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Papa (2024)

2024 • 2h 10m • Drama, Crime
On September 23, 2026
#42242▲ 15624
42242nd by Pulse movie online
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All reviews

CinemaSerf on Papa

7/10 · Mar 12, 2025

It's a demanding movie, though ultimately rewarding. We first encounter “Papa” (Ching-wan Lau) staring at his apartment building from the sidewalk as he runs a busy café. The story reveals that a double murder has occurred; his wife and daughter were stabbed to death by their son. This young man confessed openly to the crime and was subsequently institutionalized, with schizophrenia suspected. Over roughly two hours, we gain insight into the family’s relationships, and each character gets an opportunity to describe who they are and how they function within this close-knit, generally affectionate and argumentative family. Indications of “Ming’s” (Dylan So) mental health issues exist, but like any family, they believe they can manage it with love and support, and for the most part, the teenager seems to flourish alongside his mother (Kam Yin) and energetic sister “Yan” (Lainey Hung). The older man's grief and disbelief are powerfully portrayed, as is his guilt about not being present to prevent the attack or even be a victim of it. There’s also a clear feeling of forgiveness coming from someone who should understandably harbor deep hatred for his son, but doesn’t. As the narrative unfolds, we are invited to draw our own conclusions regarding potential warning signs or triggers and to understand just how challenging it was for this couple running a business that operated around the clock, frequently leaving them emotionally exhausted and sleep-deprived. It's about dealing with difficult situations, setting priorities, and doing your best—like everyone else—and hoping to avoid disruption from trauma, whether significant or minor. While not overwhelmingly bleak, there are moments of humor and an abundance of eating (more like consuming large quantities, really), including a mother-in-law joke. There are some oddities in the film’s production that occasionally suggest the director wasn't fully focused, and as with any effort to interweave timelines and characters, the continuity isn't flawless. However, if you consider it from a broader perspective—how a close family navigates life, love, disaster, and perhaps forgiveness—then this is a moving film featuring strong performances from both Ching-wan Lau and Dylan So, who plays a less central but still impactful role.

Source on TMDB