Unlike Wang's previous film,
Beijing Bicycle,
Drifters received mixed reviews from western critics. Derek Elley of
Variety claimed that the film's "potentially involving story is too often chopped off at the knees," and also found the movie's cast to be limited by inexperience. Other critics were even more critical, arguing that the film relied on over-direction to mask a simple and "syrupy" melodrama. However, some critics were more positive. Bérénice Reynaud of
Senses of Cinema found
Drifters to be superior to the "superficial"
Beijing Bicycle, and placed it in the growing category of "mature, disturbing, thought-provoking masterpieces inspired by globalisation." == Release ==