This 98%-Rated Drama With 6 Oscar Nods Is Still One of the Most Heartfelt Immigrant Stories Ever Told

Six years ago, Minari premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, instantly captivating critics and viewers alike – it earned six Oscar nominations and won one.

Minari, a semi-autobiographical drama directed by Lee Isaac Chung, tells the story of a family of South Korean immigrants. It's a sensitive, warm, and incredibly human story about family ties, hope, and finding one's place in the world.

What Is 'Minari' About?

The story takes place in the 1980s. The Yi family moves from California to rural Arkansas, where Jacob buys a small farm. He dreams of growing traditional Korean produce and selling it at the local market.

However, his wife, Monica, is frustrated by their new life in a dilapidated trailer. In an attempt to cheer her up, Jacob arranges for his mother-in-law to fly from Korea to babysit their kids, their eldest daughter Anne and their 7-year-old son David, who has heart problems.

David is infuriated by his grandmother's arrival because she is not a typical American grandmother – she can't bake cookies, smells like Korea, and teaches him card games and old Korean superstitions.

The Main Star of 'Minari' Is the Young but Brilliant Actor Alan Kim

Minari would hardly have been a hit at Sundance without 7-year-old Alan Kim, who plays young David. Although this was his feature debut, he plays the role with the insight of a seasoned actor.

His portrayal of his relationship with his grandmother and estranged parents makes Minari a truly treasured family film. It's no surprise that Kim, along with the other cast members, was nominated for several prestigious awards, including BAFTA and Critics' Choice Awards.

Youn Yuh-jung, who played the grandmother, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first Korean actress to win this award.

The chemistry between Kim and Yuh-jung is at the heart of the movie. Through the relationship between David and Soon-ja, we see how two generations, separated by culture and language, find common ground and overcome misunderstandings.

'Minari' Offers an Honest Portrayal of the Immigrant Experience

The title of the movie refers to an extremely hardy East Asian herb that can grow almost anywhere – a perfect metaphor for the Yi family trying to put down roots in a foreign land.

Minari is a story not only about the challenges of immigration but also about family, dreams, and love – it depicts the American Dream without gloss: it's about hard work, disappointments, and small victories.

One of A24's strengths is its sensitive portrayal of the immigrant experience through films directed by passionate filmmakers. Minari isn't the first movie of its kind in the studio's filmography, but it is one of the most resonant ones.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Minari'?

• Minari has 98% from critics and 92% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, Minari scored 4.1/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Minari'?

Minari is available to stream on Netflix.