Worth the Wait brings Malaysia to the heart of global audiences

Malaysian Reserve

19 hours ago

A KL-set romcom that makes Malaysia part of the story
by AKMAR ANNUAR
THERE are romantic comedies (romcom) and then there are love letters — both to people and to places. Worth the Wait, a film that intertwines long-distance love, cultural nuance and quiet resilience, comfortably lands in the latter.
Framed against the urban splendour and lush vibrancy of Kuala Lumpur (KL), the film is a soft yet stirring reminder of what it means to wait — for love, for healing, for belonging.
Premiered at DADI Cinema in Pavilion KL, the red carpet screening of Worth the Wait marked more than a cinematic milestone.
Backed by Tourism Malaysia and attended by cast and crew from the US, Canada, Taiwan and Singapore, the event was a cornerstone in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026, reaffirming the government's goal to position Malaysia as both a tourist and filming destination.
Directed by acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker Tom Lin Shu-yu in his English-language debut, Worth the Wait is more than a simple romcom.
Anchored by a compelling ensemble — Ross Butler, Lana Condor, Sung Kang, Andrew Koji, Elodie Yung, Karena Lam, Osric Chau, Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng — the film spans continents but finds its emotional epicentre in Malaysia.
This writer found it impossible not to be touched by the scenes between the husband and wife as they navigate infertility and grief, each mourning in their own silent ways before finding their way back to each other.
It is in these quietly devastating moments that the film departs from genre expectations and offers something far more vulnerable and raw.
Not many American films would shoot in Malaysia and actually talk about it as Malaysia, says Mark
The story, inspired by producer Rachel Tan's real-life transpacific romance with co-producer and husband Dan Mark, reflects a deeply personal narrative.
The pair, having journeyed through a nine-year process to bring this vision to screen, channel their lived experience into a film that feels emotionally authentic.
Their intention to showcase Malaysian culture — its architecture, food and everyday warmth — is apparent in nearly every frame.
'We had a ver y limited budget and it was always about timing. That's why Worth the Wait became very true — it took us nine years,' Mark told The Malaysian Reser ve (TMR) after the press conference.
He noted that Malaysia had rarely been presented in Hollywood films as a character in itself.
'Not many American films would shoot in Malaysia and actually talk about it as Malaysia,' he explained.
The scenes set at Batu Caves, Gombak, Selangor and Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, KL are examples of this direct cultural representation, where the goal wasn't to dress up Malaysia as somewhere else, but to celebrate it in its true form.
(From left) Tan, Butler, Condor and Mark with Merdeka 118 in the background, a landmark in KL where the film takes place
However, the shoot came with its fair share of complications.
'The Batu Caves were really difficult to shoot at. It was crowded, hot and chaotic. It was so hot, it made Ross look sicker than he was even acting,' Mark recalled.
Ross Butler, who portrays the film's male lead, echoed that sentiment with a smile.
'Honestly, the shoot went pretty smoothly, but yeah — it was hot. I actually love monkeys, though. They're little troublemakers, but adorable,' he told TMR.
Butler, who is of Malaysian heritage through his mother from Penang, said that returning to Malaysia brought back fond memories of his childhood.
When asked about his favourite dish, he answered without hesitation.
'Char kuey teow. Hands down,' he told TMR.
It's a detail that adds a layer of personal resonance to his performance — especially as his character moves through familiar KL backdrops.
Though joking about the heat and monkeys, Butler expressed deep appreciation for the Malaysian crew.
'Everyone was so efficient and positive. Even when things went wrong, the energy stayed good. That's not always the case on film sets,' he said.
This synergy between story and setting is further enhanced by the film's commitment to authenticity.
A scene of Butler and Lana Condor sharing durian — a first for Condor — offers both comedic levity and cultural grounding.
Behind the scenes, the production encountered no shortage of logistical challenges, yet these hurdles seem only to have added texture to the finished product.
Lin, whose past work includes The Garden of Evening Mists, once again captures Malaysia with reverence.
His direction allows the cast's emotional beats to unfold naturally, aided by the decision to shoot parallel scenes — set in Seattle, Washington and KL — within the same building.
It's this kind of craftsmanship that gives Worth the Wait its intimate pulse.
The film's broader narrative arc touches not just on romantic love but familial bonds, identity and the migrant experience.
With characters navigating careers in both East and West and actors drawing from personal ties to Malaysia, the film becomes a tapestry of global Asian identity.
Sung plays a grieving father in a role that challenges his usual action-hero image
Sung Kang, known for his action roles in Fast and Furious, plays a grieving father — an intentional subversion of stereotype.
'We wanted to break the mould,' said Mark, explaining the decision to cast actors typically associated with action in emotionally complex roles.
On another note, Karena Lam, who plays a mother dealing with loss.
'Being a mother is the favourite role of my life,' she stated.
Her performance reflects this truth. Every nuance in her delivery feels deeply lived-in, offering one of the film's most powerful portrayals.
Though the production began as a love story, it evolved into a project with broader ambitions: To humanise Asian stories beyond martial arts, tiger mums or token representation.
The all-Asian cast, led by Asian-American creatives, signals a new chapter in global storytelling — one in which Asia is not just a backdrop, but the beating heart of the narrative.
Tourism Malaysia's support of Worth the Wait is not without strategic vision. The film functions as soft power — exporting a Malaysia that is modern, multicultural and emotionally textured.
Already streamed by over seven million viewers in the US, with theatrical releases pending in Singapore and across South-East Asia, the film is poised to extend Malaysia's cinematic footprint.
King Street Pictures LLC, the studio behind the film, remains steadfast in its mission to centre diverse voices.
This seventh release by the company builds on its legacy of emotional storytelling and global reach.
Perhaps the most poignant takeaway from the night was not delivered in a scene or a speech, but in a sentiment repeated by the cast and creators alike: Love,
in all its messiness and imperfection, is worth the wait.
Whether it's the long road to healing, the patient process of making a film, or the hopeful dream of bringing Malaysia to the world — everything meaningful takes time.
And for this writer, the scene where the couple sits quietly in the kitchen, finally speaking after prolonged silence, lingers. It's a reminder that even in stillness, love endures.
As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, Worth the Wait may well be its most heartfelt invitation yet. A reminder to see, to feel and above all, to stay awhile.
Worth the Wait is scheduled for theatrical release in Malaysia this August. It is distributed locally by Astro Shaw Sdn Bhd.
This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition