Deadline
By Nancy Tartaglione
Published September 10, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Specialty distributor 3388 Films has set an international theatrical release across four continents for Vietnam box office hit Face Off 8: Embrace of Light.
Written and directed by Ly Hai and produced by Minh Ha, the family drama will begin rollout on September 18 in North America, UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Japan and Poland release on October 3, followed by Germany on October 9, with more markets to come.
Face Off 8: Embrace of Light (original title: Lat Mat 8: Vong Tay Nang) joined the Top 5 highest-grossing films of 2025 in Vietnam with $8.8M earlier this year. Prior to its local April opening, Face Off 8 pre-sold a record-breaking 131K in advance tickets.
This 8th installment marks the 10-year anniversary of the longest and most successful Vietnam film franchise. Director Ly’s last film, Face Off 7: One Wish, is the market’s 3rd highest grossing film of all time. The Face Off series is the first and only Vietnam franchise to enjoy a four-continent release.
Face Off 8: Embrace of Light tackles the social and cultural dilemma of parental expectations versus youthful ambitions. Against the backdrop of the golden sand dunes in Ninh Thuan province, family strife boils over when a son’s dream to dance to the beat of his own heart pits him against his father’s wishes.
The ensemble cast includes Kim Phuong, Long Dep Trai, Tuyet Thu, Quach Ngoc Tuyen, Doan The Vinh and Ho Dong Quan.
The story is based on Ly’s own family life as well as the lives of some of his friends after witnessing disagreements that unfolded.
He explains, “Children sometimes study a certain profession out of respect for their parents, but after finishing school, they drop out to pursue their true passion. Or if the children are not successful, they blame their parents for forcing them to study a profession they didn’t like. Therefore, there will be disagreements between parents and children. From each person’s perspective, they think they are right. Through this story, I hope everyone can self-reflect, to sympathize and understand their loved ones more and avoid regrettable things. Because in the end, everyone wants a happy family.”
