Dìdi

2024

Comedy / Drama

27
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 96% · 126 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 91% · 250 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.3/10 10 13491 13.5K

california sibling relationship skateboarding male friendship dysfunctional family coming of age

Plot summary

In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.

Director

Sean Wang Photo
Sean Wang

Top cast

Spike Jonze Photo
Spike Jonze as Dead Squirrel
Joan Chen Photo
Joan Chen as Chungsing Wang
Stephanie Hsu Photo
Stephanie Hsu as Kissing Tutorial Instructor
Marcia L. Chun Photo
Marcia L. Chun as Diner
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU 720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 1080p.WEB.x265
859.38 MB
1280*690
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  es  fr  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 13
1.72 GB
1920*1036
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  es  fr  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 25
862.6 MB
1280*694
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  es  fr  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 20
1.73 GB
1920*1040
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  es  fr  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 54
1.57 GB
1920*1040
English 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  es  fr  
23.976 fps
1 hr 33 min
Seeds 60

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Zzacarias 8 / 10

Growing Up

Didi nails the essence of the teenage experience, capturing that awkward, in-between phase where we desperately want to fit in but have no idea who we really are. The film beautifully portrays how, during this time, we constantly guess what others expect from us, often making decisions out of fear rather than true choice.Identity and Fitting InOne of the most memorable moments is when Chris tries to fit in with a group of older kids by asking for a cigarette, even though it's clear he's never smoked before. This scene speaks volumes about teenage insecurity. Chris assumes smoking is what's expected, so he jumps at the chance, only to be surprised when one of the older boys casually declines, saying he doesn't smoke. It's a subtle but powerful example of how, at that age, we're so afraid of being judged that we forget we actually have the freedom to choose.The Parent-Teen DynamicThe film also does an excellent job of exploring the relationship between Chris and his mother. At that age, we often push our parents away, trying to create distance to avoid embarrassment. Chris does this constantly, making excuses and trying to seem "cool" in front of his peers. What's funny and relatable is that the older kids don't care at all. In fact, they're more interested in having a genuine conversation with his mom. This contrast highlights how, as we grow older, we realize that the things we were once ashamed of like our parents' presence don't matter as much. The film cleverly uses these interactions to remind us how much we create unnecessary barriers in our youth.Hiding Your True SelfAnother standout moment is when Chris takes down his posters, an act that symbolizes the struggle of hiding your true self. At this age, we often hide our interests and passions because we're afraid they won't be "cool" or accepted. Dìdi touches on this theme in a meaningful way, showing how our fear of standing out can lead us to conceal the very things that make us unique. The film's message is clear: the things we're passionate about are what define us, and embracing them is what helps us grow into our true selves.The Comparison TrapLastly, the film captures the emotional weight of comparison during adolescence. Chris is overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy he has fewer friends, he doesn't have a girlfriend, and his family isn't like others. These are common struggles that many of us faced growing up. The film conveys how, at that age, everything feels like too much to handle, but as time passes, we begin to find ourselves and accept who we are. The director uses Chris's journey to show that while these feelings are intense, they are also temporary.Final ThoughtsWe've all been there overthinking every little decision, scared to make the wrong move, and hiding parts of ourselves to fit in. Dìdi captures that experience with humor, heart, and a refreshing dose of reality. It's a beautiful reminder that the awkwardness of growing up is what ultimately helps us discover who we truly are.
Reviewed by

Reviewed by evanston_dad 8 / 10

Funny Coming of Age Movie

I saw last year's nominated documentary short "Nai Nai and Wai Po" without realizing that "Didi" was the fictionalized autobiography of that film's creator, Sean Wang. It didn't hit home to me until I saw the character of the grandma in "Didi," who was featured in the short film and is Sean Wang's actual grandmother. So that's all very cool.

"Didi" is very funny, and hits a lot of the targets about navigating adolescence and all its terrors that most of us who've lived through it would expect it to. I saw it with my 15 and 13 year old sons, and was a bit disappointed that it didn't seem to resonate more with them than it did. But I liked it.

It's mostly about a kid who thinks he always has to be something that others want him to be before he's had a chance to figure out what he wants to be himself. It also touches on what it's like to be "othered" by your racial identity (in this case Asian) without being preachy about it or making its audience feel like it's getting homework.

Not a groundbreaking film, but a nice alternative if you're looking for something beyond the typical summer movie fare.

Grade: A-

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