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Starring Jerry as Himself

Play trailer 1:54 Poster for Starring Jerry as Himself 2024 1h 15m Documentary Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 17 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Jerry, an ordinary immigrant dad, retired in Orlando, is recruited to be an undercover agent for the Chinese police. Jerry's family recreates the events on film and his three sons discover a darker truth. True crime meets spy thriller in this genre-bending docufiction hybrid about an immigrant’s search for the American dream.
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Starring Jerry as Himself

Critics Reviews

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Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com 11/08/2024
2.5/4
This is as much a movie about memory, psychology, and trust as it is an account of an event that becomes stranger, deeper, and sadder once you get to the bottom of it. Go to Full Review
Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle 06/28/2023
Chen finds a way to lure the audience into understanding a horrible phenomenon that we all know about, but can only understand through Jerry's eyes. Go to Full Review
Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht 12/06/2024
This is a fascinating pseudo-documentary, which leads up to a major twist that retroactively makes the whole thing less interesting Go to Full Review
Lee Zumpe Tampa Bay Newspapers 12/03/2024
The ingenious presentation and execution of “Starring Jerry As Himself” gives the film its distinctiveness. Go to Full Review
Pat Mullen POV Magazine 11/14/2024
The participatory nature offers something new for true crime in a genre that seemed all but maxed out by formula as it situates Jerry’s story with a hybrid film movement that recognizes the power in letting people play themselves. Go to Full Review
Erik Childress Movie Madness Podcast 11/11/2024
3.5/4
Before Thelma or The Beekeeper, the story of Jerry Hsu was documented in this fascinating film at the crossroads of memory and fiction that is a compelling reminder of how the world views both immigrants and our seniors. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Phil C Sep 21 The most compelling film from the 2023 Vashon Island Film Festival. Brilliantly done, suspenseful and ultimately very moving. See more David F 11/25/2024 This is cinema. An absolute master piece of a film. The choice of shots, soundtrack and pacing of the plot to tell such a tragic story is done so elequently. Genuinely would recommend this for everybody to watch and show your parents. See more Hannah R 11/24/2024 Starring Jerry as Himself is an extraordinary film that seamlessly blends genre-action, documentary, and heartfelt drama. The storytelling techniques allow us to truly relate to Jerry, especially as he’s manipulated by scammers who pretend to care about him. This resonated deeply with me, as I had an elderly, divorced father who was also financially scammed. The film tapped into the guilt that many children of immigrants feel, wondering if we could have done more to protect them had we paid closer attention to their vulnerability. The movie strikes a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth. There were plenty of moments that had me laughing, but it also moved me to tears by the end. The seamless shift from comedy to raw drama makes Starring Jerry as Himself an unforgettable and thought-provoking experience. At just 75 minutes, it’s a very digestible length that doesn’t overstay its welcome. I cannot recommend this more. See more Chrissy W 11/21/2024 This film is a tragic story within a family captured in a beautifully shot, cinematic way. What is told as a documentary is shown as a mind-bending spy thriller that had us all on the edge of our seats. I appreciate the vulnerability of Jerry telling his story, and I hope the world gets to see it and experience the journey. Highly recommend Starring Jerry As Himself! See more Kevin C 11/20/2024 Just wow, saw this in theaters, I did not know what i was getting myself into and really left it feeling like it was one of the most moving films of the year. It's a small film with a huge heart, I need to go call my parents now See more tiffany j 11/19/2024 Starring Jerry as Himself is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that feels alarmingly relatable, reminding us how unexpected challenges can touch our families and parents. Jerry’s heartfelt performance shines, grounding the story in sincerity and vulnerability. Blending reality with storytelling, the film explores resilience, trust, and family bonds, leaving you reflecting on the relationships that matter most. It’s not just a movie—it’s a wake-up call to stay connected and vigilant. I urge everyone to watch Starring Jerry as Himself. It’s a story worth experiencing and sharing. Spread the word! See more Read all reviews
Starring Jerry as Himself

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jerry, an ordinary immigrant dad, retired in Orlando, is recruited to be an undercover agent for the Chinese police. Jerry's family recreates the events on film and his three sons discover a darker truth. True crime meets spy thriller in this genre-bending docufiction hybrid about an immigrant’s search for the American dream.
Director
Lawrence Chen
Producer
Jonathan Hsu, Lawrence Chen
Screenwriter
Jerry C. Hsu, Lawrence Chen
Distributor
Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co
Forces Unseen, Hsubox Productions
Genre
Documentary, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 6, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 8, 2024
Runtime
1h 15m
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