Netflix’s newest crime drama series “The Brothers Sun” starring Michelle Yeoh premiered on January 1st, 2023 to mixed critical reviews. The 8-episode first season follows a Chinese-American crime family in San Francisco led by ruthless matriarch Mama Sun (Yeoh) as she guides her three very different sons in running the family business.
Summary and background
“The Brothers Sun” comes from co-showrunners Justin Chien and Christina M. Kim, who aimed to put an comedic spin on the typical crime family drama while exploring themes of family, loyalty, and identity. The series has drawn comparisons to classics like “The Sopranos” but with more action and humor.
Yeoh leads a mostly Asian ensemble cast as the fierce but nurturing Mama Sun, who inherited control of the family’s criminal empire after her husband’s death. Her three sons each bring distinct skills and personalities that both strengthen and threaten the delicate family dynamic. Eldest son Bruce (Sam Song Li) is being groomed to take over the business but struggles with self-doubt. Hot-headed middle child Brandon (Ron Yuan) serves as the family’s enforcer. And youngest son Alex (Andrew Koji), who distanced himself from the life of crime, gets pulled back in to question his role and responsibility to the family.
| Character | Description | Actor |
|---|---|---|
| Mama Sun | Ruthless but nurturing matriarch | Michelle Yeoh |
| Bruce Sun | Eldest son and heir apparent | Sam Song Li |
| Brandon Sun | Hot-headed middle son and enforcer | Ron Yuan |
| Alex Sun | Youngest son who left the life of crime | Andrew Koji |
The show blends drama, action, and humor while exploring complex family dynamics and cultural themes rarely seen on American television. Early reviews indicate strengths in the performances, cultural representation, and potential for future seasons but some weaknesses around uneven writing quality.
Early critical reception and analysis
Reviews from top entertainment outlets presented below indicate the series garnering praise for its cultural significance but receiving mixed marks for execution:
Mostly positive:
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IGN – 8/10 score. Calls it “an engaging and heartfelt crime saga” buoyed by strong performances. Says Michelle Yeoh is “commanding” and chemistry of ensemble cast will have viewers invested in the family’s future.
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Variety – Appreciates ambition and cultural weight of the series, saying it “makes a strong case for more Asian-led stories on the small screen.” Calls the action and humor a bit uneven but strengths of cast and representation help compensate.
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The Hollywood Reporter – Says the series starts slow but becomes “surprisingly effective” by leaning into the family drama rather than typical tropes. Calls Yeoh’s performance “nuanced” and chemistry with her on-screen sons “appealing.”
More critical takes:
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Observer – Calls writing “wonky” and says attempts to balance multiple tones keeps the show from finding its footing. Appreciates cultural weight but wanted more nuance from veteran actors.
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Mashable – Says series “never quite lives up to its initial promise.” Calls action sequences “top-notch” but wanted writing and pacing to better highlight talented cast.
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AV Club – Gives it a “C+” and says show too often feels torn between gritty drama and light action-comedy. Says Yeoh performance strong but writing limits depth of show’s exploration of family and cultural themes.
So while the series earns praise for cultural representation and performances, reviews indicate uneven execution in writing and tone that keeps it from being a slam dunk. But the underlying concept still shows promise.
What happens next for “The Brothers Sun”?
Despite mixed reviews, data will ultimately drive Netflix’s decisions about the show’s future. Early viewer numbers and social media buzz will be monitored to gauge audience response and demand for another season.
Sources say the creators mapped out stories and character arcs that span multiple seasons, so they’ll likely pitch ways to refine and improve the show to Netflix executives. Given the star power of Yeoh and the push for representation, there appears desire from various stakeholders for “The Brothers Sun” to have time to find itself creatively.
But the show ultimately needs to connect with audiences. If viewership fails to materialize, Netflix could pull the plug on additional seasons. The company has shown a willingness to cut short even big-budget series in response to data.
We’ll gain more clarity on the show’s future prospects over the coming weeks and months as concrete viewer metrics emerge. But for now, the door appears open for the Sun family saga to continue – if the creators can optimize the show’s creative execution to match the ambition of its vision moving forward.
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