Sunny Wang Leads a Gritty Taipei Gang Saga: GATAO: Like Father Like Son Review

This GATAO: Like Father Like Son review starts with a simple question: can a long-running Taiwanese gangster series still find fresh blood? The 2024 film, directed by Chiang Jui-chih and Yao Hung-i, mixes family drama with street-level action. It works best as a character piece and wobbles when it tries to juggle too many threads.

GATAO: Like Father Like Son Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The GATAO: Like Father Like Son plot centres on Michael, an ambitious drug dealer, and Scorpion, his right-hand man. Both get drawn into the turf war their father, Ko, is fighting against rival gangs in Taipei. The fight sets old-school gangsters against a hungrier younger generation.

The film is the latest entry in the Gatao franchise, and it follows a young successor trying to expand his power in a volatile underworld. Reports from viewers suggest it fills in backstory that adds depth to the earlier movies. Newcomers can follow the main conflict, but longtime fans will catch more of the references.

What Works in GATAO: Like Father Like Son

The look is the first thing to praise. One reviewer called the visuals a major strength, and the nighttime streets, neon-lit hangouts and cramped family spaces give the drama a lived-in feel.

The first half also moves well. Viewers describe it as solid and never a slog, and the 131-minute runtime flies by while the film sets up its rival factions and loyalties.

The father-and-son theme gives the crime plot some weight. Michael and Ko clash over what a gang leader should be, and that generational tension is the film's strongest idea.

• Atmospheric Taipei locations and moody lighting

• A clear family conflict at the core

• A confident opening act that builds momentum

GATAO: Like Father Like Son Cast and Performances

The GATAO: Like Father Like Son cast is led by Sunny Wang as Michael, with Harry Chang as Scorpion. Lung Tien-hsiang plays their father, Ko, while Rexen Cheng appears as Ching, Tsai Chen-nan as Yung Sang and King Jieh-wen as Hee.

Wang gives Michael the restless energy of a man who wants more than he has. Chang plays Scorpion as the steadier presence beside him, and their bond sells the idea that these two are in this together. Lung Tien-hsiang brings the old-guard gravity needed to make Ko feel like a figure the younger men must either follow or defy.

Not every supporting thread lands. One reviewer felt a trio of characters dragged the film down, so the ensemble is uneven.

Where GATAO: Like Father Like Son Stumbles

The main problem is focus. Critics and viewers say the story juggles too many threads, and the second half meanders after a tighter opening. Several gang factions and loyalties compete for attention, and some of them never get enough room.

The action is another weak spot. At least one viewer complained that the group fights are still poorly staged, a note that will matter to anyone hoping for slick set pieces. The film leans more toward drama than spectacle, but the brawls could have been sharper.

It's also worth noting that the sample of reviews is small and mostly from audiences rather than professional critics. Reception is mixed, with the audience score on TMDB at 7.3/10 from 16 votes and MyDramaList at 7.4 from 33 users.

Is GATAO: Like Father Like Son Worth Watching?

Yes, if you like crime dramas built around family and loyalty, and you can forgive a loose second half. The film is not a landmark of the genre, but its mood, its core relationships and its look make it a respectable entry in the series.

If you want relentless action, you may be disappointed. If you want a character-driven story about inheritance in the underworld, it delivers enough. Fans of the earlier films will get the most out of it, and genre fans can browse more crime movie reviews or action movie reviews on FilmKini.

The GATAO: Like Father Like Son release date was 16 August 2024 in Taiwan. You can find more details on the film at MyDramaList.

Who Will Enjoy GATAO: Like Father Like Son

• Fans of the Gatao series who want more backstory on its world

• Viewers who like Asian crime dramas with strong family themes

• Anyone who prefers atmosphere and character conflict over polished fight choreography

If you're in the mood for something more action-heavy, our drama movie reviews page has other options.