Traces of Justice (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Traces of Justice is a Chinese crime drama following police officer Cui Xun through five decades of investigative work. Directed by Chen Sicheng, the film focuses on major cases, professional dedication and the changing public security system, with Zhang Yi and Li Xuejian portraying Cui Xun at different stages of his life.

Traces of Justice is a 2026 Chinese crime drama directed by Chen Sicheng. The film follows criminal police officer Cui Xun across half a century of investigative work, placing his career against the broader development of China’s public security system.

Zhang Yi plays Cui Xun, while Li Xuejian portrays the character in his later years. With a 2-hour-20-minute runtime and a story identified as based on a true story, the film presents a long-form account of duty, major investigations and professional commitment.

Traces of Justice movie details

Story without spoilers

The story centers on Cui Xun, a criminal police officer whose career spans fifty years. Working alongside his colleagues, he takes part in solving numerous major cases while remaining committed to the principle of serving the people.

As Cui Xun’s professional life unfolds, he also witnesses changes in China’s public security system. The film connects his individual record as a detective with the wider historical development of New China, making his career the central thread of the narrative.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a crime drama built around an investigator’s long career rather than a single case. The premise supports a broad time span, multiple major investigations and a focus on police work carried out over decades.

The film’s 140-minute runtime leaves room for Cui Xun’s story to cover different stages of his life, reflected by the casting of Zhang Yi and Li Xuejian. Its “based on true story” classification also places the character’s professional legacy at the center of the film’s presentation.

Cast and creative team

Zhang Yi leads the cast as Cui Xun, with Li Xuejian playing the older version of the character. Ma Li appears as Huang Rende, and Chen Minghao plays Wang Weiguo. The cast also includes Karry Wang, Fan Chengcheng and Arthur Chen.

Chen Sicheng directs the film and is also credited as a writer alongside Zhang Ji and Hui Zijie.

• Zhang Yi as 崔寻
• Ma Li as 黄仁德
• Chen Minghao as 王卫国
• Li Xuejian as 老年崔寻
• Karry Wang
• Fan Chengcheng
• Arthur Chen

Release and production context

Traces of Justice is a Chinese production from New Classics Media and As One Production. It is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 1, 2026. The film is 2 hours and 20 minutes long, belongs to the Crime and Drama genres, and is spoken in Mandarin. Its listed status is Released.

Production companies: New Classics Media, As One Production

Movies Dock view

With its half-century time span, true-story basis and emphasis on criminal investigations, Traces of Justice is structured as a career-spanning police drama. The film’s central focus is Cui Xun’s lasting commitment to investigative work and his place within the evolution of China’s public security system.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb