Introduction to Chinese Movie: 抓娃娃 (Successor)

抓娃娃 (Successor) is a Chinese comedy-drama directed by Yan Fei and Peng Damo, starring renowned actors Shen Teng and Ma Li. Released on July 16, 2024, the film focuses on a wealthy couple, Ma Chenggang and Chunlan, who devise an unconventional parenting strategy for their son, Ma Jiye. To ensure he becomes a responsible heir, they hide their wealth and raise him in poverty to instill perseverance and life skills.

The film explores themes of parenting, the burden of expectations, and the consequences of controlling one’s child in extreme ways. With a runtime of 133 minutes, 抓娃娃 delivers both humor and reflective moments, contrasting comedy with more serious societal themes.

Plot Summary

The story is set in Xihong City, a fictional place familiar to fans of Shen Teng and Ma Li’s previous collaborations like Hello Mr. Billionaire. Shen Teng plays Ma Chenggang, a billionaire who, after seeing his eldest son “ruined” by a life of luxury, is determined to raise his second son, Ma Jiye (played by Shi Pengyuan), with strong moral values and practical life skills. Alongside his second wife Chunlan (Ma Li), they decide to hide their vast fortune from their son and move into a decrepit old courtyard where they pretend to be poor.

The couple goes to great lengths to convince their son of their financial hardship, orchestrating a façade of poverty in the hope that their son will grow up resilient and hardworking. They even assemble a team of actors, including a “fake grandma” (Sarina), to help craft this illusion. The entire environment is controlled to the extent that Ma Jiye grows up in a “Truman Show”-esque world, oblivious to the reality of his parents’ immense wealth.

However, as Ma Jiye matures, the pressure of this constructed life takes a toll on both him and his parents. The moral dilemma of manipulating their son’s life for the sake of their ideals becomes increasingly clear. The film explores whether such extreme measures can truly foster the qualities of perseverance and humility or if they instead destroy a child’s individuality and freedom.

Characters

1. Ma Chenggang (Shen Teng)
   Ma Chenggang is the main protagonist and a wealthy businessman in Xihong City. After witnessing the moral decay of his eldest son, he devises a plan to “reverse educate” his second son by pretending to be poor. Chenggang is humorous and charismatic, but his actions raise deep questions about his methods and their impact on his family.
2. Chunlan (Ma Li)
   Chunlan, the second wife of Ma Chenggang, fully supports her husband’s plan to raise their son in poverty. Although she is dedicated to the cause, she struggles with the morality of their decisions as she witnesses their son’s emotional growth and the toll their lies take on him.
3. Ma Jiye (Shi Pengyuan)
   Ma Jiye is the unsuspecting son who grows up believing his family is poor. His every move is monitored by his parents and a carefully constructed team, leading to moments of frustration and rebellion as he begins to sense that his life may not be what it seems.
4. Li Chunhua (Sarina)
   Li Chunhua is the “fake grandma” hired by Ma Chenggang and Chunlan to maintain the façade of poverty. She is a member of the team that monitors and guides Ma Jiye’s upbringing, but a misstep on her part threatens to expose the family’s secret.
5. Zhang Feifei (Li Jiaqi)
   Zhang Feifei plays a supporting role in Ma Jiye’s life, contributing to the narrative that shapes his worldview, while others like Jia Bing and Wei Xiang add layers of complexity to the character dynamics in this highly controlled environment.

Themes and Social Commentary

While 抓娃娃 is positioned as a comedy, its underlying themes are much more serious. The film touches on the ideas of parental control, class disparity, and the dangers of overbearing education. By placing Ma Jiye in a meticulously curated environment designed to simulate hardship, the film critiques the extreme lengths some parents go to in order to ensure their children’s success.

The title 抓娃娃 (Claw Machine) serves as a metaphor for the way the parents treat their son’s upbringing, akin to a claw machine: carefully manipulating and controlling every aspect of his life in an attempt to “win” the perfect child. This echoes broader societal concerns in China about “tiger parenting”, where parents push their children to succeed, sometimes at the expense of the child’s individuality and well-being.

The film raises questions about whether such methods are truly beneficial or if they instead damage the child’s development. This narrative resonates with many in China, where the pressure to succeed is immense, and parental involvement in education is often overwhelming.

Critical Reception and Box Office Success

By September 13, 2024, 抓娃娃 had grossed an impressive 33.01 billion RMB at the Chinese box office, making it one of the top-grossing films of the year. Its appeal lies not only in the performances of Shen Teng and Ma Li—two of China’s most beloved comedic actors—but also in its blend of humor with more thoughtful commentary on education and family dynamics.

Critics have praised the film for balancing lighthearted comedy with serious moral questions. Yicai Media commented that the film successfully entertained audiences while making them reflect on the consequences of manipulative parenting. The Paper noted the emotional depth of Ma Jiye’s journey, particularly his realization that his entire life has been a carefully constructed lie, which brought a chilling edge to the otherwise comedic film.

While most audience members came to the theater expecting a comedy, they left with much more to think about. The Financial Review remarked that the film’s exploration of “educational manipulation” forces viewers to consider the ethical implications of parenting decisions made “in the name of love.” This subtle shift from comedy to a serious critique of societal norms left many viewers deeply moved, with some even calling it a “harrowing experience hidden beneath layers of laughter.”

However, the film was not without its criticisms. Southern People Weekly raised concerns about the portrayal of the rich and poor, suggesting that the film’s binary presentation of wealth and poverty was somewhat reductive. There were also debates about whether the film adequately addressed the moral complexities it raised, or if it simplified them for comedic effect.

Conclusion: A New Standard for Chinese Comedy?

抓娃娃 stands out not only for its star-studded cast and comedic moments but also for its deeper exploration of parenting and moral responsibility. Through the character of Ma Jiye, the film presents an unsettling commentary on modern parenting in China, where the pressure to raise successful children often leads to extreme measures.

Its blend of humor, heartfelt performances, and social criticism ensures that 抓娃娃 is more than just another comedy. It is a thought-provoking film that resonates with a wide audience, encouraging viewers to reconsider what it means to raise children in a world obsessed with success and control. As one of the highest-grossing films of 2024, 抓娃娃 has already cemented its place in Chinese cinema and sparked important discussions about the intersection of wealth, education, and family life.