Joy Ride 2023

In the autumn of 1998, the Chen family, comprised of Wey and Jenny, alongside their spirited daughter Lolo, make a daring move from their cultural home to a predominantly white neighborhood in Seattle. This bold relocation signals the beginning of a transformative chapter filled with both highs and lows. Here, they encounter Joe (David Denman) and Mary Sullivan, another couple who have their own stories to share. The two families’ daughters, Audrey and Lolo, form an unlikely friendship, joyfully navigating the playgrounds together. Yet, the innocence of their childhood is abruptly shattered when Lolo responds to a racial slur during their play, setting off a series of tumultuous events that shape their lives forever.

As the years pass, Audrey, now a successful lawyer, finds herself grappling with discrimination while Lolo embraces her family’s cultural roots and channels her artistic talents into evocative expressions. Despite their diverging paths—Audrey yearning for the freedom of a new city, while Lolo remains deeply connected to her community—their friendship endures the test of time.

The story escalates dramatically when Audrey’s boss, Frank, tasks her with closing a significant deal with the elusive Chao in Beijing. Realizing Lolo has a natural gift for languages, Audrey invites her along for the journey as her translator. They are also joined by Lolo’s quirky cousin, Deadeye. Their travels lead them to meet former college chum Kat, a rising actress engaged to the charming Clarence. As they navigate their complex relationships, the stakes rise with the impending deal that threatens to unravel amidst hidden secrets and unspoken tensions.

The trio finds themselves in hilarious and precarious situations, from a nightclub encounter that leads to embarrassing mishaps to an ill-fated train ride where they meet Jess, an American woman who pulls them into her chaotic world of drugs. After being ejected from the train and losing their passports, they find refuge with former basketball star Baron Davis, leading to a night of wild escapades that test their limits.

When the group arrives in Haiqing, Lolo reconnects with her Nai Nai, who gifts Audrey a traditional outfit for their meeting with the adoption agency. The moment is nothing short of shocking when they discover that Audrey is not Chinese, but rather Korean. With their passports gone and urgency mounting, Deadeye devises a plan to smuggle herself and the group onto a private jet to Seoul, masquerading as K-pop stars to escape detection. Their performance, however, goes viral for all the wrong reasons, triggering a series of consequences that puts their professional lives and personal relationships on the line. Audrey faces a heart-wrenching discovery about her biological mother during a visit to the adoption agency, intertwining pain and joy as she learns her mother passed away.

Returning to Seattle, the emotional landscape between Audrey and Lolo shifts as they try to navigate their differences. An explosive argument forces them to confront their vulnerabilities, leading to a poignant reconciliation at Lolo’s family restaurant. Seasons change and, as time passes, the friends reunite for another whirlwind adventure in Paris, each having grown in ways both profound and surprising. With Deadeye showcasing her audacious new tattoo, the bonds of friendship, self-discovery, and self-expression continue to flourish, reminding them of the transformative journey they’ve shared.