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| Per Aspera ad Astra Preview: Dylan Wang and Victoria Song Lead a Dream-Layered Sci-Fi Adventure (Photo: Weibo) |
Per Aspera ad Astra (星河入梦) is officially shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Chinese films heading into 2026, with new release details confirming its arrival during the Lunar New Year season. The sci-fi adventure has opened ticket pre-sales in China and locked in a Day One CNY cinema release, instantly pushing anticipation levels higher, especially among fans of Dylan Wang and Victoria Song.
Set in a near-future world driven by dream technology and virtual systems, the film blends sci-fi, action, and emotional storytelling into one ambitious package. Directed by Han Yan, Per Aspera ad Astra stars Dylan Wang Hedi as Biao Ge and Victoria Song Qian as Simon, supported by Zu Feng, Luo Haiqiong, and a special appearance from Wang Duo.
From early previews alone, it is already being positioned as a non-traditional Lunar New Year release aimed squarely at younger audiences craving something visually bold and concept-heavy.
The story kicks off deceptively grounded.
Zhang Qi Meng appears to be an ordinary high school student focused on exam preparation, until he is dragged out of the exam hall by a mysterious stranger, Biao Ge, who literally crashes through a window to reach him.
That moment flips everything.
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Qi Meng learns his reality is actually a virtual dream system, while his real body is an astronaut placed in hibernation aboard a spacecraft now facing an imminent disaster.
What follows is a layered journey through collapsing dream worlds, shifting identities, and a race against time to wake those trapped inside the system.
Recent trailers, including the widely discussed “Dream Within a Dream” preview, hint at a narrative built on stacked dream layers. Characters move between multiple dream copies while the central system, known as Liang Dream, begins to malfunction.
As dreams unravel, the line between reality and simulation blurs further, turning every memory and motivation into a potential clue or misdirection.
Small details, such as inconsistencies in injuries, unexpected emotional behaviour, and the ability to steal dreams, have already sparked intense speculation online.
Visually, the film is leaning hard into a colourful, futuristic aesthetic. Newly released posters show pixel-constructed imagery, neon palettes, and surreal dream landscapes, balancing festive Lunar New Year vibes with cyber-styled fantasy.
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The production team has clearly aimed for high popcorn appeal without losing the emotional undercurrent tied to memory, regret, and chosen reality. Industry watchers have pointed out that this approach fills a noticeable gap in recent holiday releases, which have leaned heavily towards comedy or family-centric storytelling.
For international viewers, the big question is how and where to watch Per Aspera ad Astra with English subtitles. At the moment, the film is confirmed for a nationwide theatrical release in China first, with overseas distribution still marked as to be announced.
However, strong rumours suggest the movie is already being lined up for global streaming platforms following its cinema run, making an international digital release very likely.
Fans outside China are advised to keep an eye on official platform announcements after the Lunar New Year window, as similar titles have previously landed with subtitles within weeks rather than months.
Online reactions so far have been mixed but lively, which in itself has helped boost visibility. Supporters are praising the fresh sci-fi concept, bold visuals, and the pairing of Dylan Wang and Victoria Song in roles far removed from their usual projects.
Others remain cautious, questioning whether the complex dream-within-dream structure will fully land with general audiences. Still, most agree that the premise alone makes it one of the more daring Chinese films to hit the Lunar New Year season in recent years.
It promises a layered sci-fi adventure that plays with perception, identity, and emotional truth, wrapped in a visually ambitious package.
Are you excited for this kind of high-concept Chinese sci-fi, or do you think the dream narrative might be too ambitious?