'Trai buon nguoi': From the 'easy job, high salary' trap to a box office success
WVR - From early screenings leading the box office to a revenue of 50 billion VND after three days according to updated crew data, Trai buon nguoi (Human-trafficking campt) is becoming a topic of discussion among audiences and artists.
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| The portrayal of Huynh Minh Kien and Steven Nguyen in the film Trai buon nguoi. (Source: Courtesy) |
After the initial screenings, Trai buon nguoi quickly became one of the most discussed films at the box office. According to revenue data updated by the crew, the film reached 50 billion VND after three days, continuing to attract audiences with its story about people lured by the promise of “easy jobs, high salaries” only to fall into cross-border human trafficking and fraud networks.
Before its official release, the film led the box office with 11 billion VND from early screenings, according to Box Office data. Not only drawing attention for its revenue, Trai buon nguoi also garnered interest from many artists.
At the premiere in Hanoi on the evening of September 24, People Artist Thanh Lam, Viet Anh, Quynh Nga, Quang Thang, Trang Nhung, and the couple Doan Van Hau - Doan Hai My, along with many artists, appeared to support the crew. Thanh Lam was one of the guests who had a special reaction after the screening in Hanoi. The singer praised the investment, script, and visuals of the film, while expressing regret for not being part of the film's music. Thanh Lam even enthusiastically expressed a desire to sing the soundtrack for Trai buon nguoi.
Hoa Minzy's reaction to Trai buon nguoi
After the film's release, many artists like Duy Manh, Hoa Minzy, Van Trang... also shared and interacted around the work. The interest from various artist groups shows that the film not only reaches audiences familiar with the action genre but also sparks broader conversations about a socially relevant issue.
Hoa Minzy shared that she has always loved psychological and action films, so she was almost captivated from start to finish, never feeling sleepy or distracted. “The film Trai buon nguoi is really good, everyone should go watch it. My taste is psychological action, and I swear it was thrilling. I watched the 11 PM screening last night and never once took my eyes off the screen, not giving a chance to yawn,” Hoa Minzy shared.
The singer also revealed that there were scenes that excited her so much she clapped in the theater. “There were parts where I clapped my hands,” she wrote. Notably, Hoa Minzy not only evaluated the film for its entertainment value but also believed it could offer practical lessons for young people. She specifically mentioned audiences just turning 18, suggesting this age group should be exposed to stories like those in the film to better understand potential life issues.
From the audience's perspective, reactions after early screenings were quite diverse. Some focused on the action sequences and large-scale scenes; others paid attention to the characters, family bonds, and warning messages.
One viewer, after watching the film, remarked that the large crowd scenes felt overwhelming like a Hollywood movie, and praised the crew for crafting unique fates for many characters. This person was particularly moved by scenes between the mother and son, featuring performances by People Artist Nhu Quynh and Dinh Viet Tuong.
Another comment highlighted Steven Nguyen, noting that his character had both strong action sequences and emotional depth. These responses indicate that audiences are not only seeking action but are also interested in the stories behind the characters.
Film review platforms also acknowledge the film's appeal. MoMo reported that Trai buon nguoi received an average score of 9.5/10 from thousands of user reviews on the platform at the time of writing. These varied responses show that the film's impact is not solely in the praise it receives. Trai buon nguoi is becoming a topic for audiences to discuss both in terms of production scale and the way the film approaches a social issue.
On the morning of September 25, the Hanoi Cinema Association organized a seminar and creative exchange with the film crew of Trai buon nguoi at Screening Room No. 1, National Cinema Centre. Associated Professor, Dr. Do Lenh Tu, Chairman of the Vietnam Cinema Association, shared: “The greatest pain of humanity does not lie in illness or death, but in people causing suffering to one another. The work Trai buon nguoi has depicted a harsh reality, bringing us to the brink between life and death. However, above all brutality and evil, the highest human values still shine – love, empathy, and sharing. Although each individual initially is a separate world full of fear and isolation, it is this shared fear that transforms into a powerful resistance. Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the film crew, especially proud of the students who have matured from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema.”
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| The large-scale scenes of Trai buon nguoi feature a multitude of actors. According to the director, this is not a new topic but one that still occurs in modern life. (Source: Courtesy) |
From “easy job, high salary” to the trap behind the enticing offer
One of the notable aspects of Trai buon nguoi is that the film does not begin with an unfamiliar criminal world, but from an offer that could appear in everyday life: “easy job, high salary”. Promises of attractive income, jobs requiring little experience, or opportunities for a better life can be the starting point for someone to venture into unknown lands. Once they cross the border, they may have their documents confiscated, communication controlled, forced to work, and pushed into fraud networks.
This is also a part of the content emphasised in many articles about the film. VTV noted that the work raises issues about sweet temptations leading young workers into border areas, where they must fight for survival. Moveek also described the story as starting with the “easy job, high salary” trick before the characters are drawn into a criminal system.
Importantly, the film does not portray victims as ignorant individuals. They have families, jobs, personal plans, and various reasons to believe in the enticing offers. This makes the story more relatable to real life.
The cautionary message, therefore, lies in being wary of overly attractive offers, especially when overseas jobs do not provide clear information about the company, work location, contracts, recruiters, or require workers to hand over personal documents.
In this regard, Trai buon nguoi adds value beyond entertainment. The film brings an issue often seen in legal news to the big screen through the stories of specific characters.
After the initial days of screening, the Trai buon nguoi crew continues to conduct a cinetour to meet audiences directly. On the first day in Hanoi, Steven Nguyen and the actors brought bags of gifts to give to viewers. The image of actors directly interacting, giving gifts, and taking photos with the audience created a different atmosphere from usual film promotions. For the crew, this was also an opportunity to hear direct reactions after audiences experienced the 135-minute film.
In the early days of screening, Trai buon nguoi witnessed audiences filling theaters, from early screenings to late-night slots. Images of viewers lining up to enter theaters, packed screening rooms, and groups of audiences coming together to enjoy the film created a lively atmosphere at cinema complexes. The strong turnout of audiences demonstrates the appeal of a well-invested Vietnamese film, from the story and performances to large-scale action scenes. Many viewers, after watching, shared their emotions and recommended the film to friends, contributing to word-of-mouth effects right in the early days of its release.
