Forge is a 2026 American crime drama and dark comedy movie written and directed by Jing Ai Ng in her feature-film debut. The movie stars Andie Ju, Brandon Soo Hoo, Kelly Marie Tran, and Edmund Donovan. The story blends stylish crime-thriller tension with emotional family drama, creating a movie that feels both intense and personal.
The film follows siblings Coco and Raymond Zhang, who secretly operate an art forgery business from their family restaurant in Miami, Florida. Their lives become more dangerous when a wealthy millionaire hires them to recreate priceless paintings while FBI agent Emily Lee investigates a growing wave of counterfeit artwork. The movie premiered at SXSW and later received praise for its suspenseful storytelling and strong performances.
Forge was released in the United States on May 15, 2026, through Utopia. The movie mixes themes of family loyalty, crime, cultural identity, and moral choices with the style of classic late-1990s crime thrillers.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Forge |
| Genre | Crime Drama, Dark Comedy |
| Director/Writer | Jing Ai Ng |
| Starring | Kelly Marie Tran, Andie Ju, Brandon Soo Hoo, Edmund Donovan |
| Runtime | 1h 54m |
| Age Rating | R |
| Release Date | May 15, 2026 |
| Distributor | Utopia |
Forge Age Rating
Forge is officially rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong language and mature thematic material. The movie contains frequent profanity, criminal activity, stressful situations, and adult conversations that make it more suitable for mature viewers.
Although the film is not heavily violent, it includes tense scenes involving FBI investigations, deception, threats, and emotional pressure. The story focuses on crime and moral ambiguity, which may be difficult for younger viewers to fully understand. There are also mild references to alcohol, smoking, and adult relationships throughout the film.
An R rating means viewers under 17 should watch with a parent or adult guardian. Movies with this rating often include strong language, mature themes, violence, or adult situations that may not be appropriate for children or younger teens.
Is Forge Suitable for Kids?
Forge is not suitable for young children or most younger teens. The movie deals with crime, forgery, family pressure, and difficult moral choices in a mature way. While there is very little graphic violence or sexual content, the strong language and adult themes make it better suited for older audiences.
Teens ages 16–17 may be able to understand the story with parental guidance, especially if they enjoy crime dramas and suspense films. Parents should know that the movie focuses heavily on emotional tension and ethical conflicts rather than action or comedy.
Age-by-Suitability Table
| Age Group | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Ages 3–7 | No, not suitable for young children. |
| Ages 8–12 | No, not recommended for this age group. |
| Teens (13–15) | Viewer discretion advised due to strong language and mature themes. |
| Teens (16–17) | Yes, with parental guidance. |
| Adults | Yes, suitable for mature audiences. |
Forge Parents Guide
- Sex & Nudity: Forge contains mild sexual references and a few suggestive conversations between adults. There is no graphic nudity or explicit sexual content shown on screen. Romantic tension is present but remains limited.
- Violence & Gore: Violence in Forge is mostly psychological and emotional rather than graphic. The movie includes tense confrontations, threats, arguments, and scenes involving criminal investigations. There are no extreme fight scenes or graphic gore.
- Profanity: Strong language is used frequently throughout the movie. Characters often use adult profanity during stressful situations and arguments related to the forgery operation and FBI investigation.
- Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: The film includes social drinking in party and restaurant settings. Brief smoking is shown, but drug use is minimal.
- Frightening & Intense Scenes: Some scenes may feel intense because of the constant fear of getting caught, family conflicts, and emotional pressure. The suspense and moral tension may be stressful for younger viewers.
Tips for Parents
Parents may want to preview Forge before allowing younger teens to watch it. The movie opens discussions about crime, honesty, family loyalty, and the consequences of illegal actions. Watching together can help parents talk about the ethical choices made by the characters and the pressures faced by immigrant families in the story.
Forge Official Trailer
The official trailer for Forge is expected to be released closer to the movie’s wider distribution date.
As of now, Forge was released on May 15, 2026, by Utopia.
FAQs
Q1: What is the age rating for Forge?
Forge is rated R for strong language and mature themes related to crime and deception.
Q2: Is Forge suitable for teenagers?
Older teens ages 16–17 may watch Forge with parental guidance, but younger teens may find the mature themes and profanity inappropriate.
Q3: Does Forge contain graphic violence?
No, Forge focuses more on psychological tension and emotional conflict than graphic violence or gore.
Q4: Is there sexual content in Forge?
Forge includes mild suggestive dialogue and adult conversations, but there are no explicit sexual scenes or graphic nudity.
Q5: Where can I watch Forge?
Forge premiered at SXSW and was released by Utopia, but streaming availability has not yet been officially confirmed.