So Close (2002) is a Hong Kong action-thriller film directed by Corey Yuen, known for his expertise in martial arts choreography. The movie is a sleek, high-energy blend of action, drama, and technology-driven intrigue. It stars Shu Qi, Zhao Wei (Vicky Zhao), and Karen Mok as its three charismatic leads. With its stylish fight scenes and themes of sisterhood and rivalry, So Close has become a cult favorite among fans of action cinema.
The film centers around two sisters, Lynn (Shu Qi) and Sue (Zhao Wei), who operate as a high-tech assassin duo using advanced surveillance and hacking technology. Their unique edge comes from a program called “World Panorama,” developed by their late father, which allows them to access any camera network worldwide.
Lynn is the field operative, skilled in hand-to-hand combat and stealth, while Sue is the tech genius who supports her sister from behind the scenes. The sisters are a formidable team, but cracks begin to form as Sue yearns for independence and a life outside the shadow of their dangerous work.
The story kicks off when the sisters are hired to assassinate Chow Lui, the CEO of a major corporation, who is betrayed by his younger brother Chow Nunn. The assassination attracts the attention of police investigator Hong Yat Hong (Karen Mok), a tenacious detective determined to bring the killers to justice.
As the plot unfolds, the sisters find themselves targeted by Chow Nunn, who seeks to eliminate them to cover his tracks. What follows is a thrilling game of cat and mouse involving betrayal, loyalty, and shifting alliances. Hong eventually discovers the sisters’ motivations and becomes an unexpected ally in their fight against Chow Nunn’s forces.
The climax sees the sisters and Hong joining forces to take down Chow Nunn in an epic battle that blends martial arts, gunfights, and high-tech wizardry. However, the victory comes at a cost, leading to an emotional and bittersweet ending.