Online scams will dominate Vietnamese films at the end of 2025.

The end of 2025 marks the consecutive release of Vietnamese films exploring the theme of fraud – a dark side that is causing widespread concern in real life.

Báo Quảng Ninh•21/11/2025

Lien Binh Phat and Tam Trieu Dang star in the film "Money Trap". Photo: Film crew.

The theme of fraud will become a highlight of Vietnamese cinema in late 2025 and early 2026.

"Money Trap," released in November, is inspired by scams conducted via phone, social media, and financial apps. The film revolves around the character Dang Thuc (Lien Binh Phat), who is drawn into a digital credit trap and manipulated through the sophisticated networks of high-tech criminals. The film is thrilling, with a touch of humor, reflecting reality while also warning viewers about this increasingly widespread type of crime.

Meanwhile, "Blood Paradise"—a project that garnered attention in the final months of 2025—focuses on simulating a transnational scam where victims are lured with promises of easy jobs and high salaries, only to be sold to fraudulent "factories."

The film depicts the context of cybercrime, the training of "employees" to become tools of fraud, and the devastating consequences for both victims and those forced into the crime. The film stars Quang Tuan and Hoai Lam.

The common thread among the series is their focus on current events, reflecting the various forms of fraud existing in Vietnamese society: from impersonating government agencies, romance scams, financial fraud, to high-tech crimes and cross-border human trafficking.

The fact that directors are proactively venturing into survival, crime, and fraud themes shows that Vietnamese cinema is shifting towards more edgy subjects that reflect life more directly.

Keeping up with current events, offering fresh content, and investing in production.

First of all, the consecutive appearance of films about fraud has brought a breath of fresh air to Vietnamese cinema – which has long been familiar with comedy, romance, or family dramas. Exploiting existing anxieties in society, these films quickly attracted the attention of audiences because they touched on hot issues: online fraud, multi-level marketing scams, illegal labor recruitment, identity fraud, etc.

The novel themes allow Vietnamese films to broaden their expressive styles: fast-paced films with many action, investigation, and chase scenes; and at the same time, create opportunities for actors to explore psychological depth when playing victims or those forced to commit crimes.

The level of investment is also noteworthy. "Money Trap" focuses on meticulously staging scenes depicting digital credit scams; "Blood Paradise" creates a tense atmosphere with a simulated fraud center setting; and "Human Trafficking Camp" dedicates time to building the criminal network and the escape. These efforts demonstrate the film crew's desire to bring viewers closer to the alarming realities of society.

Another advantage is its value in raising public awareness. The series helps viewers identify criminal tactics, increase vigilance, and better understand the sophisticated scams that are leaving many people penniless. On a deeper level, the works also raise questions about the responsibility of digital media, social media management, and the psychological consequences for victims.

Challenges stemming from the subject matter

Despite offering many advantages, exploiting fraud also poses numerous challenges for manufacturers.

First of all, this is a sensitive topic, touching upon real life, and easily sparking debate if depicted inaccurately or if the audience misunderstands the film as exaggerated or sensational. Directors must weigh cinematic fiction against factual accuracy – a very thin line.

Furthermore, investigative and survival films require elaborate production, complex set design, and thorough research into criminal procedures. If data is lacking or the process is misrepresented, the film will lose its impact and be considered unconvincing.

Another issue is the psychological pressure on actors when playing characters who are tortured, deceived, trafficked abroad, or facing the risk of death.

Ultimately, this genre struggles to achieve box office success without entertainment value. Therefore, many teams are forced to balance educational value with engaging content, creating a significant challenge in the storytelling process.

In the context of the increasing prevalence of high-tech fraud, the bold exploration of this topic by Vietnamese cinema is a positive sign. The three films "Money Trap," "Blood Paradise," and "Human Trafficking Camp" demonstrate a trend towards filmmaking that resonates with the times and reflects the anxieties of contemporary society. And despite the challenges, this remains a promising direction for Vietnamese cinema in the coming years.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/lua-dao-qua-mang-chiem-song-phim-viet-cuoi-nam-2025-3385516.html