《731》這部電影在2025年9月18日上映時承載巨大的期待，因為影片聚焦歷史上備受爭議的731部隊事件，題材沉重且帶有深刻的歷史烙印。影片首日票房即突破3億元人民幣，隨後第二天票房突破5億元，四天內累計票房已超過13億元，一度躋身年度票房前五名，展現出驚人的商業號召力。然而，在票房數字迅速攀升的同時，觀眾的口碑卻出現了明顯分化，呈現兩極化的趨勢。

正面觀眾認為，影片在表現手法上克制而沉痛，導演通過藝術化的拍攝手法，將歷史的恐怖與悲壯感傳達得更加深刻，令人對事件感到敬畏和沉思。這部分觀眾欣賞影片對歷史的尊重以及心理層面的張力，認為這種含蓄而不血腥的表現方式更能引起思考和情感共鳴。

然而，另一部分觀眾則表達強烈的不滿和失望。他們原本抱著紀錄片或控訴片的期待進影院，想要看到血腥、直觀的歷史再現，結果卻遇到大量留白、象徵性場景和心理恐怖描寫，這種表現方式讓他們感到“過於輕飄”，與預期落差極大，因此出現大量差評。批評者認為，導演在講故事的能力上存在不足，情節跳躍、邏輯松散，全片過度依靠煽情來抓住觀眾，甚至被指有“賣慘”或者“消費愛國情懷”的嫌疑。

此外，不少觀眾質疑歷史還原的真實性。例如影片中監獄場景過於整潔，不符合戰俘所處的真實環境；某些角色設定不合歷史背景，部分場景如“貼瓷磚”或“女軍官”的橋段被認為過度藝術化，與史料不符，削弱影片的歷史厚重感和真實性。這種藝術處理與真實還原之間的張力，使得影片在口碑上形成明顯對立：一方面是對藝術化表現和情感深度的認可，另一方面是對歷史真實性和故事扎實度的質疑。

總體而言，《731》在票房上的成功掩蓋不口碑分化的現象。影片在商業和情感層面都引發了廣泛討論，觀眾對其歷史表現方式、情節敘事及藝術處理的評價兩極分化，這也反映社會對於歷史題材影片的高度敏感與多元期待。

The film 731, which premiered on September 18, 2025, carried enormous expectations due to its focus on the highly controversial historical events surrounding Unit 731. The subject matter is heavy and deeply etched with historical significance. The film had an impressive opening day at the box office, earning over 300 million yuan, followed by more than 500 million yuan on the second day. Within just four days, the cumulative box office exceeded 1.3 billion yuan, placing it among the top five highest-grossing films of the year. However, while the box office numbers soared, audience reception quickly revealed a sharp divide, with opinions polarizing dramatically.

Some viewers praised the film for its restraint and somber tone. They appreciated the director’s artistic approach, which conveyed the horror and tragedy of history in a more profound and reflective manner. These audiences valued the film’s respect for historical events and the psychological tension it created, believing that the understated, non-gory presentation encouraged deeper reflection and emotional engagement.

On the other hand, a significant portion of viewers expressed strong dissatisfaction and disappointment. Many had expected a documentary-style or exposé-driven film with direct, graphic depictions of historical atrocities, but instead encountered symbolic, minimalist, and psychological horror scenes. This artistic choice left them feeling that the film was “too light” and created a stark gap between expectation and reality, resulting in numerous negative reviews. Critics argued that the director’s storytelling was weak, with disjointed plotlines and loose logic, relying heavily on emotional manipulation rather than solid narrative, and accused the film of “exploiting tragedy” or “commodifying patriotism.”

Moreover, questions arose regarding the film’s historical accuracy. Some viewers pointed out that the prison scenes appeared too clean to reflect the true conditions faced by prisoners, and certain character portrayals seemed historically implausible. Scenes such as “tiled walls” and the inclusion of a “female officer” were criticized as overly stylized and inconsistent with historical records, undermining the film’s authenticity and gravitas. This tension between artistic interpretation and historical fidelity contributed to the polarized reception: one group valued the artistic expression and emotional depth, while the other criticized the lack of historical realism and coherent storytelling.

In summary, while 731 achieved significant commercial success, it could not escape the sharply divided audience opinions. The film sparked widespread discussion on both its commercial and emotional impact, with audience evaluations of its historical representation, narrative structure, and artistic choices reflecting a complex and polarized response to historical subject matter.