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Tee Yai: Born to Be Bad poster

Tee Yai: Born to Be Bad

Movie 2025 117 min MA 15+ Crime, Action, Drama
AMU 17+ * Quality ★★★☆☆

Our take

Tee Yai: Born to Be Bad dramatizes a 1980s Bangkok thief outwitting police until one cop closes in. Dialogue includes relentless s-word and damn language, gun cocks, can't-be-killed talk, brothel visits, drunk scenes, and gambling tips. Crime action tone with mature themes throughout. Adults and older teens

Uplifting themes

Cleverness is admired, but crime lifestyle dominates moral framing The pursuing cop offers contrast, but the thief remains the focus

Story (may spoil tone)

In 1980s Bangkok, a wily thief stages a series of daring heists, baffling the authorities and the public — until one cop sets out to take him down.

Violence
Strong
Language
Strong
Sex / nudity
Mild
Drugs / alcohol
Mild
Frightening
Mild
Bullying / discrimination
Gore / death / weapons
Moderate
Dangerous behaviour
Moderate
Eating disorders / body image
Mental health
Gambling
Mild
Grief / bereavement

Details

Violence Strong Gun cocks, he-can't-be-killed legend, and crime shootout culture throug…

Gun cocks, he-can't-be-killed legend, and crime shootout culture throughout

Language Strong Constant s-word, damn, and beat-the-s-word-out threats in street and po…

Constant s-word, damn, and beat-the-s-word-out threats in street and police talk

Sex / nudity Mild Brothel and prostitute references in criminal underworld scenes

Brothel and prostitute references in criminal underworld scenes

Drugs / alcohol Mild Let's-get-drunk banter and smoke references after heists

Let's-get-drunk banter and smoke references after heists

Frightening Mild Police pursuit and criminal danger keep tension high

Police pursuit and criminal danger keep tension high

Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title

No bullying found in this title

Gore / death / weapons Moderate Gunplay and criminal violence expected in the biopic crime genre

Gunplay and criminal violence expected in the biopic crime genre

Dangerous behaviour Moderate Heist glamor and outrunning police are central antihero fantasy

Heist glamor and outrunning police are central antihero fantasy

Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title

No eating found in this title

Mental health No mental health found in this title

No mental health found in this title

Gambling Mild Informant saw them gambling here in police surveillance talk

Informant saw them gambling here in police surveillance talk

Grief / bereavement No grief found in this title

No grief found in this title

Talk after watching

  • Tee Yai charms the public while breaking laws. Why do audiences root for antiheroes?
  • The cat-and-mouse with police drives the plot. What lines should lawbreaking never cross?
  • 1980s Bangkok setting adds cultural context. What felt specific to time and place?