Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline in the quality of director Ke Wenli's films, particularly comparing "Murder by Deception" to his earlier work "Murder" and highlights the challenges faced in maintaining creative integrity after parting ways with producer Chen Sicheng [1][2]. Group 1: Film Quality and Direction - Ke Wenli's film "Murder by Deception" is perceived as a significant drop in quality compared to his earlier success "Murder" [1]. - The narrative quality of "Murder" is noted to be superior, while "Murder by Deception" is described as having a B-movie feel, yet it achieved a box office of 1.351 billion yuan, surpassing "Murder" [1]. - The original script for "Murder" took seven years to develop, indicating Ke Wenli's deep investment in his creative process, contrasting with the collaborative nature of "Murder" which involved multiple writers [2]. Group 2: Themes and Style - "Murder by Deception" is characterized by a dark, horror-inspired style that reflects Ke Wenli's true artistic vision, diverging from the more commercial and safe approach of Chen Sicheng [2]. - The film addresses social issues like bullying and substandard construction projects, using horror elements to engage audiences, although it is criticized for its simplistic narrative techniques [3]. - The sequel "Murder by Deception" continues the narrative style of the "Southeast Asian crime universe," leveraging Ke Wenli's background as a Malaysian Chinese director [3]. Group 3: Narrative and Character Development - "Murder by Deception" is criticized for its inconsistent narrative and character motivations, leading to a lack of coherence in the story [4]. - The film's attempt at a mystery plot is undermined by illogical character actions and a failure to maintain suspense, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience [4][5]. - The portrayal of characters in "Murder by Deception" lacks realism, with social class dynamics not accurately represented, further detracting from the film's credibility [5].

Group 1 - The film "The Hidden Kill" directed by Ke Wenli will be released nationwide on December 31, featuring a cast that includes Peng Yuchang, Zhang Junning, Huang Xiaoming, and others [3] - "The Hidden Kill" continues the themes of suspense and revenge from Ke Wenli's previous films, linking an anonymous serial murder case to a high school student murder case from 15 years ago [3] - The film incorporates intense action scenes and a carefully designed audiovisual language, with recurring imagery of crows symbolizing different meanings within the film [3] Group 2 - The film has already begun preview screenings [4]