The Third Solar Term – Movie Review & Film Summary

Qizhe is a student who visits his mother in China during the school break. He stays with her for a couple of days. Qizhe has a close relationship with his mother, who dotes on her precious son. He is on his best behaviour around her. When they reunite, Qizhe's mother can smell cigarette smoke on his body. Qizhe denies her allegations and insists that he hasn't been smoking.

Qizhe hasn't told his mom about his attraction to guys. Behind her back, he hooks up with other men on the internet. Recently, he meets a red-haired guy and has a casual fling with him. They hook up in a campus bathroom stall. The red-haired guy is a smoker and encourages him to try. Qizhe wants to impress him and takes a puff.

Qizhe has a pet mantis, which he leaves in his mom's care. Upon his arrival, he brings home a second, younger mantis. Once the creature ages, he plans to put two mantises together in the same tank to mate. The red-haired guy seems interested in Qizhe's pets. Qizhe brings him home for a tour on a day when his mom goes out. However, things go differently than planned.

The Third Solar Term is an intelligent short movie that approaches a gay coming-of-age story from an unusual angle. It uses the behaviour of insects as a metaphor to represent the protagonist's complex relationship with his mother. The clever symbolism invites viewers to examine the plot more deeply to appreciate its nuances. I can tell the filmmaker has thought about the meaning behind each scene, crafting an intricate narrative with substance. The Third Solar Term is a work of careful consideration.

The film begins by introducing the duality in the main character's identity. The opening scene shows Qizhe in a risqué online chat with a half-naked man. Yet, he transforms his demeanour in the following exchange. The backpack, glasses, and buttoned-up shirt portray him as mommy's good little boy. The contrast between these two personas sets the central conflict of the movie. Qizhe leads a double life, concealing his sexuality at home. His secrecy reflects a common LGBTQ+ struggle. By tapping into a relatable experience, The Third Solar Term quickly establishes an intriguing plot.

The movie uses Qizhe's pet mantises as an analogy. Once the young insect grows up, it will move into the bigger tank to mate with the adult. As part of their metamorphosis, mantises shed their skin to develop a new outer layer. In one scene, Qizhe's mom puts exfoliation cream on her son's skin, alluding to the moulting process. Like the mantis, Qizhe is at a delicate life stage as he transitions from adolescence to adulthood. He worries about coming out to his mom. Revealing his sexuality indicates maturity, like a signal that he's ready to leave his nest to fornicate with others.

Unlike many coming-out stories, The Third Solar Term doesn't focus on seeking the parent's approval. Instead, the story is more about Qizhe's independence. Is Qizhe mentally strong enough to disregard his mother's response and admit there's a guy he fancies? The protagonist's self-acceptance is the real journey in The Third Solar Term. Thankfully, the cast's refined performances add gravitas to the riveting narrative. The actress playing Qizhe's mom (Zhu Zhu) is graceful while managing her emotions. She displays a hint of vulnerability beneath her composure.

The Third Solar Term is the most compelling whenever it explores Qizhe's bond with his mother. I'm fond of sensitive stories about LGBTQ+ children and their parents, so this movie's premise appeals to me. However, I'm not interested in the relationship between Qizhe and his love interest, which never expands beyond a hookup. Sadly, this film lacks emphasis on romance. The flirting and intimacy scenes fail to stimulate me. Since I don't care about the couple, the film struggles to capture my emotional investment. Instead of evoking warmth or passion, I feel cold and detached.

The Third Solar Term has a sad ending where Qizhe retreats to his cowardice instead of showing empowerment. The dead infant mantis symbolizes Qizhe's weakness. While I comprehend the movie's messages, the conclusion leaves me dissatisfied. Is that it? Is there more? I want a decisive resolution for our protagonist. Looking back on the movie, I respect its meaningful themes and astute metaphors. Yet, I don't have an attachment to the characters or the romance. Despite its intellectual merits, The Third Solar Term doesn't produce a sentimental response from me.