LIANG PO PO VS AH BENG (梁婆婆 VS 阿炳) (2026)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Matt Lai
Cast: Jack Neo, Jack Lim, Danny Lee, Jestinna Kuan, Ivory Chia, Terence Cao, Yoke Tsang, Yu Zhi, Wayne Thong, Daniel, Beauty, Jovi Heng 
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 min
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: Golden Village
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 17 February 2026

Synopsis: An accident forces sharp-tongued Liang Po Po from Singapore & hot-blooded security guard Ah Beng from Malaysia to team up on a cross- border rescue mission. Though they clash at first, their fight against an organ trafficking syndicate turns mistrust into trust, and quarrels into partnership. Despite not being Xiao Yun’s “true father”, Ah Beng is willing to risk everything for her. And Liang Po Po, once misunderstood, quietly becomes an unlikely hero. This mismatched duo unexpectedly becomes the “Strongest Duo of Singapore and Malaysia.”

Movie Review:

There exists a strain of cinema designed with one primary objective: to entertain loudly, quickly, and without the burden of thematic depth. That formula is especially familiar during the Chinese New Year season, when audiences flock to cinemas for easy laughs and festive cheer rather than introspective storytelling.

Liang Po Po vs Ah Beng fits squarely into that category. It knows exactly what it is — a holiday crowd-pleaser — and leans heavily on the nostalgic appeal of two iconic characters beloved by audiences in Singapore and Malaysia.

Jack Neo's Liang Po Po and Jack Lim's Ah Beng have existed as comedic staples, their exaggerated quirks and dialect-infused humour striking a chord with fans on both sides of the Causeway. The film’s biggest selling point is the novelty of placing these two larger-than-life personalities in the same narrative space. The title suggests an all-out comedic showdown, a clash of egos and cultural stereotypes that promises fireworks. That expectation is somewhat subverted.

Rather than centring the story on direct rivalry, the plot pivots to a child kidnapping case set in Malaysia. The two titular characters become entangled in the situation, leading to a series of chaotic misadventures as they attempt to resolve the crisis. The kidnapping storyline provides a loose framework for the comedy, but the film never treats the premise with genuine tension. Instead, it functions as a vehicle for gags, misunderstandings, and broad physical humour.

Child actors Ivory Chia and Khoo Yu Zhi inject welcome energy into the proceedings, helping to offset the repetitive shouting matches between the adults. As a whole, the humour lands in uneven waves — some jokes hit squarely, particularly for long-time fans who understand the characters’ history and rhythms, while others feel stretched or overly reliant on noise.

The movie touches briefly on Singapore-Malaysia dynamics. Given the cross-border setting and the cultural identities of its leads, the opportunity to mine comedy from the friendly rivalry and subtle differences between the two nations is somewhat wasted. The film does gesture toward these themes near the end, poking fun at the relationship between neighbours. A sharper, more sustained comedic commentary could have elevated the material and united audiences from both countries in shared laughter.

As expected from many festive commercial releases, the film relies on companies to contribute to production costs, culminating in a particularly blatant promotional moment toward the finale. It’s not surprising, and it reminds viewers of the film’s commercial underpinnings.

Tonally, Liang Po Po vs Ah Beng is loud — characters shout, argue, and screech their way through many scenes. Subtlety is not on the menu. Yet perhaps that is part of its Chinese New Year charm, mirroring how the annual affair is colourful, excessive, and designed to be enjoyed with a crowd. The movie may not strive for sophistication, but for fans seeking uncomplicated laughter and familiar faces, it delivers exactly what it promises.

Movie Rating:

(Prioritising noise and nostalgia over narrative depth, this loud and chaotic CNY romp banks on its beloved icons Liang Po Po and Ah Beng to milk laughs)  

Review by John Li