A Thai film titled “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” has become a sensation in South East Asia. The movie, which was released in April, has topped box offices in the region and is receiving a lot of attention on TikTok.
The film revolves around a young man named M, who takes care of his dying grandmother while also trying to secure her fortune. As the story progresses, M starts to question his own motives as he develops a closer bond with his grandmother.
The movie has struck a chord with audiences, who have been sharing emotional videos of themselves before and after watching the film. Many viewers have expressed how the movie reminded them of their own relationships with their grandparents. One TikTok user, ianjeevan, wrote, “Running over to hug my grandma now! Exceptionally touching film… This movie hit even harder because it reminded me of my own relationship with my grandma.”
Young people have taken to social media to share their emotional reactions to certain scenes in the movie, particularly those depicting the grandmother’s pain and desperate pleas for her deceased parents to take her with them. One TikToker tearfully admitted, “I cried so much that all of my makeup was gone after the movie.” Another user, diariesofswan, expressed the sentiment of missing someone who can no longer be physically embraced or heard, saying, “After the movie, cry. Just cry, when you miss someone, whom you can’t even hug or hear their voice anymore.”
The film draws inspiration from scriptwriter Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn’s personal relationship with his own grandmother. Director Pat Boonnitipat, in his directorial debut, expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response the movie has received. He believes its success lies in its ability to tap into the complex dynamics of family relationships.
Combining elements of dark comedy and tear-jerking moments, the story centers around a dysfunctional family that manipulates the wealthy matriarch’s cancer diagnosis to plot for her inheritance.
One of the characters in the movie is M, portrayed by 24-year-old singer-actor Putthipong Assaratanakul. He moves in with his grandmother who is in poor health, supposedly to assist in taking care of her.
Despite being aware of her family’s ulterior motives, M’s grandmother, played by Usha Seamkhum, still loves and accepts her children.
Ms. Seamkhum, 78, has received high praise for her debut performance. Film critic James Marsh described her as “absolutely sensational” in her role as the “leader of this morally questionable bunch”.
The other characters, unlike the grandmother, are not very likable – Mr. Marsh even described them as “loathsome”. However, this story of a conniving family versus a lovable grandmother seems to have resonated with many viewers.
“We both love and hate them, but we also have to coexist with them. And sometimes, we neglect them. Perhaps this film reflects the multifaceted complexity of a large family,” director Pat Boonnitipat explained.
According to viewers, the film resonated with them in different ways. Some were reminded of the importance of spending time with loved ones, while others were taken back to memories of deceased grandparents or parents.
One TikTok user advised bringing multiple boxes of tissues when watching the movie. In fact, there are video clips online showing cinema staff distributing tissues to moviegoers as they enter the theater.
Malaysia’s largest cinema chain, GSC, has promoted the film as a must-see for those in need of a good cry. SM Cinema in the Philippines even set up tissue counters outside theaters screening the film.
Within the first 14 days of release, ticket sales in Thailand surpassed 250 million baht ($6.9 million, £5.3 million), placing it as the 11th highest-grossing Thai film.
Additionally, the movie has achieved great success in Indonesia as the most successful Asian film to hit screens, and in Singapore and Malaysia as the highest-grossing Thai film.