電影《731》在中國上映的首日，就以驚人的3.45億元人民幣票房引爆市場。這一數字不僅遠遠超過許多中高成本電影的整體票房，更令人驚訝的是，它並非選在黃金檔期的節假日或週末，而僅僅是一個普通的工作日週四。換句話說，就「工作日單日票房」而言，《731》已經刷新中國影史的記錄，並且成為單日場次排片最高的電影。這種熱度其實並不出乎意料，因為該片在暑期檔缺席，吊足觀眾胃口，讓市場期待被壓縮到極致，首映時自然會爆發式釋放。

然而，問題在於這種狂熱能否延續。觀眾與評論界普遍關注，《731》能不能一路長紅直取數十億票房，還是僅僅止步於「首映即巔峰」？與先前的《南京照相館》口碑逐漸站穩不同，《731》自上映伊始便充滿爭議。部分觀眾認為影片震撼人心，尤其是其觸及的歷史題材讓人難以平靜，但也有大量批評聲音指出，導演在處理如此沉重的歷史時顯得力不從心。

最具爭議的焦點在於，電影將殘酷的歷史事件包裝成類似「越獄冒險片」的敘事結構。根據不少網友的觀影反饋，影片更像是一群人試圖逃離惡魔之地的過程，但最終「無人生還」，結局設計被認為過於戲劇化，甚至有消費歷史悲劇之嫌。許多觀眾覺得這樣的處理方式對受害者並不尊重，也與歷史本身的沉重意義背道而馳。

因此，《731》在票房高歌猛進的同時，口碑卻陷入兩極化：一邊是觀眾在視覺與氛圍上的震撼體驗，另一邊則是對於歷史嚴肅性的質疑與批判。這也讓外界對該片的長線走勢更加難以預料——究竟會成為票房奇蹟，還是因爭議過大而迅速遇冷，仍需時間來驗證。

The film 731 made a staggering 345 million yuan at the Chinese box office on its very first day of release. This figure alone already surpasses the lifetime earnings of many mid-to-high-budget films. What makes it even more astonishing is that the release date was not during a holiday or weekend, but on an ordinary Thursday. In terms of single-day weekday box office, 731 has likely set a new record in Chinese film history. It also became the film with the highest number of screenings in a single day.

This explosive start, however, was not entirely unexpected. The film had skipped the summer season, which only heightened anticipation among audiences. By the time it was finally released, expectations had built up to an almost unbearable degree, creating a situation where the first day turnout was bound to be massive. But the big question now is whether this momentum can last. Will 731 continue its run and break into the multi-billion-yuan range, or will it prove to be a case of “peaking on opening day”?

Unlike Nanjing Photo Studio, which stabilized its reputation over time, 731 immediately became embroiled in controversy. Some viewers praised it as a powerful and shocking experience, particularly given its sensitive historical subject matter. Yet many others criticized the director’s handling of such a heavy theme, arguing that the creative choices weakened the gravity of the history it sought to portray.

The sharpest criticism centers on how 731 frames the story. Instead of a solemn historical reflection, the film has been described as resembling a “prison break adventure.” According to viewers, much of the narrative revolves around escape attempts, only for the film to end with “no one surviving.” This dramatization struck many as inappropriate, with some accusing the filmmakers of trivializing or even exploiting historical tragedy for entertainment purposes.

As a result, 731 finds itself at a crossroads: its commercial success is undeniable, but its reception is sharply polarized. On one side are audiences moved by the film’s intensity and atmosphere; on the other are critics questioning whether it respected the historical reality it depicted. Whether the film sustains its box office dominance or quickly cools under the weight of controversy remains to be seen.