The film is based on the real-life criminal case of Yang Jia, a Chinese man who killed six police officers after being arrested and beaten for riding a bicycle without a license.

The film focuses on a partly fictionalized account of the real-life case of a Chinese man who killed six policemen after he was continually harassed by them.

The film is based on the criminal case of a Chinese man named Yang Jia, who was arrested and beaten because he rode a bicycle without a license.

I’m not all that worried about this, but I need to carefully consider whether this decision would result in something worthwhile.”Stephen Dalton, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, wrote, "In the light of such state-sponsored bullying, it feels churlish to criticize When Night Falls for its minimal entertainment value.

But the pacing is painfully slow in places, while the lack of factual background seems to undermine Ying’s intention to illuminate an infamous injustice".