Unlikely Hero: A Review of How to make millions Before Grandma Dies
The critically acclaimed film, How to Make millions before Grandma Dies, has recently been added to Netflix, earning a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and joining the ranks of the top ten highest-rated movies on the platform. But what sets this Thai blockbuster apart from the rest?
- Breaking box office Records: With a worldwide gross of $73.8 million, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has become the highest-grossing international hit produced by Thailand, shattering box office records in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
- A Humble Storyline: Contrary to its attention-grabbing title, the film tells a humble and relatable story about a selfish grandson who volunteers to care for his terminally ill grandmother, only to discover the value of love, patience, and care.
- A Masterful Directorial Debut: First-time director Pat Boonnitipat showcases his measured direction, creating a richly layered and surprisingly graceful look at how families cope with turmoil.
The story follows M (played by pop star Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul), a college dropout whose sole aspirations are to achieve streaming fame, as he moves into his grandmother’s modest home to win her favor. However, as he becomes immersed in her daily rhythms and family history, he discovers the value of care, patience, and love.
“I wanted to make a film that would not only entertain but also make audiences think and feel something deeply,” says Pat Boonnitipat, the film’s director.
“The characters are human—they all want something from grandma—but none of them are villainous.”
Despite its Thai-Chinese setting, the film has struck a chord with audiences worldwide, tapping into a universal family experience that involves the looming specter of loss and complicated motives that surface near the end of one’s life.
| Film Analysis | Themes |
| A delicate balance of comedy and heartbreak | Redemption, family, love, and presence |
The film has received widespread critical acclaim for its thoughtful portrayal of family life, with reviewers praising its lived-in details and sunny, gracious portrait of family life. Notable critics have highlighted the film’s emotional honesty and balance of comedy and heartbreak, capturing the unpredictable ways we grow up and grow closer when we’re forced to be there for one another.
- RogerEbert.com: “A sentimental journey to redemption grounded in understanding and empathy.”
- Screen Daily: “A sentimental journey to redemption grounded in understanding and empathy.”
- Film Threat: “Brims with wisdom and insight, capturing the unpredictable ways we grow up, and grow closer, when we’re forced to be there for one another.”
Despite its global appeal, the film is not without its challenges. As a Thai-Chinese production, it faces cultural and linguistic barriers, but its universal themes have managed to transcend these obstacles, resonating with audiences worldwide.