Less than a year after winning an Oscar, Michelle Yeoh is once again captivating audiences with her performance in Netflix’s “The Brothers Sun.” In this eight-part series, Yeoh plays Eileen “Mama” Sun, a mother entangled in a family of gangsters.
The story revolves around brothers Bruce and Charles Sun, portrayed by Sam Song Li and Justin Chien, as they navigate their roles in a triad family. When their father, known as Big Sun and played by Johnny Kou, becomes the target of an assassination attempt, Charles travels from Taipei to Los Angeles to protect his loved ones from their enemies.
Yeoh’s portrayal of Mama Sun draws parallels to her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” where she portrayed an immigrant mother trying to hold her fractured family together. Viewers find it difficult to look away as the show seamlessly transitions from energetic martial arts sequences to exploring the complexities of Asian American family life.
“The Brothers Sun” is now Netflix’s third most popular series and holds an impressive 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans are demanding recognition for Yeoh’s outstanding performance, with one Twitter user going as far as saying, “Give Mother Yeoh her Emmy!”
Critics also highlight Yeoh’s exceptional acting, acknowledging that her presence brought life to the show. As one reviewer from The Guardian expressed, “If anyone can hold a show like this together, it is Yeoh.” Her ability to effortlessly shift between impatience and cool menace makes Mama Sun a formidable character.
The cancellation of “American Born Chinese” on Disney+, in which Yeoh starred alongside her “Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-star Ke Huy Quan, makes “The Brothers Sun” even more significant. Yeoh continues to make a mark in the industry, showcasing her talent and versatility.
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