The film Raise the Red Lantern, directed by Zhang Yimou, indicates the fate of women are under the control of men from the perspective of composition and tone, and the irony of the unfair social system and feudal thoughts. This paper mainly analyzes the direction of female survival in this film, and finds that China has a deep-rooted patriarchal ideology, which has not been completely eliminated in modern society. It is difficult for women to play their own rights, interests and roles in this society, and they are likely to be unable to be themselves under the coercion of the system or family. It is hoped that through the expression of the film and the analysis of this paper, people who still live under the controlled system can get out of the haze and find themselves, and at the same time, people who control others can realize their mistakes and cause human reflection, so as to change peoples living situation in the society.