is now 67, said, "These days, I prefer taking on roles that align with my own age. At this stage of life, I can truly relate to my character's emotional state and pain — which is why I chose to join this film."

The film has so far grossed 2.4 million yuan ($344,500) from preview screenings and online bookings, topping the country's presale box-office charts on Friday, according to industry tracker Maoyan Pro.