taking lives movie review

In their previous lives, the empress and the consort spent their whole lives locked in a bitter rivalry. It wasn't until their deaths that they uncovered the truth—they had both been pawns in the emperor's game. Their children were used to turn them against each other, and their families had all perished at the emperor's hands. Reborn, the empress returns to the very day the emperor falsely accused her of causing the consort's miscarriage. This time, she does everything she can to protect her former enemy. But before she can offer an explanation, she discovers that the consort has been reborn as well. Once they confirm their shared secret, the two women turn from rivals to allies, determined to take down the unfaithful emperor together. In their previous lives, the emperor's power was still shaky at this point, and he relied heavily on the political influence of both women's families. This time, the empress uses his greed against him and brings him to his own downfall. At the story's close, the consort embraces a life of peace while the empress ascends the throne with grace. For once, the women of the imperial harem live peacefully, free of rivalry. Who says a woman can't wear the crown?

Tommy, the ruthless second-in-command of a mafia family, crosses paths with Mathilda, a college student, sparking an unexpected connection. As secrets unfold and danger looms, their lives collide, forcing them to confront their pasts and the choices that will define their future.

Alvin Kirkland and Nahla Snider had been inseparable since they were kids. Twenty years of shared memories, inside jokes, and a promise to get engaged on his 25th birthday. But when the day finally came, Alvin walked in on Nahla taking couple-y pics with Jared Whitehead, some underclassman from college. She brushed it off like it was no big deal, kept making excuses for Jared, and expected Alvin to just deal with it. Fed up with her gaslighting, he left a breakup note, packed his bags, and took that overseas job offer without looking back.

Louise Trent's life is a complete mess. In college, she sells adult products to make ends meet, deals with a wicked stepmother and sister, and now she's stuck fighting with her cold fiancé. Oh, and let's not forget about his handsome uncle—who seems to be taking more than an interest in her. Tensions rise as her fiancé seethes over her growing closeness to his uncle, while the uncle, possessive and unapologetic, refuses to back down. Caught between the two, Louise can't help but wonder—when did her life become such a chaotic mess?

At only 20 years old, Yara Smith struggles to make a living, taking on various part-time jobs. One day, she unexpectedly becomes pregnant after spending a night with her best friend's uncle, Daniel Gray. The Gray family carries a curse — without an heir, they're doomed to die before the age of 30. As Yara faces constant mistreatment from her brother and sister-in-law, Daniel steps in, rescuing her from her misery and treating her with the care she's longed for. And together, they help each other heal, finding redemption in each other.

Tim Judd, a top tycoon, disguises himself as a delivery man. One day, while delivering an order, he accidentally walks in on Cora Bale while she's taking a shower and ends up being chased out by security. His son, Jack, thinks Tim is just goofing off and doesn't take any job seriously. When Tim makes a delivery the next day and meets Cora again, he helps her resolve a company crisis with ease, changing her impression of him. Although Tim may be slightly older, he proves to be quite reliable. Impressed, Cora asks him to be her fake boyfriend.

When the ruthless mafia boss Sable crosses paths with Daymond, a compassionate and determined doctor, their lives collide in an unexpected journey of obsession and unlikely affection. What begins as a tense power struggle slowly evolves into mutual respect. Together, they take on their enemies—and in the process, discover a love neither of them saw coming.

After losing her father, Nora Smith moves with her mother into the Lowe family, where she suffers constant bullying from her stepbrothers and relentless humiliation. Her mother urges her to remain silent, but everything changes when she discovers her stepfather's plan to marry her off to her lazy stepbrother, Xavier Lowe. Refusing to accept this fate, Nora hides her acceptance to a top university and escapes, taking on odd jobs to support herself while secretly pursuing her studies. Years later, her exceptional talent catches the attention of Rivelle's leading company, Grant Corp, which funds her studies abroad. Now, at 27, Nora returns as a powerful and influential figure, determined to reclaim her life.

Lydia’s lifelong dream is to become a pastry chef and make lives sweeter with her desserts - yet her own life is full of bitterness and suffering. Things change when the billionaire Scott shows up, and with a little white lie, changes Lydia’s fate. Lydia has no idea it all started with her kindness five years ago…

While delivering food, Miles accidentally walked into a conflict between Clare and her uncle, Baron. Baron coveted Clare's family's goods and intended to seize them. Miles not only ruined his scheme but also selflessly shielded Clare, taking a fatal bullet for her. As a result, Clare developed feelings for Miles, believing he was meant for her. However, Miles was already engaged to Winnie. Winnie and her family were greedy, constantly demanding money in the days leading up to the wedding. Miles' mother, Martha, invested everything she had for her son's marriage but still couldn't satisfy their insatiable greed. After learning that Miles was being tormented by Winnie's family, Clare intervened without hesitation. Using her strength to intimidate everyone, she successfully took Miles away, and they held their wedding.

