Jack Neo responds to hate comments for his latest film, 'I Want to Be Boss'

Singaporean filmmaker Jack Neo has responded to hate comments targeted at his latest film, "I Want To Be Boss".

He shared his take during a livestream on his Facebook account.

The video went live on Jan. 31, 2025.

What Jack Neo said

In his response, Neo highlighted the rigorous process involved in filmmaking.

The process, he said, included scriptwriting and discussions with cinema companies in Singapore and Malaysia:

"The process is very tough, but it’s not just about hitting a quota. We take every detail seriously."

Neo also said the film team regularly invites people to watch raw versions of their films.

They then collect feedback to make adjustments before the final release.

"We never carelessly make movies," Neo said. "It’s a meticulous process, and we work hard from start to finish."

Thus, he expressed frustration over what he deemed were malicious reviews of his product:

"I am like the parent of this film. I need to speak out because I’ve heard people say the film is bad and discourage others from watching it. I ask you to trust that we’ve put this film through many processes before releasing it."

Neo also appealed to the public not to influence others negatively, adding that everyone has different opinions:

"If you didn’t enjoy the film, that’s your opinion, but please don’t tell others not to watch it."

Given Singapore's small film industry, Neo called for mutual support and respect among filmmakers.

"It’s not fair to stop people from watching our films," he said. "None of my films are done carelessly. Please put your trust in me."

The director also acknowledged the raw nature of the live broadcast.

"If I have offended anyone, I ask for your understanding. This is my first time receiving less support from the public."

What the cast shared

Some of the film's cast were also present during the video.

This included actor Henry Thia and actresses Patricia Mok, Jae Liew and Aileen Tan.

Mok mentioned that her friends had positive reactions and noted increased conversations around artificial intelligence (AI) since the movie’s release.

Tan encouraged viewers not to believe negative reviews and to watch the film for themselves:

"If you hear people saying the movie wasn’t good, don’t believe them. Buy a ticket and watch it for yourself."

Liew said that while she is typically a critical viewer, she was pleasantly surprised by the film's outcome.

"Go with an open mind," said Liew, advising those who may be critical.

"Watch it, and then you can share your thoughts with us."

Hate comments

Several hate comments were directed at the movie's trailer posted on YouTube.

One viewer under the YouTube account Peter-vk5ih said this was Neo's "worst movie".

Some supporters

There were, however, comments that expressed their support.

A viewer under the YouTube account jasoneng2568 said Neo's films "reflect Singaporean life in a relatable and meaningful way".

Film's earnings

Despite the hate, the film was the top-performing movie in Singapore on Chinese New Year's Eve.

It raked in over S$1 million at the local box office.

The film also achieved more than RM2.8 million (S$853,000) in earnings in Malaysia.

Top image from Golden Village and @JackNeoCK on Facebook