Ape

Tortured by past trauma, Jonathan “JJ” Ming is haunted by visions of a dark basement where brutal violence unfolds — forearms crushing arteries, blood on teeth, skin striking skin. Amidst the chaos, one image lingers: the slanted eyes of Asian boys, staring back at him. His older brother Tommy leads him through a night of hostile encounters with drunk white men. Tommy — sharp, witty, and brutish — retaliates with violence, while JJ remains paralyzed. By dawn, JJ must confront his past or risk being buried in Tommy’s violent cult, trapped in a cycle of retribution.

Directed by Benjamin Ting, Millicent Cho, Ape leans on a strong ensemble — Benjamin Ting, Daniel Klimek, Romo Lee — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 0.