“Brotherhood” becomes a substitute for lost power in real life, creating an emotional space where marginalized men can reclaim dignity. However, these films often exclude women and non-conforming masculinities, reinforcing male-dominated hierarchies.

Today, “Jianghu” ideals are less dominant but still resonate. While modern audiences question violent masculinity, the emotional core—male bonding and loyalty—remains powerful, though now expressed in more complex, sometimes critical, narratives.