Available in theaters July 7. “Joy Ride” hits like a solid punch to that white kid’s face: satisfying, but maybe not quite right. For many, this movie is just another fun summer feature to see with friends. For the AAPI community, it’s another inch gained in the enduring battle for more representation. For adoptees like me, however, it’s all that and more. The story goes like this: Audrey (Ashley Park) and Lolo (Sherry Cola) are best friends. They are both Chinese. But there’s a twist! Audrey is adopted. Fast-forward a decade, and Audrey is a polished, stressed-out overachiever chasing validation in the workplace, while Lolo swaggers through life as a broke artist revolutionizing the sculpture world one penis or vulva at a time. Oddly enough, the duo work perfectly as they are. Of course, that’s when everything changes, and what follows is almost too insane to put in words. Stephanie Hsu shines in the role of Kat, delivering a performance as devastating as her Oscar-nominated turn in “Everything, Everywhere All at Once” (2022)—only this time, the reason I couldn’t breathe was because I was laughing too hard. As enjoyable as the drug-infused, sex-crazed, tattooed shenanigans were, I found I was more moved by the quieter moments—the moments where, as an adoptee, I could recognize parts of myself on that screen. Ashley Park was fantastic in those anchoring beats, inviting the audience into the closely-guarded insecurity of Audrey with each flicker in her expression. I understood the dissonance in dealing with culture shock when entering your own birth country, the way she automatically gravitated towards white people instead of Asians. I flinched with her when Ronny Chieng implied she was incomplete without a family history to call her own. How are you supposed to know who you are without knowing where you came from? Identity is a lynchpin in so many AAPI films. Heritage, home, ancestors…these are the things an adoptee grows up without. This is the first movie I’ve seen that has allowed a character to react to a statement like that in a way that I truly understand. When Audrey found a piece of her past—the awkward convenience of Daniel Dae Kim being exactly where he was that day aside—I cried with her as she was introduced to the human behind the myth of Mother. I’m so glad I got to see those moments. With that said, here’s the reason why I’ll say that “Joy Ride” is not quite there for me. For a story centered on an adoptee, there seems to be little input, to my knowledge, from adoptees themselves in this creative process. There’s something fundamentally missing from this story, and it feels like what’s missing is an adoptee’s voice. There were plot and character things that stood out in a painfully awkward way, and I asked myself, “How did this get in here? Where were we in the writer’s room?” I don’t want to label “Joy Ride” as either a success or failure, because it’s not. It can be both, and still make sense as something to invest in and keep investing in. There are so many wins for the AAPI community in this movie that I can’t help but cheer it on and recommend it to everyone I meet. There’s sex positivity, diversity, queerness, comedy, family, and a heartfelt friendship to celebrate. But I want to be able to start a critical conversation parallel to the well-deserved praise, where we adoptees can feel like our voices are heard in the discussion of our representation. It’s past time to let adoptees have a hand in telling their own stories. So, almost. And I can’t wait to see what comes next. Cover photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate

Studio ATAO is raising funds for their first food education program “Food Systems 101: An Introduction to the Politics of Food & Beverage.” It was created specifically for food systems workers, and examines the evolution of the U.S. food system through a political lens—with a focus on social justice and BIPOC contributions. To donate to the campaign, click here. For more information about the program: Read more about Studio ATAO here.

Tonight is the last chance to catch English actress Jessica Henwick in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022) in select theaters! Known for her roles as Nymeria Sand in “Game of Thrones,” Jessika Pava in “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015), and Colleen Wing in the MCU, Jessica Henwick was the first East Asian actress to lead a British television series—“Spirit Warriors,” with Benedict Wong. She can also be seen as Bugs in “The Matrix Resurrections” (2021) alongside Keanu Reeves and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Henwick is a budding filmmaker, having produced her first short “Bus Girl” (2022) this June. A follow-up short, “Sandwich Man,” is currently in post-production. About “Glass Onion”: Jessica Henwick plays a pleasantly understated Peg in Rian Johnson’s latest whodunit. Peg is Birdie’s (Kate Hudson) harried assistant/publicist/do-er of all things that need to be done. “Peg is at the end of her tether,” says Henwick. “She has been working for Birdie for quite some time. In my head, it’s been like 10 years. Every year she says, ‘This is the last year,’ but she just can’t seem to get herself out of that. They have this almost familial relationship at this stage. They love each other and hate each other. And poor Peg, I think she understands Birdie better than everyone and Birdie really drops her guard around her. And so Peg sees that Birdie does have a good heart and does try to help her to the best of her ability. But it’s just so tough because Birdie does not make it easy to help her.” Set on a private Greek island, “Glass Onion” is a sunny departure from the indulgent coziness of gothic New England mansions and cream-colored knit sweaters. Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) returns with another cast of colorful characters, each with a motive for murder. Bringing his signature wit, Southern drawl, and penchant for theatrics, he must find the culprit before the death toll outdoes him, all the while looking fabulous in tailored leisure wear. “I think [Peg’s] also probably the most ‘normal,’” Henwick adds. “This is a group of people who can say ridiculous things like, ‘Well, I was on my yacht last week,’ and Peg is the only one who knows well enough to roll her eyes at the casualness of that statement.” Without spoiling anything, I can say that “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is just as entertaining as its predecessor. This massively talented cast features Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, with Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. See “Glass Onion” in select theaters November 23–29, and globally on Netflix on December 23. All quotes and images courtesy of Netflix

Tara Footner Founder Tara, aka Om Sun Hui (OSH), is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Kath Pacao Administrative Specialist Kath was born in Manila and currently lives in Tokyo. Read More Cynthia Landesburg Contributor Cynthia is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Heath Hyun Houghton Contributor Heath is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Lauren Burke Contributor Lauren is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Samantha Der Contributor Samantha is a #hyphenatedAsian. Read More Ella Wu Managing Editor Ella is a Chinese adoptee. Read More A.D. Herzel Contributor A.D. is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Erika Fisher Contributor Erika is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Heather Lewis Contributor Heather is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Lauren Kofalt Contributor Lauren is a Chinese adoptee. Read More Stephanie Fung Contributor Stephanie is a #hyphenatedAsian. Read More Jon Oaks Web Specialist Jon is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Ana Suli Clancey Contributor Ana is a Chinese adoptee. Read More Haiku Kwon Contributor Laura is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Kara Bos Contributor Kara is a Korean adoptee (KAD). Read More Lilly Schmaltz Contributor Lilly is a Chinese adoptee. Read More

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< Back Ella Wu Managing Editor She was born in China and grew up on the U.S. East Coast. She is an actress, writer, and filmmaker, finding inspiration in the world around her. She has a passion for storytelling, particularly stories that highlight any of the endless facets of the Asian/Asian-American experience. She is currently based in Washington, D.C., but has made it a goal to travel to every corner of the world.