Starring Jerry as Himself

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1:54

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Starring Jerry as Himself

Released Nov 6

1h 15m

Documentary

Drama

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100%

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14 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Jerry, an ordinary immigrant dad, retired in Orlando, is recruited to be an undercover agent for the Chinese police. Jerry's family recreates the events on film and his three sons discover a darker truth. True crime meets spy thriller in this genre-bending docufiction hybrid about an immigrant’s search for the American dream.

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Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

This is as much a movie about memory, psychology, and trust as it is an account of an event that becomes stranger, deeper, and sadder once you get to the bottom of it.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 8, 2024

Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Chen finds a way to lure the audience into understanding a horrible phenomenon that we all know about, but can only understand through Jerry's eyes.

Jun 28, 2023

Full Review

Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

Before Thelma or The Beekeeper, the story of Jerry Hsu was documented in this fascinating film at the crossroads of memory and fiction that is a compelling reminder of how the world views both immigrants and our seniors.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 11, 2024

Full Review

Paul Emmanuel Enicola

The Asian Cut

As a cautionary tale, this docufiction brings a story to life that is as absurd as it is heartbreakingly real.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 10, 2024

Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

As quietly unassuming as its titular protagonist, this hybrid documentary unfolds in captivating fashion.

Nov 8, 2024

Full Review

Kim Hughes

Original Cin

The unusual narrative device at the heart of the film is at once clever and heartbreaking, bringing home an important story about a grimly common form of elder abuse.

Rated: B

Nov 8, 2024

Full Review

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Abbigail H

It’s beautiful and heartwarming to see what could’ve just remained a tragedy in the books become something that’ll champion spreading awareness about the elderly being targeted for phishing scams. The whole cast (although they were re-enacting the events) gave off charming and sincere performances - and I love the sort of grey area this film remains in being a doc but having the flexibility to entertain more dramatic/espionage elements due to this being through Jerry’s perspective.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

Full Review

Cole M

Incredible film that's best to go in completely blind. stop reading these reviews so you don't get any spoilers!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

Eric H

Why am I moved to tears every time I watch it?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

Frank N

Saw it after IFC last night incredible spy movie and heartfelt family drama with some funny and tragic moments.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

Caleb A

Saw this at IFC last night, such an unexpected, genre bending film. I've never seen anything like it! It starts as a doc, turns into a spy thriller and becomes something much more at the very end. Jerry gives me hope for humanity, best film of the year!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

David L

What starts off as a thriller crime film seamlessly transforms into something more sinister in itself, and really brings to mind what life is like for many in the real world. Starring Jerry as Himself is a film that brings to light how our loved ones may sometimes need help when they don't express it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

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Lawrence Chen

Director

Jerry C. Hsu

Self

Kathy Hsu

Self

Joshua Hsu

Self

Jonathan Hsu

Self

Jesse Hsu

Self

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Starring Jerry as Himself: Trailer 1

1:54

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Synopsis

Jerry, an ordinary immigrant dad, retired in Orlando, is recruited to be an undercover agent for the Chinese police. Jerry's family recreates the events on film and his three sons discover a darker truth. True crime meets spy thriller in this genre-bending docufiction hybrid about an immigrant’s search for the American dream.

Director: Lawrence Chen
Producer: Jonathan Hsu, Lawrence Chen
Screenwriter: Jerry C. Hsu, Lawrence Chen
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Forces Unseen, Hsubox Productions
Genre: Documentary, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2024
Runtime: 1h 15m

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