The River Monster (2019), also known as He Shen, is a Chinese action-fantasy film directed by Zhang Li and Crystal Zhang. The narrative centers on Liu Yidao, a martial artist renowned as the “Ghost Sword” in the martial arts world, who withdraws from his pursuits to seek medical treatment for his ailing sister, Xiaopiao. During his quest, he encounters a demon clan led by Jin Chanzi and Snake Girl, who aim to resurrect the Black Dragon to dominate the world, causing turmoil in the human realm to enhance their powers.

Amidst this chaos, a Koi spirit named Xiaoyu inadvertently enters the human world and is captured by the Demon Pavilion. Liu Yidao rescues her, initially motivated by monetary gain, but soon discovers that Xiaoyu is the reincarnation of the Black Dragon. As the demon clan learns of Xiaoyu’s true identity, they seek to exploit her to summon the Black Dragon. In the process of safeguarding Xiaoyu, Liu Yidao develops deep feelings for her. Initially, Xiaopiao is wary of Xiaoyu, but over time, they form a close bond. The film weaves themes of love, loyalty, and the eternal struggle between good and evil within a richly imagined fantasy setting.

The movie features performances by Liu Di as Liu Yidao, Yue Hu as Xiaoyu, and Liling Chen as Xiaopiao. Despite its intriguing premise, The River Monster received mixed reviews, holding an average rating of 4.7 out of 10 based on limited audience feedback.