Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature themes, grief, drinking in emotional dramedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Worth the Wait
What's the Story?
In WORTH THE WAIT, rising Malaysian businessman Kai (Ross Butler) meets doctor Leah (Lana Condor) after he accompanies a family he encountered during a ride-share into the hospital for the birth of their baby. The couple—Nathan (Osric Chau) and Teresa (Karena Kar-Yan Lam)—lose their baby, sending them into a grief spiral. Teresa only begins to emerge from the darkness after meeting actress Amanda (Elodie Yung) on a jog. Amanda, meanwhile, is dealing with her own emotions when her ex-fiancé, Scott (Andrew Koji), signs on to direct her new film. Leah and Kai fall in love but have to grapple with the distance after he returns to work in Kuala Lumpur. Leah's little brother, Blake (Ricky He), is dealing with his own problems, when girlfriend Riley (Ali Fumiko Whitney) finally introduces him to her custodian, Uncle Curtis (Sung Kang). Curtis doesn't think Blake is good enough for Riley, who has a bright future ahead of her after high school graduation.
Is It Any Good?
This film doesn't break a lot of new ground in the romance genre, but it's likable and well-paced, and the entirely Asian-heritage lead cast should draw audiences as well. The characters in Worth the Wait represent couplehood at different phases of life. The film packs some surprisingly emotional scenes revolving around a couple who have lost their baby in childbirth. All of the actors are well-cast, and their interactions ring mostly authentic—a testimony to the writing, directing, and acting—even if some of the stories and characters are given shorter shrift than others. But the film works as a whole, and for audiences eager to see more Asian and Asian American/Canadian actors on screen, this one will have been worth the wait.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters and storylines in Worth the Wait intertwine. Did the overlaps feel natural? Why, or why not?
The cast is mostly Asian, Asian American, and Asian Canadian. What other films have you watched with a largely Asian-heritage cast?
What genre is this film? Explain.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 23, 2025
- Cast : Lana Condor , Ross Butler , Andrew Koji
- Director : Tom Lin
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Tubi
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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