Papa Reivew

The unconditional love of our parents is a true blessing. I have often been told that my mother will always love me as long as I never steal or lie. While other factors may test that love, it is generally believed to be universal. But what if you were a parent and one of your children brutally murdered someone? Inspired by the 2010 Heung Wo Street Murder, Papa is an utterly devastating film about loss, grief, and coming to with the actions of our loved ones.

The film opens with Nin Yeun (Sean Lau) as he prepares to open his restaurant. As he works, he gazes up at the apartments above. A camera shutter clicks, and we flash back to the night his son, Ming (Dylan So), killed his mother, Yin (Jo Koo), and sister, Yan (Lainey Hung), with a butcher’s knife. A cat walks through the blood-soaked floor where their bodies once lay—a haunting image of what transpired. Diagnosed with acute schizophrenia, Ming is sentenced to an indefinite stay at a psychiatric prison until he is deemed safe to return to society. Meanwhile, Nin must grapple with the unbearable loss of his family and the horrifying actions of his son.

Told in a non-linear structure, the film constantly shifts between past and present events. This narrative choice is one of the most contentious aspects for me, as I often struggled to distinguish between the two timelines. While there are clear indicators—such as the wife being alive—certain scenes blend together in a way that left me momentarily confused, unsure whether I was watching the past or the present. For instance, during the Mother’s Day dinner scene, I initially believed it to be a flashback, only to realize it was set in the present. However, as the film progresses into its second half, you gradually adjust to its rhythm, making the transitions easier to follow and allowing the emotional moments to land with their full, devastating impact.

The opening of Papa is striking—the blood-soaked floor is utterly horrific, immediately raising questions about what transpired. Though the film takes its time revealing the events of that fateful night, its presence looms over Nin. The taped-up sofa hiding the slash marks, the empty bed he once shared with his wife, and the now-vacant children’s bedroom all serve as haunting reminders of his loss. Loneliness permeates the apartment, and when Nin turns to a call service for even the slightest sense of human connection, it turns out to be a scam—breaking him even further.

Moreover, the film truly excels in its subtle storytelling. Small lines of dialogue take on much deeper, more agonizing meanings. Conversations about how Nin and Yin manage their 24/7 restaurant become symbols of grief, and once-loving stares between partners transform into hopeless reflections of the past. Sean Lau delivers a once-in-a-lifetime performance as Nin, capturing his sorrow with an utterly raw and heartbreaking portrayal.

Understanding Ming’s actions is a daunting task. The film could have easily fallen into the harmful trope of suggesting that individuals with mental illness are more likely to commit acts of violence. Fortunately, it avoids this pitfall by never explicitly explaining why Ming did what he did. Various possibilities are presented—voices in his head, the melting icebergs—but Ming himself never offers a definitive reason. This ambiguity ultimately strengthens the narrative. As the film progresses, Nin gradually stops searching for answers. Instead, he shifts his focus to reconnecting with his son, ensuring his rehabilitation, and holding onto the hope that they can be a family once more.

Throughout Papa, we feel trapped within the grief and suffering due to the 4:3 aspect ratio. Nin, being alone in his apartment only feels more claustrophobic due to the cramped nature of the frame. Every frame is just utterly gorgeous and cinematographer Chin Ting Chang, along with director Philip Yung, create a film that is nothing short of a treat to the eyes.

Papa is an utterly gut-wrenching and powerful movie. While the non-linear storytelling did greatly affect my enjoyment for the first hour. Once I got used to the rhythm of the film I was on board and was truly moved. Featuring incredible performances, Papa is a truly emotional journey.