Grayson's rescue of a little girl from a car crash brought him into the lives of the twins. EMMA and her brother, Lucas, immediately played matchmakers for Grayson and their mother, Hailey. Although Grayson didn't know the kids were his, he willingly settled in as their full-time dad. Meanwhile, Hailey was completely unaware that Grayson was both the man from her old one-night stand and a billionaire.

Five years ago, Johanna gave birth to twins for Samuel, and shortly after, they separated. When they encountered each other again five years later, Samuel was shocked to learn that she had given birth to a boy and a girl. He decided to conceal his identity and be there for them. Johanna mistakenly believed Samuel was just a construction worker and resolved to earn money herself, while Samuel became a full-time dad. Facing the challenges of taking care of the children, Samuel fumbled but still worked hard to learn, determined to be a good father. Johanna's father seized her inheritance and pressured her to divorce, but Samuel stepped in to take her away and vowed to give her the best life. At a banquet, Samuel publicly announced his identity, revealing that he was a billionaire, and he had been attracted to Johanna for her outstanding qualities.

While delivering food, Miles accidentally walked into a conflict between Clare and her uncle, Baron. Baron coveted Clare's family's goods and intended to seize them. Miles not only ruined his scheme but also selflessly shielded Clare, taking a fatal bullet for her. As a result, Clare developed feelings for Miles, believing he was meant for her. However, Miles was already engaged to Winnie. Winnie and her family were greedy, constantly demanding money in the days leading up to the wedding. Miles' mother, Martha, invested everything she had for her son's marriage but still couldn't satisfy their insatiable greed. After learning that Miles was being tormented by Winnie's family, Clare intervened without hesitation. Using her strength to intimidate everyone, she successfully took Miles away, and they held their wedding.

Five years ago, Su Li and the fugitive Fu Jiuchen shared a whirlwind, passionate night that led to an instant and deep connection. But they were soon separated. Now, five years later, Li has a sickly son and is at her wit's end. Desperate, she decides to pawn the jade pendant Jiuchen had left her. However, fate takes a strange turn when Jiang Ting acquires the pendant and, using it as a key, infiltrates the Fu household pretending to be Li, bringing her son along. In order to raise money for her son's medical treatment, Li takes up a job as a maid in the Fu residence. Unknowingly to Jiuchen, the woman he has been searching for all this time is living right under his nose. Unable to resist his intense attraction, he finds himself drawn to her once more, repeatedly taking what he desires by force...

Rebecca Jones, Finley Nixon's wife, rises from an ordinary employee earning two thousand a month to a successful CEO worth twenty million in just three years. Meanwhile, Finley still earns only five thousand a month. Feeling that Finley isn't keeping up with her, Rebecca decides to file for divorce. Taking advantage of the situation, Kent Lloyd offers to help with the divorce and swiftly handles the paperwork. But when news of the divorce spreads, powerful figures across the country rush to send their daughters to propose to Finley, willing to do whatever it takes to win his favor. At the same time, many of the financial backers who silently supported Rebecca's company begin to withdraw their support, all because of the divorce. What Rebecca doesn't realize is that her company's success has been built on Finley's poweful influence, something he has never known.

Vega Garrison, a top financial magnate, dies in an explosion only to find her soul inhabiting the body of a ""worthless"" woman arranged by a prestigious family as a substitute bride. Refusing to play the meek role, Vega breaks every rule—putting servants in their place, taking over the bedroom, and crushing fake heiresses under her heel.Powerful mogul Brycen Craig becomes instantly obsessed with her, his wheelchair no barrier to his fierce protectiveness. Meanwhile, business tycoon Elliot Malone completely misreads the situation, bending over backwards to help the fake heiress while unknowingly snubbing the real powerhouse—making himself the joke of high society.When Vega’s true identity finally comes to light, the entire world is shaken. The woman they dismissed as some country nobody is actually the legendary figure who once had two titans of industry fighting over her.

He is an orphan scorned by everyone. Just when he thinks he will spend his entire life like this, he unexpectedly crosses paths with the "swan" he have once secretly admired, and becomes the useless husband who lives off his wife. However, when someone suddenly appears before him and reveals that he is the heir to a hundreds of millions assets, what transformations will occur in his life? And how will he get along with his wife?

Once a crown prince, Finn Clark lives as a commoner after being rescued by Helen Smith, who raises him amid scorn and hardship. Though only a lowborn's daughter, she shields him, urging him to train in secret and wait for his moment. Enduring humiliation from Mark Smith and protecting his love Grace Conley, Finn hides his strength—until the combat tournament, where he shocks the realm and unknowingly draws his father,Emperor Sean Clark, closer to finding him.