How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
A bittersweet family drama blossoming with gentle humor, this film captures the poignant transformation of a young man’s greed into genuine love at the twilight of his grandmother's life.
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies

หลานม่า

"Never underestimate a grandma's love for her family."

04 April 2024 Thailand 126 min ⭐ 8.2 (306)
Director: Pat Boonnitipat
Cast: Putthipong Assaratanakul, Usha Seamkhum, Sanya Kunakorn, Sarinrat Thomas, Pongsatorn Jongwilas
Drama
The Commodification of Care vs. Genuine Love Family Duty and Generational Divide Mortality and The Value of Time Generational Bias and Unspoken Sacrifice
Budget: $1,000,000
Box Office: $73,800,000

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

M

Putthipong Assaratanakul (Billkin)

Archetype: Anti-hero / The Prodigal Grandson
Key Trait: Transformative

Motivation

Initially, his sole motivation is to secure his grandmother's house as an inheritance, inspired by his cousin's success. This evolves into a genuine desire to care for her and make her comfortable in her final days, driven by the bond they form.

Character Arc

M begins as a cynical, lazy university dropout whose motivations are entirely selfish. His decision to care for his dying grandmother is a calculated scheme to inherit her house. Through the daily routines of caregiving, he slowly develops genuine empathy and affection. His arc is a classic journey from greed to selflessness, culminating in the realization that his relationship with Amah is the true inheritance. He matures from a boy chasing easy money to a young man who understands the value of love and sacrifice.

Mengju / Amah

Usha Seamkhum

Archetype: The Matriarch / The Mentor
Key Trait: Resilient

Motivation

Her primary motivation is her deep-seated love for her family and her desire for them to remain united, even after her death. Despite disappointments from her children, she continues to make sacrifices for their well-being, such as wanting to give her house to her indebted son and hoping a large burial plot will bring them together.

Character Arc

Amah starts as a demanding, unfiltered, and seemingly cantankerous old woman, wary of M's sudden attentiveness. As the story unfolds, her tough exterior gives way to reveal a woman of immense strength, vulnerability, and deep, quiet love for her flawed family. Her character doesn't change so much as she is revealed to the audience and to M. She remains pragmatic and clear-eyed about her family's shortcomings but never stops loving them. Her arc is one of gradual opening-up and acceptance of her grandson's care.

Chew

Sarinrat Thomas

Archetype: The Dutiful Daughter
Key Trait: Long-suffering

Motivation

Her motivation is a quiet, unconditional love for both her mother and her son. She supports M's decision to care for Amah, despite knowing his initial intentions, and provides him with crucial perspective on the nature of family and sacrifice.

Character Arc

Chew is M's mother and Amah's only daughter. She embodies the archetype of the overlooked, sacrificial daughter in a patriarchal family structure. She cares for her mother without expectation of reward and understands the family's biased dynamics, poignantly stating, "Sons get assets, daughters get cancer." Her arc is less about transformation and more about providing a stable, emotional anchor and a moral compass for M.

Soei

Pongsatorn Jongwilas

Archetype: The Prodigal Son
Key Trait: Irresponsible

Motivation

His primary motivation is financial survival due to his gambling debts. He appears to love his mother but is often overwhelmed by his own problems, leading to selfish actions.

Character Arc

Soei is Amah's youngest son, perpetually in debt and often seen as a failure. He represents the child who causes the most trouble yet still receives his mother's grace. His arc involves a moment of desperation where he steals from his mother, yet he is the one she ultimately entrusts her house to, hoping to save him from his debts. This act highlights Amah's complex, forgiving love.

Kiang

Sanya Kunakorn

Archetype: The Distant Son
Key Trait: Pragmatic

Motivation

His motivation is to solve the "problem" of his mother's care with money, as he is too busy with his own life and family to provide personal care. He fulfills his duty financially but not emotionally.

Character Arc

Kiang is Amah's eldest and most successful son, a wealthy stockbroker. He is emotionally distant and approaches his mother's illness with a practical, monetary mindset, offering to pay M to be the caregiver. He represents the child who has achieved material success but has lost a deeper emotional connection with his parent. His character highlights the theme that money cannot replace time and presence.

Cast

Putthipong Assaratanakul as M
Usha Seamkhum as Amah
Sanya Kunakorn as Kiang
Sarinrat Thomas as Sew
Pongsatorn Jongwilas as Soei
Tontawan Tantivejakul as Mui
Duangporn Oapirat as Pinn
Himawari Tajiri as Rainbow
Wattana Subpakit as Amah's Brother
Sumalee Suteeratham as Agong's Sister
Phichai Prommate as Agong
Pachchun Hiranprateep as Young M
Buppa Suttisanon as Ngek
Arnon Puthamilinprateep as Agong's Descendant
Jirayus Kammalaspitak as Agong's Descendant