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Asian Persuasion

Play trailer 2:48 Poster for Asian Persuasion R Released Dec 8, 2023 1h 33m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
An underachiever comes up with an outlandish plan to avoid alimony obligations to his fashion executive former wife.

Critics Reviews

View All (4) Critics Reviews
Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) Probably should've been a little bit more subtle... But cute? Yes, ridiculously cute. Mar 28, 2025 Full Review Martin Carr martincarr.co.uk Asian Persuasion works best putting universal themes at the centre of the story. It helps that the ensemble is charismatic and committed to the material, but giving this story an emotional core that connects with audiences, makes it something special. Apr 2, 2025 Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix Asian Persuasion has some outdated dialogue and utter predictability, but this romantic comedy gets by on earnest charm. It's a story about an ex-husband who plays marital matchmaker for his ex-wife so his alimony payments can end. Mar 31, 2025 Full Review Bradley Gibson Film Threat If you’ll forgive the silly first and second acts and dig into the main dish of Asian Persuasion, your patience will be rewarded. Rated: 7/10 Mar 21, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (32) audience reviews
Seng Go watch it! Sort of cheesy but there is a theme and a good one at that. Worth watching it! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/28/25 Full Review Brad P Excellent film. Very likeable characters. Parts funny and other parts touching. Enjoyed it! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/26/25 Full Review Rancisco B Great story! In a time after the actors and writers strike, I most movies didnt have a great story. I was glad this was entertaining and worth a watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/26/25 Full Review Marvin Great movie. Filipino community representation at its best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review GREGORY Excellent storyline and cast ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Lauren H In Asian Persuasion, directed by Jhett Tolentino, a desperate ex-husband hatches a wildly misguided plan: find a new husband for his successful ex-wife so he can stop paying alimony. The premise alone hints at the film’s tone — raunchy, chaotic, and willing to push the boundaries of rom-com absurdity. For the most part, Asian Persuasion captures this energy, blending crude humour with heartfelt moments in a story about love, regret, and the immigrant experience. But while the film has its moments, its uneven execution makes it difficult to fully embrace it. Mickey de los Santos (Dante Basco), a struggling Queens-based Filipino coffee shop owner, is drowning in financial stress. His alimony payments to his ex-wife, Avery Chua (KC Concepcion), a thriving fashion executive, weigh heavily on him, even as he remains a devoted father to their daughter, Sam (Scarlett Sherr). One night, after getting high with his best friend Caspian Jang (Kevin Kreider), Mickey creates a dating profile for Avery, only to wake up to a flood of matches. What starts as an impulsive, half-baked joke quickly spirals into something more as Caspian encourages Mickey to take advantage of the situation. If Avery remarries, Mickey’s financial burdens disappear. And just like that, they embark on a questionable matchmaking mission, whether Avery wants one or not. This setup lends itself to wild antics, and Asian Persuasion leans into them hard. From Mickey’s misguided matchmaking attempts to absurd disguises and mishaps (an artificial leg landing on a Korean BBQ grill is one for the books), gags that range from amusing to downright cringeworthy overwhelm the film. The humour often renders crude — sometimes deliberately so, other times unnecessarily forced, like a scene where Sam asks her grandmother about a ‘hand job.’ Despite its uneven comedic execution, the film has an undeniable charm. Lee K. (Paolo Montalban), as a socially awkward financial analyst who unknowingly becomes a pawn in Mickey’s plan, best embodies the film. Montalban offers a standout performance, his comedic timing — particularly his physical humour — bringing a surprising depth to what could have been a one-note character. His growing relationship with Avery offers some of the film’s best romantic beats, with moments that feel genuinely sweet rather than manufactured for laughs. This is where Asian Persuasion truly works — when it softens its edges and allows for introspection. Subtle cultural commentary threads through Asian Persuasion, from the struggles of Asian designers fighting against perceptions of cheap labour to Caspian’s internalized bias against dating Asian women. The film also authentically portrays first and second-generation immigrant experiences, specifically the weight of expectations, the fear of failure, and the struggle between personal ambition and familial duty. Mickey’s reluctance to pursue his culinary dreams, shaped by the pressure of his parents’ expectations even from afar, affords the film one of its most sincere confessions. A warm colour palette enhances this emotional undercurrent, casting New York in soft, inviting hues, highlighting its characters’ vibrancy and isolation. Long shots of the park, quiet moments in the city, and the contrast between bustling streets and intimate spaces give the film a lived-in feel, making its more reflective moments feel natural rather than staged. It helps that Asian Persuasion has a small, close-knit cast as their interactions feel effortless. That same warmth carries through the film’s instrumental score, which complements its visuals and reinforces its gentler side. When the music is at its most delicate, so is the film. More than anything, Asian Persuasion thrives when it isn’t trying so hard. Its best moments come from the cast’s natural chemistry, tender glimpses of love, and thoughtful cultural observations. But its reliance on crude humour and over-the-top gags dulls what could have been a more compelling story of love, regret, and self-discovery. The film certainly has heart but doesn’t always know how best to showcase it. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Asian Persuasion

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Movie Info

Synopsis An underachiever comes up with an outlandish plan to avoid alimony obligations to his fashion executive former wife.
Director
Jhett Tolentino
Producer
Mike Ang, Jhett Tolentino
Screenwriter
Mike Ang
Distributor
Jhett Tolentino Productions
Production Co
Jhett Tolentino Productions, Planet X Studios
Rating
R (Drug Use|Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 8, 2023, Limited
Runtime
1h 33m