Family dramas laced with the essence of crime have perennially sparked the interest of many an audience, and when the element of humor is added into the concoction, the narrative erupts with vibrancy. Netflix’s latest foray, The Brothers Sun, embodies this formula, casting the indomitable Michelle Yeoh in a pulsating crime series that artfully intertwines the frenetic pace of Hong Kong action films with the comedic undertones of Hollywood, a domain Yeoh has triumphantly conquered.
The Brothers Sun embarks on an international journey, navigating the lofty skyscrapers of Taipei and plunging into the gritty recesses of Los Angeles’ underworld. The core of the plot revolves around Charles Sun, portrayed by Justin Chien, who finds himself narrowly escaping an attempt on his life—an attack that leaves his father critically wounded. As the deputy of a renowned triad, danger shadows Charles’s every step, leading him to seek refuge in Los Angeles, alongside his mother Eileen (Michelle Yeoh) and his estranged younger brother Bruce (Sam Song Li).
Eileen, who wields a cleaver with as much ease as her trademark stoicism, adapts quickly to the turmoil ushered in by the return of her eldest son. Bruce, however, a circumspect medical student with a hidden passion for improv comedy, is thrown into a maelstrom of confusion when he’s confronted with the dismembered remnants of an assassin in his supposedly tranquil suburban household—courtesy of his long-absent brother.
Humor sprouts from the disparate worlds colliding within the Sun family. The brothers, reuniting after a fifteen-year hiatus, find themselves arguing over mundane tasks like taking out the trash, an activity that takes on a grim twist in their violent reality. Across eight adrenaline-charged episodes, The Brothers Sun unfolds a mystery as Charles endeavors to dodge the relentless assassins tracking him down, all while conscripting Bruce into the treacherous family business.
The series gleams with polished cinematography and meticulously orchestrated fight sequences that are a testament to the show’s visual ambitions. This gripping storyline skilfully dances on the tightrope between suspense and satire, entrancing viewers with a persistent question: Who is pursuing the Suns with such deadly intent?
Despite its stellar delivery, the narrative sometimes stumbles under the weight of its own backstory. The early episodes lean heavily on Bruce’s ignorance of the family’s criminal involvements, leading to dialogue heavy with exposition. The performance offered by the core cast—Yeoh, Chien, and Song Li—anchors the series, even as the script loses some of its luster in moments that stray from this central trio.
Yeoh, initially introduced as ‘Mama Sun’ in the series’ promotions, ultimately emerges as a pivotal figure, far from being sidelined into a mere maternal archetype. She smoothly transitions to the fulcrum around which the Sun family revolves, especially when Charles’s attempts to impose his will on Los Angeles are sharply countered by Eileen’s seasoned understanding of these streets.
The narrative’s external forces, particularly law enforcement, while adding layers of tension, at times feel superfluous in a storyline that thrives on the intimate, internal conflicts brewing within the Sun family. Meanwhile, Bruce’s character development could have reached greater depths had it not been for the shackles of his initial naivety.
In summary, while certain narrative choices may hinder its potential as an exemplar of entertainment, The Brothers Sun still delivers an engaging and well-paced spectacle. It can perhaps best be encapsulated by the whimsical image of a clandestine congregation of elderly women playing Mahjong, scheming to dismantle a Taiwanese crime syndicate—a saga not to be missed, all episodes of which are readily available for streaming on Netflix.
