IMDb 6.8 1985 HD

Year of the Dragon

Year of the Dragon

1985
Action Crime Thriller
134 min R USA
6.8 / 10
6.8 IMDB

In New York, racist Capt. Stanley White becomes obsessed with destroying a Chinese-American drug ring run by Joey Tai, an up-and-coming young gangster as ambitious as he is…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Michael Cimino / Yvonne Axeworthy / Michael Stevenson
Starring
Mickey Rourke / John Lone / Ariane / Leonard Termo / Raymond J. Barry / Caroline Kava / Eddie Jones / Joey Chin

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

intense gritty violent obsessive ambitious ruthless dark challenging performance-driven atmospheric complex unvarnished

Reviews

C
Clara Bellweather
May 21, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

'Year of the Dragon' presents a grim narrative of obsession and power struggles within New York's criminal element. Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of Captain Stanley White is certainly committed, showcasing a detective’s descent into ethically dubious methods. John Lone…

J
Julian Hayes
May 21, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is a film that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. 'Year of the Dragon' is a masterclass in atmospheric crime storytelling, anchored by a powerhouse performance from Mickey Rourke as the driven Captain Stanley…

P
Penelope Davies
May 21, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Year of the Dragon' offers a stark and often brutal portrayal of a war waged on the streets of New York. Mickey Rourke embodies the troubled Captain Stanley White with a grim intensity, his descent into increasingly violent…

A
Arthur Finch
May 21, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A visceral and uncompromising examination of obsession and the corrupting nature of power, 'Year of the Dragon' remains a landmark of 1980s crime cinema. Mickey Rourke is a force of nature as Captain Stanley White, a detective whose…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 21, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Michael Cimino's 'Year of the Dragon' is a potent, if occasionally heavy-handed, dive into the volatile underbelly of New York City. Mickey Rourke delivers a raw, unvarnished performance as Captain Stanley White, a man consumed by a crusade…

FAQs

Joey Tai is depicted as an ambitious and ruthless young gangster who is rapidly ascending within the criminal hierarchy. His rise presents a significant challenge to Captain Stanley White's authority and established order. Tai's character embodies the new wave of organised crime, demonstrating a shrewdness and determination that makes him a formidable adversary for White, driving much of the film's central tension.