How “Death And Ramen” Delivers Love & Loss Through Noodles

The story of a ‘divine ’bowl of ramen

Life, loss, and noodles. These are all the defining characteristics that will get you hooked in Tiger Ji’s second film, Death and Ramen. Death and Ramen is a short film written and directed by rising-filmmaker Tiger Ji. In his second movie, he crafts a dark comedy that explores themes of mortality and mental health all within the span of fourteen minutes. While fourteen minutes isn’t a lot of time to tell a compelling narrative, Ji manages to delivers an emotionally charged gut punch that reflects a story in the Asian American experience.

What Is “Death and Ramen” About?

Death and Ramen follows Timmy Lee, a ramen chef (played by Bobby Lee) who commits suicide one night and meets the Grim Reaper(played by Matt Jones). After learning that he is on his way to the aftermath, Timmy convinces the Grim Reaper that he needs to eats a bowl of kimchi ramen before he passes. The two then go on an unintended late night adventure where they learn what it means to be human.

Is “Death And Ramen” Good?

Death and Ramen is a short and simple film that beautifully brings out genuine conversation and emotionally charged moments all within a blink of an eye. Bobby Lee and Matt Jones brought a sense of charm and light-hearted humor that could have easily turned this film towards a different direction, but Tiger Ji manages to guide these constitutionally funny actors in a way that breaks their usual type casting.

Bobby Lee’s performance in particular is one of the biggest highlights as he gives a performance that pulls the heart strings of its audience that makes them want to call their parents right after. This is all in lieu of the film’s writing which is filled with symbols and themes that…