‘The Forbidden City’ Brings Brutal Action and Vengeance Home This March

4 min read

Gabriele Mainetti is stepping back into the spotlight with a film that doesn’t ease you in — it throws you straight into the fire.

‘The Forbidden City’, the latest action-packed crime thriller from the acclaimed director behind They Call Me Jeeg Robot and Freaks Out, will be available on Digital starting March 17, 2026, before landing on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on April 21, 2026.

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A Gritty Story Fueled by Loss and Revenge

At its core, The Forbidden City is driven by two people who have nothing left to lose.

Mei, played by Yaxi Liu, arrives in Rome searching for her missing sister, only to cross paths with Marcello (Enrico Borello), a man chasing answers about his own father’s disappearance. What starts as a shared mission quickly turns into something far more dangerous, as the two are pulled deep into the Roman underworld where survival is anything but guaranteed.

This isn’t a polished, clean-cut version of Rome either. The film leans into the grime, the chaos, and the violence that lives beneath the surface, creating a world where every move comes with consequences.

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Action That Doesn’t Hold Back

Mainetti doesn’t play it safe here, and that’s exactly what makes this hit.

The film thrives on hard-hitting, close-quarters combat, with Yaxi Liu bringing a level of physicality that immediately stands out. Her background as a stunt performer shows in every sequence, giving the action a raw, grounded feel that doesn’t rely on flashy edits or shortcuts.

There’s weight behind every hit, every fall, every moment where things spiral out of control. And when the film picks up speed, it doesn’t let go.

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A Cast That Grounds the Chaos

While the action carries a lot of the momentum, the cast keeps the story anchored.

Sabrina Ferilli and Marco Giallini bring a seasoned presence that adds depth to the world around Mei and Marcello, while Shanshan Chunyu and Luca Zingaretti help round out a supporting lineup that feels lived-in rather than just functional.

Instead of feeling like pieces moving around an action set, these characters help shape the tension, giving the film something to stand on beyond just the violence.

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An International Hit with Critical Recognition

The Forbidden City hasn’t just landed because of its action — it’s been recognized across multiple major festivals and awards circuits.

Director Gabriele Mainetti picked up honors including Best Feature Length Film at the Catalonian International Film Festival in Sitges, along with a Silver Ribbon for Best Director from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists. The film also earned recognition at the Italian Golden Globes and the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival, reinforcing its place as more than just another genre entry.

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Watch the Trailer

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Bringing the Experience Home

With its upcoming home release, The Forbidden City gives audiences another chance to experience one of the more intense action entries of the year — this time with the added benefit of high-quality home formats.

Whether it’s the crisp presentation of 4K Ultra HD or the immersive sound design powered by Dolby Atmos, this is the kind of film that benefits from being turned up loud and watched all the way through.

And if you missed it the first time around, this is one worth catching up on.

ABOUT WELL GO USA ENTERTAINMENT

Well Go USA Entertainment (www.wellgousa.com) is an Oscar^®-nominated theatrical and home entertainment distribution label that specializes in bringing the best in action, genre and independent films from the U.S. and around the world to North America. Well Go titles can be seen across a variety of platforms, including in theaters, on-demand, via DVD and Blu-ray and on television, as well as on mobile and connected devices through martial arts action channel Hi-YAH! (www.hiyahtv.com). Well Go USA Entertainment’s corporate headquarters is in Allen, Texas, with an additional office in Taiwan.