One of the most recent Netflix series, The Brothers Sun, is a contender for the best-underwatched show of 2024. It might be too early to say whether or not this gets the viewership it deserves, but I don’t think the new action dramedy will be drawing in as many viewers, due to the insane award show season. Many people, including myself, are preparing for the Emmys or the Oscars. For me, preparing for the Emmys looks like trying to watch every single thing nominated for the ceremony. But, I will assure you, if you are in between seasons of the Max hit Succession or the Hulu sensation The Bear, The Brothers Sun is the perfect binge to lighten the mood.
An instant grab for many fans who are scrolling on Netflix is Michelle Yeoh, who has always been around, in terms of action films. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was watching her play some of my favorite characters in Kung Fu Panda, but little did I know that in the years to come, I would be obsessing over her work in a brand new way and on a brand new level. I’ve noticed an increase in her popularity since the Oscar-grabbing film Everything Everywhere All at Once was released last year. I will say, that film made me fall in love with her work even more. It may have sparked an intense 2-week spree to rewatch all of her most well-known films. This time, in The Brother’s Sun, Yeoh plays a seemingly innocent mom, but, she turns out to be the matriarchy of a notorious gang known as The Jade Dragons.
The Brother’s Sun follows Bruce Sun (played by Sam Song Li), who is an average college student living in California with his mom (played by Michelle Yeoh). One day, when his long-lost brother (played by Justin Chien) visits Los Angeles from Taipei after their father (played by Johnny Kou), and the head of The Jade Dragons are put into a coma, Bruce finds out how dangerous and uncollected his family roots really are.
Sam Song Li’s performance as Bruce was unarguably a stand-out among the cast. This could be because we spent the most time with Bruce, but it’s most likely because Sam Song Li had an amazing time fitting into his role as Bruce. The best thing about Sam Song Li’s character is the absurd and just outright funny sense of humor he has. Most of this does come from the screenwriters, as they successfully wrote a screenplay that is serious at times it needs to be, and funny in times that feel as if the solemnity is becoming just a little stale. Right from the beginning, the writers and the directors worked on the comedic elements so pleasantly, which profitably made my time with these characters so much more enjoyable.
Directors: Kevin Tancharoen (5 Episodes), Viet Nguyen (3 Episodes)
Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Joon Lee, Highdee Kuan, Alice Hewkin, Jenny Yang, Madison Hu, Rodney To, Johnny Kou, Jon Xue Zhang, Zhan Wang
Airdate: 1/4/24 (All 8 Episodes)
The Brother’s Sun is a series that stands out for its excellently choreographed action sequences. These sequences are a testament to the skill and creativity of the directors, as they manage to strike the perfect balance between realism and humor. The action scenes don’t feel too fake, yet they manage to inject a sense of liveliness and humor that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Moreover, the camera work within these certain scenes also enhances the watchability of the action. The directors have used different techniques to capture the action from different angles, which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Even viewers who aren’t usually fans of action movies will find these scenes enjoyable to watch.
All of this leads back to the screenplay, which is undoubtedly phenomenal. The screenwriters have crafted a script that not only tells an engaging story but also provides a solid foundation for the action scenes. The script provides the actors with enough material to work with, allowing them to bring their characters to life in a believable way.
Who doesn’t love getting comfortable on the couch and binge-watching an entertaining series, everyone does. That is why The Brother’s Sun is a standout among the already-released Netflix series. The cast, writers, and directors put together a phenomenal action dramedy that is just as binge-able as a freshly baked tray of Charles’ pineapple cakes.
Wyatt’s Takes 