Minari
The brief
Lee Isaac Chung's gentle family drama unfolds like a quiet memory, following Steven Yeun's determined father as he tries to grow Korean vegetables on stubborn Arkansas soil. The film moves at the pace of seasons changing, finding profound moments in mundane struggles while Youn Yuh-jung steals scenes as the chain-smoking grandmother who refuses to fit anyone's expectations. It's intensely personal without being precious, capturing the specific ache of chasing dreams that might be too big for the life you can actually build. Perfect for anyone who loved The Farewell or Eighth Grade, this hits hardest if you've ever felt caught between two worlds or watched your parents sacrifice everything for a vision of home.
The verdict
If you appreciate slow-burning family dramas that find beauty in quiet, everyday moments and don't mind subtitles, this is a deeply moving portrait of immigrant dreams and generational tension. If you need faster pacing or big dramatic moments to stay engaged, the gentle, contemplative rhythm might feel too slow despite the stellar performances.
Watch with
- 👨👩👧👦 Perfect for multigenerational family viewing
- 👤 Solo watch for deeper emotional connection
- ⚠️ May be too slow-paced for young kids
Heads up
- Medical emergency involving elderly character (moderate)
- Marital tension and arguments (brief)
- Child in brief danger near water (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Lee Isaac Chung
- Cast
- Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Darryl Cox
Official synopsis
A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Crows Are White (2026)
Both explore cultural identity and belonging through intimate family perspectives.
Total runtime: 1h 55m + 1h 38m = 3h 33m
