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Vivian Wu

Vivian Wu

Actor, also producer · Born February 5, 1966 (60) · Shanghai, China

Vivian Wu (born February 5, 1966 in Shanghai), is a Chinese actress, known for her roles in The Last Emperor (1987), Heaven & Earth (1993), The Joy Luck Club (1993), and The Pillow Book (1996) and as the historical figure of Soong May-ling, commonly referred to as Madam Chiang Kai-shek, in two major Chinese motion pictures The Soong Sisters (1997) and The Founding of a Republic (2009) Description above from the Wikipedia article Vivian Wu, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 5, 1966 (60)
From
Shanghai, China
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 88 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 8% in 30 days

What are Vivian Wu's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Action movies
History2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their History movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
25%
Self
24%
Morality
16%
Survival
13%
Society
12%
Power
9%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeWar3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 5 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 8 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 10 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
9
Bittersweet
10
Contemplative
8
Warm
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Thought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Vivian Wu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Vivian Wu's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

88 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Slanted(2025)

    as Sofia Huang

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Love Again(2025)

    Show 36 episodes · as Yao Shuishan

  • Six Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 38 episodes · as Liu Meixin

  • Irma Vep(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jade Lee

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Modern Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 38 episodes · as Cai Shengmei

  • The Afterparty(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as Vivian

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Perfect Couple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 46 episodes · as Bai Mei

  • The Priceless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 14 episodes · as Li Shuangqin

  • Qin Dynasty Epic(2020)

    Show 78 episodes · as 华阳夫人

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Away(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Yu

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Burning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 51 episodes · as Shen Chaoying

  • Knock Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • The Best Partner(2019)

    Show 42 episodes · as Liao Jiamin

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • 巅峰之夜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 13 episodes · as 邬君梅

  • Treasure in the Forbidden City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace(2018)

    Show 87 episodes · as Niohuru Zhenhuan

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Always with You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 46 episodes · as Hu Yuanyuan

  • Next Time, Together Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 40 episodes · as Qiu Yue

  • Station 19(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Petra Lau

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Dead Pigs(2018)

    Producer · as Candy Wang

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Dear Them (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 41 episodes · as Qiu Ya

  • In Harm's Way(2017)

    as Old Nunu

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Yang and His Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Father and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as 邬仙仙

  • The House That Never Dies: Reawakening(2017)

    as 谢梅瑛

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The First Half of My Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Aunt Wu

  • Youth Dinner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Su Qin

  • Yes! Mr. Fashion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 28 episodes · as Leng Shan

  • Go Lala Go! 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Qu Luoyì

  • Graduation Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 41 episodes · as Zhu Yuqiong

  • Feed Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Clinic Director

  • The Queens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Tina

  • Who Is Undercover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Xiaohong's Mother

  • Perfect Couple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 45 episodes · as Madam Jin

  • 女人帮 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 妈妈圈的流言蜚语 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 35 episodes · Actor

  • Hot Mom! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 38 episodes · as Li Muzi / Liu Xiaoqing

  • The Palace(2013)

    as Empress Xiaogongren

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Small Western-style Building (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • Judge Zhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • To Forgive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Snow Flower and the Secret Fan(2011)

    as Sophia's Aunt

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • 远去的飞鹰 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • Under the Influence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Tao Liuyan

  • The Qin Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 78 episodes · as 华阳夫人

  • The Founding of a Republic(2009)

    as Song Meiling

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Dwelling Narrowness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 35 episodes · as 姜淼淼

  • Desires of the Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Ye Sheng Ying

  • Shanghai Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Zhu Mei Li

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Prophet Ghost / Dana Clark

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Eve and the Fire Horse(2005)

    as May-Lin Eng

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Chinaman(2005)

    Producer · as Ling

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Beauty Remains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Ying

  • Encrypt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Diana

  • Red Skies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Wu Wen Li

  • Dinner Rush(2000)

    as Nicole Chan

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Secret Agent Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Ling #1

  • 8 ½ Women(1999)

    as Kito

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Blindness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Natalie

  • A Bright Shining Lie(1998)

    as Lee

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Soong Sisters(1997)

    as Soong Mei Ling / Madam Chiang

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Millennium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Tamara Shui Fa Lee

  • Roses Are Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Lin Hui

  • FX: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Taya Kwan

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Angelique Sonsiri

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Pillow Book(1996)

    as Nagiko

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Vanishing Son IV (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Lili

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Janet Wade

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Vanishing Son III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Lili

  • Vanishing Son II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Lili

  • Vanishing Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Lili

  • Vanishing Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lili

  • Heaven & Earth(1993)

    as Madame Lien

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Message from Nam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as France Tran

  • The Joy Luck Club(1993)

    as An Mei's Mother

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III(1993)

    as Mitsu

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as May-Ling Shen

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Guyver(1991)

    as Mizky Segawa

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Iron and Silk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Ming

  • Shadow of China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Moo-Ling

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeri Drumbeater

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Emperor(1987)

    as Wen Hsiu

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • A Border-Crossing Operation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as 童年

  • Spring in Autumn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as 顾小玲

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as April Dunbar · as Miko Ishida

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Forever Young (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • The Way Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Lin Yongkun

  • 一觉醒来 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 88 titles, 86 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

The Last Emperor (1987)

$44M worldwide

Highest rated

The Last Emperor (1987)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19832026

Peak 1994 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting88 of 88: 88 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1980s6 · acting1990s23 · acting2000s13 · acting2010s32 · acting2020s12 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 13% of 15 roles
8797

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Vivian Wu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

The Founding of a Republic (2009)

86th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Last Emperor (1987)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Vivian Wu's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles15–70 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Vivian Wu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Vivian Wu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joan Chen shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers