“Mai” enters world's top 20 worldwide box office 2024

Online news site Deadline.com also revealed that from 154 theaters in North America, Mai grossed US$917,000 and added a further US$133,000 from 40 sites in the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland.

It noted that beginning on March 22, specialty distributor 3388 Films released the movie in nearly 200 theaters in nine countries throughout North America and Europe, marking the widest same-day theatrical release ever for a Vietnamese movie across the two continents. 

This marks the third film from Tran Thanh whose previous movie Bố già (Dad, I’m Sorry) was also released by 3388, earning US$1.3 million in the United States in 2021 to become the top Vietnamese produced movie ever in that market.

Mai has already surpassed the previous two opening record holders combined, including Bố già with US$320,500 in 2021 and Nhà bà Nữ (The House of No Man) with US$440,700 in 2023.

The movie focuses on the life of the eponymous female lead played by Phuong Anh Dao, a nearly 40-year-old masseuse who has a chance encounter with Duong (Thanh) and is pursued by him. She struggles to accept the feelings of a man seven years her junior due to her low self-esteem.

Thanh paced the film slowly and moderated the intensity of the quarrels between his characters. Dao is given a lot of acting space, including moments where she grapples with single motherhood and feels helpless while soothing her crying child.

Among the supporting characters, the most notable is Dao, portrayed by actress Hong Dao, who encourages Mai to embrace the call of love and live her life to the fullest.