
To Be Ordinary follows a family reshaped by a devastating car accident, a new home funded by compensation, and the difficult emotional cost of survival. This Taiwanese drama examines caregiving, guilt, hope and family bonds through the perspective of a young man whose life changes permanently.
To Be Ordinary is a 2026 Taiwanese drama about the lasting consequences of a car accident. At its center is a 22-year-old man who becomes bound to a wheelchair, while his family adjusts to a new reality shaped by care, compensation and unresolved guilt.
Directed by Robin Lee, the film brings together questions of responsibility, hope and family unity without reducing the accident to a single moment. Its story also follows the tensions that emerge when material security is tied to another person’s suffering.
To Be Ordinary movie details
| Title | To Be Ordinary |
|---|---|
| Original title | 有用的人 |
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 1h 52m |
| Genres | Drama |
| Director | Robin Lee |
| Writers | Robin Lee, Ginger Wang |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Languages | Mandarin |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
After a car accident leaves a 22-year-old man permanently dependent on a wheelchair, the elderly driver responsible provides his family with a house and monthly compensation. Although these measures offer practical support, the driver remains unable to forgive himself.
The young man’s mother holds on to the belief that life still offers hope, while his unemployed father dedicates himself to caregiving. During rehabilitation, the physical therapist working with him quietly develops feelings for him. Meanwhile, the family begins eating dinner together each night, creating a delicate sense of closeness.
That apparent stability is complicated by the younger sister, who understands what the new house represents. For her, the family’s improved circumstances are inseparable from the bodily cost her brother has paid.

What to expect
As a drama, To Be Ordinary is centered on family relationships and the emotional aftermath of a life-changing injury. The premise points to a story about caregiving, guilt, dependence and the uneasy relationship between financial compensation and genuine healing.
The film also includes a rehabilitation storyline and a quiet romantic element involving the physical therapist. Rather than presenting recovery as a simple solution, its setup places hope alongside grief, practical hardship and the family’s awareness of what cannot be restored.
Cast and creative team
To Be Ordinary is directed by Robin Lee, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ginger Wang. The cast includes Weber Yang, Winnie Chang, Hsieh Chan-jung, Chen Pin-hsuan, Liang Hsiu-shen, Phoebe Chu, Jacqueline Zhu, Lien Yu-han, Danny Liang and Akira Huang.
- Weber Yang
- Winnie Chang
- Hsieh Chan-jung
- Chen Pin-hsuan
- Liang Hsiu-shen
- Phoebe Chu
- Jacqueline Zhu
- Lien Yu-han
- Danny Liang
- Akira Huang
Release and production context
To Be Ordinary is a Taiwanese production from Goer Film Co., Ltd. It is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of November 13, 2026. The film is in Mandarin and has a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. Its listed status is Released.
Production companies: Goer Film Co., Ltd.
To Be Ordinary official trailer
Watch the official trailer on YouTube
Movies Dock view
With its focus on a family living with the consequences of a permanent injury, To Be Ordinary presents a measured dramatic premise built around care, guilt and complicated forms of support. The film’s central conflict comes from the gap between the security the family gains and the painful reason it was made possible.
Frequently asked questions
What is To Be Ordinary about?
It follows a 22-year-old man who becomes bound to a wheelchair after a car accident and the family changes that follow, including caregiving, compensation and questions of responsibility.
Who directed To Be Ordinary?
Robin Lee directed the film and co-wrote it with Ginger Wang.
What language is To Be Ordinary in?
The film is in Mandarin.
When is To Be Ordinary released?
The listed release date is November 13, 2026.
How long is To Be Ordinary?
The runtime is 1 hour and 52 minutes.















