"How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies"

By Winston Chu Nov. 13, 2024

While scrolling through TikTok a few weeks ago, I was immediately captivated by a movie trailer on my feed, boasting the flashy title “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.” After I decided to watch the film, I learned that beneath its shocking title lies heartfelt commentary on human nature, family and time.

Set in the lush greenery of Thailand, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” explores the dynamics of a typical three-generation family. Although the film is spoken in Thai and subbed in English, the well-developed characters and simple premise make it easy to understand. The story follows M, a young adult who coasts through life—doom scrolling by day and live streaming video games by night—while his mom works tirelessly to cover for his expenses. Grandma resides alone in her small house, living a seemingly repetitive existence by performing the same daily tasks, such as cooking fish and watering her plants.

Their simple routines are shattered by devastating news: Grandma has developed stage four colon cancer. However, M sees Grandma’s death as a golden opportunity to inherit her money and quickly grow rich. Consequently, he moves in with her in order to win her favor.

As M spends more time with Grandma, his ulterior motives shift to genuine love; he realizes that the little everyday activities—helping her sell street food and walking her to the bank—are what truly count. As I watched their relationship rekindle, I was reminded of the importance of spending quality time with my loved ones.

The movie also emphasizes notions of understanding and respect between families. M uncovers Grandma’s struggles, successes and sacrifice during their time together. As they learn more about each other, the audience learns how we will never understand the complexity of each other’s lives unless we are willing to peel back the layers; everyone carries untold stories that can only be shared when we take the time to connect.

This film is more than just a heartwarming tale. It serves as a reminder for viewers to bond with those we truly value in our lives, especially when time seems to fly by. We might not make millions, but the cost of connections is priceless.

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About the Contributors

Winston Chu

staff writer

Winston Chu is a junior at Leland High. This is his second year in Journalism, and his first year as a movie columnist. He enjoys speech and debate, watching television series, and sleeping.