Watching Mistress Dispeller through the Montgomery County Public Library’s Kanopy service was a reminder of why looking for stories outside the mainstream is so rewarding. Directed by the visionary Elizabeth Lo and released in the U.S. in October 2025, this documentary is far from the high-stakes thriller the title suggests. Instead of private detectives and dramatic threats, it offers a slow, thoughtful look at how people try to fix what is broken.
The film follows a real-life case in mainland China, where a professional "mistress dispeller" named Wang Zhenxi is hired to end an affair and save a marriage. The story centers on Teacher Wang, the wife (Mrs. Li), the husband (Mr. Li), and the mistress (Fei Fei). It captures a patient, careful process of untangling emotions rather than a sudden explosion of anger. It is an elegant movie that sets an example for how conflict can be resolved.
Filmed in the bustling urban centers of China, the cityscapes are hyper-modern and organized, at times feeling similar to Japan. The kitchen and cooking scenes are particularly vivid, showing how food and daily chores are the quiet backbone of a home. My mouth watered every time the cooking was shown, highlighting how these daily rituals keep a family going even when things are difficult on the surface.
Award-Winning Artistry
Elizabeth Lo’s direction has turned this intimate family drama into a globally recognized masterpiece. The film had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Author Under 40 Award and the NETPAC Award. It also secured the Gold Hugo for Best Documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Golden Frog for Best Documentary Feature at Camerimage. Most notably, the film was recently shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards® for Best Documentary Feature (Lo, Elizabeth. "Awards & Screenings." Elizabeth Lo Official Site, 2025, Link to Source).
The last scene was well worth the wait. It feels earned because it shows that real change happens through long-term effort and understanding rather than quick fixes or the violence one might expect from a detective story. Lo’s achievement is in her ability to capture these private moments with such scrupulous respect for her subjects.
Community Resources
For those in our area, I highly recommend exploring the MCPL Downloads and Streaming portal. It provides free access to thousands of films that are often difficult to find elsewhere, showcasing diversity and international perspectives through high-quality cinema.
Critical Attribution
Critics have highlighted the film's unique, non-judgmental approach. Elizabeth Wong writes that the film "eschews the sensationalism of its premise for a deeply human look at modern Chinese social structures" (Wong, Elizabeth. "The Art of the Dispeller." Cinema Asia Quarterly, vol. 14, no. 2, 2025, Link to Source).
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