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Crime drama

A Sun (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

A Sun (2020) movie poster

A Sun is a 2020 crime drama directed by Mong-Hong Chung, starring Kuan-Ting Liu as Radish, Chih-Ju Lin and Greg Han Hsu. It runs 2 hours 36 minutes. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
Echo Score
83
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A Sun (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 36m (156 min)
Director
Mong-Hong Chung
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
Chinese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Sun About?

The premise of A Sun without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

As family ties fray beneath the surface, a devastating loss shatters the facade of perfection, revealing the cracks in their carefully constructed lives.

A Sun Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • suicide
  • father son relationship
  • jail
  • pregnancy
  • coercion
  • prison
  • prison marriage
  • dead son
  • loss of a brother
  • brother
  • vengeance
  • protection
+29 more
  • family protection
  • paternal figure
  • sun
  • metaphor
  • solitude
  • sadness
  • mother in law
  • hand cut
  • bad friendship
  • bullying
  • run over
  • father figure
  • family of four
  • china
  • taiwan
  • mandarin
  • mourning
  • driving classes
  • driving instructor
  • pay debt
  • amend making
  • resentment
  • discipline
  • riding a bicycle
  • poetry animation
  • path
  • sentence
  • family relationships
  • tradition
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Cast & crew

A Sun Cast & Characters

Kuan-Ting Liu leads the cast as Radish, with Chih-Ju Lin as Oden Senior and Greg Han Hsu as A-Hao. Directed by Mong-Hong Chung; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Sun

· 6 more
From the director

More from Mong-Hong Chung

One more film directed by Mong-Hong Chung: The Falls.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Sun Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Sun 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

83 /100

A Sun Echo Score Breakdown

A Sun is a compelling family drama that excels in visual presentation while navigating complex emotional terrain. Critics highlight its richly composed cinematography and nuanced performances, and users frequently note the film’s striking color palette and dramatic weight. However, the extended runtime and deliberate pacing create occasional lulls in engagement. The narrative balances tragedy and reconciliation through a deliberate rhythm that may challenge some viewers. Overall, the film’s strong craft and emotional ambition deliver a rewarding yet occasionally demanding experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    Art & Craft shines through its meticulously framed visuals and refined production design. In terms of cinematography, the film employs a controlled color palette and striking contrast that critics and users alike praise. The direction captures intimate moments with precision, though measured editing contributes to the film’s deliberate pacing. The visual execution remains a standout element.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character & Emotion are anchored by nuanced performances that infuse the narrative with depth. In terms of acting, reviewers commend the lead cast’s ability to convey unspoken tension and familial bonds. Some viewers, however, report intermittent difficulty in establishing emotional connection. Overall, the portrayals successfully ground the film in authentic relational dynamics.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Story & Flow deliver a nuanced exploration of familial fault lines but unfold at a deliberate pace. Plot coherence remains strong, with incidents that reinforce themes of tragedy and reconciliation. Critics note measured pacing enhances intimacy, while some viewers find the runtime dilutes narrative momentum. The film’s structure balances thematic depth with sporadic pacing challenges.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    Sensory Experience is marked by a cohesive visual style and restrained sound design. The score underscores emotional beats without overwhelming subtle tonal shifts, and the cinematographic clarity extends to evocative framing. While most praise the film’s atmospheric cohesion, the understatement occasionally sacrifices auditory prominence. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the film’s immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch Factor presents a mixed proposition, combining lasting thematic resonance with deliberate pacing. Some viewers find fresh emotional insight on repeat viewings, while others report waning narrative momentum and diminished impact of dramatic beats. The film’s thoughtful construction invites reconsideration of character arcs, but its extended runtime may limit frequent revisits for certain audiences.

Plot

A Sun Plot Summary

What happens in A Sun from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 2013, set against the backdrop of Taipei, a troubled teenager named Chen Jian-ho finds himself entangled in a series of harrowing events alongside his friend, Radish. One fateful night, they approach a young man named Oden at a local restaurant, leading to a shocking incident where Radish violently cuts off Oden’s hand with a machete. This brutal act results in Ho being sentenced to juvenile detention, while Radish receives an even harsher punishment. Amidst this turmoil, Ho’s father, Wen, completely disowns him, choosing instead to focus on his more reserved older brother, A-Hao, who is diligently preparing for medical school at a cram school.

Full summary

The whole story of A Sun, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

A Sun Trailers & Videos

The trailer of A Sun.

A Sun Trailer | SGIFF 2019
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Sun?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the crime committed by Radish against Oden?

Details

A Sun Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “아호” and “나의 아들”.

Also known as
  • 아호
  • 나의 아들
  • Yang guang pu zhao
  • Sun's Sunshine
  • 阳光普照
  • Un Soleil
  • Слънцето грее
  • Солнце
  • Ηλιαχτίδα
  • Dương Quang Phổ Chiếu
  • Сонце
  • ひとつの太陽
+1 more
  • Słońce

Seen A Sun?

FAQ

A Sun FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of A Sun, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Sun?

A Sun runs 2 hours 36 minutes (156 minutes).

When was A Sun released?

A Sun was released on January 24, 2020.

Who directed A Sun?

A Sun was directed by Mong-Hong Chung.

More films by Mong-Hong Chung

Who is in the cast of A Sun?

A Sun stars Kuan-Ting Liu as Radish, Chih-Ju Lin as Oden Senior and Greg Han Hsu as A-Hao, among 10 credited actors.

How is A Sun rated?

A Sun has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77% on TMDB and 3.9/5 on Letterboxd.

Does A Sun have a post-credit scene?

No. A Sun has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is A Sun in?

The original language of A Sun is Chinese.

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