Spoiler warning: the ending is explained in full below. Streaming info is current as of October 24, 2026.
Weekend in Taipei is a 2024 action thriller starring Luke Evans as a DEA agent who chases a drug lord through Taiwan’s capital and reunites with an old flame, played by Gwei Lun-mei. In the U.S., you can stream it on MGM+, Fubo, or Philo, or rent it for $3.99 on Prime Video.
Directed by George Huang and co-written with Luc Besson, it’s a fast, 101-minute ride with car chases, family secrets, and a lot of Taipei scenery. Here’s who’s in it, what happens, how it ends, and where to watch.
Weekend in Taipei at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Director | George Huang |
| Writers | George Huang, Luc Besson |
| Producers | Luc Besson, Virginie Besson-Silla (EuropaCorp) |
| U.S. release | November 8, 2024 (Ketchup Entertainment) |
| Rating | R, for violence |
| Runtime | About 1 hour 41 minutes |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 52% critics, 69% audience |
The film premiered in Taipei on September 1, 2024, then opened in France and Taiwan on September 25. It topped Taiwan’s box office in its first week, but its U.S. opening was small, about $360,000 from 1,021 theaters.
Weekend in Taipei Cast and Characters
- Luke Evans as John Lawlor: A DEA agent who’s been chasing the same cartel boss for months.
- Gwei Lun-mei as Joey: A former top getaway driver in Taipei, now married to the man John is hunting.
- Sung Kang as Kwang: A billionaire “seafood merchant” who secretly runs a drug empire.
- Wyatt Yang as Raymond: Joey’s teenage son, raised as Kwang’s adopted child.
- Pernell Walker as Charlotte Fields: John’s DEA supervisor.
- Tuo Tsung-hua as Deputy Liu: A Taiwanese police detective.
- Lu Yi-ching as Po-po: Joey’s grandmother.
- Patrick Lee as Bolo: Kwang’s bodyguard and right-hand man.
Fans of the Fast & Furious films will recognize Sung Kang right away. Here, though, he swaps the hero role for the villain, which is part of the fun.
What Is Weekend in Taipei About? Plot Summary
John has spent six months undercover in a Minneapolis Chinese restaurant, building a case against Kwang. Then a colleague’s mistake blows his cover, and the work is wasted. Soon after, an anonymous source in Taipei emails him, claiming to have Kwang’s ledger.
His bosses don’t believe it, so they put him on leave. John flies to Taipei anyway, using a fake identity.
Meanwhile, Kwang discovers that Raymond stole the ledger. Raymond thinks it proves his stepfather’s environmental crimes, like killing dolphins. He has no idea it also exposes the drug business. Joey begs for her son’s life, and the two of them knock Kwang out and race to warn the DEA at the Marriott Taipei.
That’s where the past catches up. Joey and John already know each other. Before they can talk, Kwang’s men storm the hotel, grab the ledger, and kill John’s companions. John escapes with Joey and Raymond.
Weekend in Taipei Ending Explained
The big reveal: John is Raymond’s father
The three hide in Joey’s childhood fishing village with her grandmother. There, Joey finally tells John the truth. Fifteen years earlier, he went undercover as a trafficker, fell in love with her, and helped her escape. She was pregnant when he left, and she never got the chance to tell him.
So Raymond is John’s son. Joey had felt betrayed, believing John lied to her the whole time. John apologizes and promises not to walk away again, and they make peace.
The hostage deal and the final chase
Raymond then learns that a rhino figurine on Kwang’s desk hides a flash drive with a digital copy of the ledger. He sneaks back to get it, but Kwang catches him. Kwang calls Joey and John to bargain, and John offers himself in exchange for his son.
They meet in Ximending, Taipei’s busy shopping district. Kwang breaks the deal, keeps Raymond, and grabs Joey too. But John turns the tables, takes out Kwang’s enforcers, and chases Kwang’s car through the alleys. The chase ends on foot inside a theater, where John subdues Kwang just as police arrive to arrest him.
What the final scene means
In the epilogue, the family travels together to Paris, and Joey reveals she’s pregnant with their second child. It’s a clear reset. Fifteen years ago, John left before he knew about the first baby. This time, he hears the news first and stays. That’s the movie’s real payoff: the action wraps up the case, but the ending closes the loop on the family story.
Where to Watch Weekend in Taipei
As of October 2026, here’s how to watch in the U.S., based on listings from JustWatch and Moviefone:
- Stream with a subscription: MGM+, Fubo, or Philo.
- Rent: $3.99 on Prime Video or Fandango at Home, or $5.99 on Apple TV.
- Buy digital: About $12.99 on Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV.
- Physical copy: DVD and Blu-ray editions are sold through major retailers.
Netflix lists the film in some regions, but U.S. guides don’t show it on Netflix right now. Streaming deals change often, so check before you pay. If MGM+ offers a free trial, that’s the cheapest way in.
Is it worth watching?
Critics were mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at 52% with critics and 69% with audiences. Reviewers liked the action, the cast, and the Taipei setting, but many found the script thin. Variety summed it up as familiar and formulaic but fun.
My take? Go in for the chases and the city, not deep storytelling, and you’ll have a good time. If you want more picks like this, see our ranking of the best action movies of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weekend in Taipei on Netflix?
Netflix carries the film in some regions, but U.S. streaming guides don’t list it on Netflix as of October 2026. In the U.S., you can stream it on MGM+, Fubo, or Philo, or rent it from Prime Video, Fandango at Home, or Apple TV. Availability changes, so check your service first.
Who is Raymond’s father in Weekend in Taipei?
John Lawlor, played by Luke Evans, is Raymond’s biological father. Joey reveals that she was pregnant when John left Taipei after an undercover job 15 years earlier, and she never told him. Kwang raised Raymond as his adopted son after marrying Joey for protection.
Is Weekend in Taipei based on a true story?
No. It’s an original action thriller written by George Huang and Luc Besson, and there’s no sign it’s based on real events. It does use real Taipei locations, though, including Ximending and the Marriott Taipei, which gives the chases a strong sense of place.
Is the movie suitable for kids?
Not really. The film is rated R for violence, with shootouts, fistfights, and deaths throughout. It’s best for adults and older teens whose parents are fine with action violence. If you’re watching with family, preview a few scenes first or check a parents’ guide.
Will there be a Weekend in Taipei 2?
We couldn’t find any sequel announcement as of October 2026. The film ends with the case closed and the family starting over in Paris, so the story feels complete. Its modest U.S. box office also makes a follow-up less likely, but nothing has been officially ruled out either.
Final Thoughts on This Taipei Action Thriller
This movie mixes a simple cops-and-cartel plot with a surprisingly warm family story. Luke Evans and Gwei Lun-mei carry it, Sung Kang makes a fun villain, and Taipei itself is the real star.
Pick it for a relaxed action night, ideally on MGM+ or a cheap rental. And if it makes you want to see Asia for real, our guide to the best things to do in Bangkok is a fun next read.
Featured image: Photo by Eric Barbeau on Unsplash. In-article image: Photo by Lisanto 李奕良 on Unsplash.
