Film Name: 我的世界没有我 / My World without Me
The poster for the film “My World Without Me” is quite distinctive—a vivid red art poster that stands out remarkably. Typically, posters using this color palette belong to horror films or arthouse cinema, yet this rare warm realist drama delivers a different experience after the credits roll. This modestly budgeted film avoids forced sentimentality, instead using delicate brushstrokes to sketch the emotional struggles ordinary people face. It delves into themes like family bonds, romance, and marriage with rich layers. The cast features a familiar ensemble: Tian Hairong, Tan Kai, Shao Bing, Zhang Hanyu… Like long-lost friends suddenly returning to the big screen, their presence is refreshing and heartwarming.
Tian Hairong plays the lead character Xiang Xiaoyun, who is deeply entangled in emotional turmoil. Facing pressures from family, career, marriage, and daily life, she starts off with misfortune but gradually finds her life improving with her sister’s help. Such experiences aren’t extraordinary for ordinary people like us. Over the years, almost everyone has had one or even several friends going through similar struggles. So when the protagonist Xiang Xiaoyun’s life fragments scatter everywhere, every ordinary viewer watching the film sees their own reflection!
The film avoids sinking into bleak despair. Instead, it uses delicate color palettes and everyday cinematography to showcase fragments of Xiang Xiaoyun’s life. Through crisp editing, scenes of her eating alone, visiting doctors, or gazing at the sea reflect her inner turmoil. At pivotal moments, the film shifts to lighthearted scenes with old friends, where they animatedly reminisce about past joys, radiating a sense of delight.
Lead actress Tian Hairong, a seasoned performer trained at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, delivers a masterful portrayal. Her nuanced performances in scenes with her sister, new boyfriend, ex-husband, and daughter capture the complexities of love, pain, and joy with precision. Every detail is rendered with care, offering a complete and compelling depiction of the life struggles faced by a contemporary middle-aged woman.
Throughout “My World Without Me,” as Xiang Xiaoyun rebuilds her life, those around her become her steadfast support system, finally helping her cease her internal struggles. Director Wu, portrayed by Zhang Hanyu, offers career guidance, freeing her from worries. Xue Peng, played by Tan Kai, takes her sailing, reigniting her sense of romantic love. Though their relationship doesn’t last, it brings a sense of comfort. Xiang Xiaoxia, portrayed by Tian Haiyan, serves as the protagonist’s sister. She not only helps care for her niece but also repeatedly accompanies her sister to medical appointments, picks her up from the hospital, and tirelessly seeks employment opportunities for her. This ordinary yet profound familial support, so commonplace yet profoundly impactful, highlights the enduring power of kinship.
Of course, Xiang Xiaoxia also faced her own troubles, like when her niece got into a school fight, requiring her to meet with teachers and offer earnest guidance. In the final scene, she tearfully confided in her sister over the phone, expressing how her sister had given her a daughter—a child she had scolded and even hit, yet could never bring herself to abandon. This heartfelt emotional appeal was profoundly moving. Though these are the emotions of an ordinary family, they reveal profound depth in times of hardship.
Notably, Feng Xueya’s portrayal of Xiang Xiaoxiao—a 14-year-old girl who previously delivered an impressive performance in “To the Sky Kingdom”—marks her debut in “My World Without Me.” Through her spirited acting, she authentically captures the profound mother-daughter bond with Xiang Xiaoyun. When Xiaoyun, suffering from depression, separates from her daughter, Xiaoxiao cries helplessly, “Mom, when can I go back to my own home? I want to live with you every day.” Her compelling performance revealed genuine emotion, deeply moving the audience. When her father, who had left for unknown reasons, unexpectedly visited later, Xiang Xiaoxiao chose to hide downstairs. Watching him get into a taxi and depart through the glass window, the portrayal of blood-thick-than-water familial affection was heart-wrenching. Feng Xueya possesses remarkable acting talent—this post-2010s young actress shows immense potential!
Another memorable scene features Xu Lixin (played by Shao Bing) visiting Xiang Xiaoyun. Instead of melodramatic arguments, it captures the essence of real life! From sharing drinks and meals to smoking and chatting in the living room, this former couple interacts with remarkable ease and openness. Ultimately, Xu Lixin generously leaves his bank card behind—Shao Bing portrays this moment with effortless grace and profound responsibility.
“For ordinary folks, a big fish and a bowl of rice make for a good life.” This scene effectively reveals the protagonist’s complex emotions through others’ perspectives. Though seemingly understated, these lines articulate Xiang Xiaoyun’s hidden struggles while emphasizing life’s need for optimism—a glimmer of light must always shine through darkness. Screenwriter Liu Miaomiao’s dialogue radiates positive energy. Life is full of hardships, yet full of vitality too. There’s no need for self-sabotage. Living in the moment and living well for oneself is what truly matters most.
As Zhang Hanyu’s first film as executive producer and Tian Hairong’s directorial debut, “My World Without Me” brims with universal humanism, placing people at its core. Through delicate cinematography, it interprets the complex emotions within its characters, shot with reverence for the original intent of artistic creation. Every line of its everyday dialogue resonates deeply, not merely heard but felt in its emotional weight.
This warm humanity focuses on the anxieties and struggles of contemporary individuals navigating familial bonds, workplace pressures, health concerns, children’s growth, and love and marriage… evoking the line from “Shi Shuo Xin Yu”: “Having wrestled with myself for so long, I’d rather be myself.” When Xiang Xiaoyun finally finds healing through her loved ones and reconciles with herself, she stops the internal struggle, regains her courage, and feels the warmth of healing.
Please specify：Anime Phone Cases » My World without Me 2025 Film Review: I’ve wrestled with myself long enough—I’d rather be myself.