Should I Watch It? Prime Video's Don't Make Me Go, the movie that captures the pressures of father-daughter relationships.

If you were given just one more year to live, what would you do with it? 

That's the premise of Prime Video's original adventure dramedy film Don't Make Me Go. The movie, which was written by Vera Herbert and directed by Hannah Marks, follows the story of single dad Max Park (John Cho) and his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac).   

After Max is given just one year to live, he sets in motion a series of events that will change both his and Wally's lives forever. 

“Even though it’s very sad, it’s empowering,” Marks told TV Insider. 

“It’s not just a father teaching his daughter about life, but a daughter teaching her father about life. It’s such an important relationship in so many people’s lives, but you don’t see it explored that often.”

Don't Make Me Go is a heartfelt adventure, a celebration of father-daughter relationships, and a lesson in making the most of even the smallest of moments. 

Watch the trailer for Prime Video's Don't Make Me Go. Post continues below.

Below I unpack what Don't Make Me Go is about and give my verdict on whether you should watch it: 

What is Don't Make Me Go about?

Max Park (Cho, Harold & Kumar and Searching) is a loving yet uptight single dad who has been raising his teenage daughter Wally (Isaac, Not Okay) on his own since her mother left when she was only a little girl. 

It's always been Max and Wally against the world and he thinks it will always be that way. 

That is, until he discovers he has a terminal tumour. 

When Max's doctor gives him a slim chance of surviving surgery, he decides not to tell Wally about his diagnosis. Instead, he decides to spend his final year on earth making the most of the time he has left with her. 

The pair set out on a cross-country road trip, from California to New Orleans, to attend Max's college reunion. There Max hopes they will run into Wally's estranged mother Nicole (Jen Van Epps), so the two can finally meet. 

Wally agrees to go on the road trip after Max promises to finally teach her how to drive. 

What follows is an epic journey full of ups and downs, old and new friends, and... karaoke. Along the way, Max tries to teach Wally everything she needs to know before he leaves her. 

And she, in turn, teaches Max how to make the most of the little moments and to finally open up his heart again. 

Come for the...

Image: Prime Video. 

The sweet father-daughter relationship between Max and Wally. The chemistry between the actors is incredible, and it's beautiful to see how their relationship develops over the course of the movie. 

Stay for the...

The twist! This movie has genuinely the most surprising twist of 2022. 

"I did not know where it was going while I was reading it, and the ending hit me like a ton of bricks," Cho told Forbes. 

"The ending was tough to read. I almost put it out of my mind when we were shooting. Even though I knew that ending was coming emotionally, I’d put it aside, so when we shot it, it wasn’t a surprise, but it felt surprising to me. I think I didn’t want to confront that."

And the incredible performances by Cho and Isaac, their chemistry really makes the movie what it is. 

What movies will it remind you of?

Thelma and Louise for the epic road trip, 50/50 for the terminal illness, and Definitely, Maybe for the sweet father-daughter relationship. 

How long is it?

Image: Prime Video. 

The running time is one hour and 49 minutes, so it's perfect for a mid-week movie night or an easy Sunday afternoon on the couch. 

So, should you watch it?

Don't Make Me Go is the perfect movie when you're in the mood for a heartfelt adventure that will restore your faith in humanity.  

It's both a coming-of-age story and a celebration of father-daughter relationships. It proves that parents can learn a lot from their children and sometimes life's biggest lessons come from the most unexpected places. 

Don't Make Me Go will make you laugh, cry a little, and want to call the father figures in your life for a chat. 

Don't Make Me Go is streaming on Prime Video now.

Feature Image: Prime Video.

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