Movie: Abang Adik

I'm a little bit late but still, I want to review this movie! Although the movie is all in Mandarin, this show is definitely not just a typical Malaysian Chinese movie, it's a MALAYSIAN movie! Prepare tissues as it's a very tear-jerking movie (well, at least to me)!

Abang Adik is an award-winning Malaysian film that grabbed global attention since its initial release on 19 March 2023 and premiered in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia since December 2023. Abang Adik stayed at the top of Taiwan’s box office, earning NTD15 million (almost RM2.2 million) in just three days.

Abang Adik centers around two undocumented men living in Kuala Lumpur. Although they were born in Malaysia, they don’t have proper paperwork to prove their citizenship which makes things difficult for them to get decent jobs.

Abang (acted by Taiwanese actor, Wu Kang-ren) is a deaf-mute who works at a wet market, trying to lead an honest life to provide for himself and for Adik (Malaysian actor Jack Tan). The two of them pass the days in the flat they share while staying hidden from immigration officers who often patrol the area. When a social worker begins a fight for their immigration status, things start to look up for the brothers. But, an event occurs that changes their lives forever.

Despite having made history as Malaysia's first movie to break a record at Taiwan's box office with a collection of more than RM13.5 million, its director Jin Ong says there's no intention of making a sequel to 'Abang Adik.'

Here's the link to the movie trailer for those who want to know more about the show.

Overall, I rate this movie 4.5/5 because it depicts the reality & struggle issues of statelessness in Malaysia. The hardships of people without identity, the constant fear and uncertainty they live in. Really hope there will be a solution to stateless issues in Malaysia.