Good movies are great because they bring you out of this world to experience things beyond your imagination.
One might even call it an escape from reality – at least I like to call it that. *sobs in adulting*
However, a recent film that was so rooted in reality just dropped, and it has caused a wave of people to bawl – and post about it on TikTok.
Here’s all you need to know about How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
Another Thai Masterpiece
Thai productions have always been known to invoke strong emotions among their audiences.
From horror that scares the living daylights out of you to emotional rollercoasters that make you bawl your eyes out – what can you expect if even their advertisements have this effect on you?
Of course, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (HTMMBGD) is no different.
The film follows the story of a teenage boy, M, who quits his job to care for his grandmother diagnosed with stage four cancer.
However, he does this hoping to gain favour with “Amah” and receive a big inheritance once she passes.
It is a story about redemption and family, something everyone can resonate with – with its relatability leading to the extent of this film’s success.
Realistic Lesson About Love and Loss
As we follow the family’s story, audiences are forced to confront topics that hit close to home.
Many reviews about the film talk about that, as one user succinctly puts it, the film “feels relatable because it deeply understands family dynamics, especially in Asian families”.
The film does a great job of accentuating these dynamics through its characters – M, Amah, and her three children.
It’s a tearjerker for sure – I haven’t even seen the film but am full-on bawling just READING the synopsis of some scenes.
The Lead Actor’s Family are Named after Disney Characters
The actor playing the lead character M, Putthipong Assaratanakul, also known as Billkin, is a well-known actor in Thailand.
Starting as an actor and host, he has also modelled and released music – truly a man of many talents.
Interestingly enough, he has older siblings who are named Mickey and Winnie, after the famous Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh.
His father initially considered nicknaming Putthipong “Eeyore” but later settled on “Bill”.
His four-year-old brother called him “Billkin” one day and they just went with it – the more you know.
Resonated with Audiences so Much it Became a TikTok Trend
Those who have watched the film since its opening have realised just what a tearjerker it is.
Many of the film’s audiences have taken to TikTok to record before and after reactions to the film.
Most of the time, they are seen to be cheery before the film but are in absolute emotional shambles after.
Some others have also made watching the film a try-not-to-cry challenge after seeing how emotional it has made people to date.
It has turned the social media platform into an absolute cryfest – and I don’t blame them.
This is the Director’s Debut Feature Film
The director of the film has since thanked audiences for the viral social media response and sees this reaction as his film “resonating” across the region.
Speaking to This Week in Asia, he said that “everybody has a family,” and that is why “this film resonates to that very deep feeling that we can all relate to”.
He showed his gratitude, stating that he was “very fortunate to see the faces of the audience,” and that “this will be a part of how I make the next one”.
This film’s popularity has skyrocketed since its premiere.
In Thailand, the film grossed 250 million baht (~S$9.1 million) in the first 14 days of its release.
Here in Singapore, it has earned more than S$330,000 since its release on 30 May 2024, making it the biggest opening weekend for a Thai film in Singapore.
its ratings make it clear that while people are sobbing, they are very much enjoying this film, with an 8.4/10 rating on IMDb and 97% of Google users liking the film.
Needless to say, if you’d like to catch this film in theatres, please bring tissues – don’t say we never warn you.