Written and directed by Kuo-Sin Ong, Singaporean comedy-drama A Good Child is based on the true-life story of drag queen Sammi Zhen. The film follows drag queen Jia Hao (Richie Koh), who returns home to care for his ill mother (Hong Huifang). Despite some obstacles, Jia Hao is able to build bridges with his mother through his alter ego.
The film quickly establishes that there are two worlds that are aesthetically polar opposites. Jia Hao’s cabaret show is full of colour, sparkle and laughter – but it captures a life that has caused the estrangement from his conservative family, to the point that he is barely acknowledged by his parents. When he returns home after the death of his father, the colour palette is grey and dark, indicating a lifelessness that chafes against him. But when his mother accidentally encounters his alter ego, it creates a colourful breakthrough as she quickly embraces him as the daughter she never had. In an oddly mutual beneficial situation, their camaraderie goes from frustration to fun as they get the best of both worlds – Ju Hua remembers what it is like to be a mother, finding a new lease of life through her ‘daughter’ while Jia Hao embraces the acceptance he has always sought as the sassy queen he yearns to be. This newfound relationship delivers some of the film’s most comically blunt and tender moments, with an improvised wedding being a notable, heartwarming display of acceptance.
Amid the laughs and sparkles, Ong’s narrative delivers some serious notes that resonates with audiences. There is a particular emphasis on the issue of filial piety – a commonly used theme in East Asian cinema, with films such as Thai crowdpleaser How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and Australian rom-com Five Blind Dates. In A Good Child, the loyalty to one’s parents tests the dynamic between brothers Jia Hao and Jia Qiong (Charlie Goh). Despite being mistaken as her daughter, Jia Hao’s alter ego facilitates Jia Hua’s care. Meanwhile, Jia Qiong disagrees with his brother’s methods with an edge of jealousy and resentment. The underlying societal pressure to care for their mother is sensitively treated, as both siblings perform their duty. But through his charged screenplay, Ong highlights the clash between modern and traditional values as the brothers yearn to live their lives as they want.
In his debut lead role, Koh exudes an untouchable level of sass when on stage but as soon as he is off stage, he is given the room to convey Jia Hao’s loneliness. In a bold and powerful performance, he is unafraid to show emotions when glimpses of childhood trauma tests Jia Hao’s resolve. Koh’s chemistry with Hong as Ju Hua is also lovely to watch – while their relationship has their ups and downs, there is never a dull moment.
A heady combination of heart and laughs, A Good Child is a moving story about family and identity with Ong’s screenplay and Koh’s electric performance cementing the emotions amid a haze of colour.
A Good Child is holding its UK Premiere as part of Queer East 2026.
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Director: Kuo-Sin Ong
Stars: Richie Koh, Charlie Goh, Hong Huifang, Cheryl Chou
Runtime: 105 minutes
Country: Singapore
