Name: The Donut King
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2020-03-17T11:15:24-07:00
Rating: 97

critics consensus

A documentary that's more than just a sweetly filling treat, The Donut King tells a real-life rags-to-riches story with genuine depth and breadth. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy builds a multi-million dollar empire by baking America's favorite pastry -- the donut.

Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Alice Gu
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 30, 2020 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 20, 2020
Runtime:

1h 30m
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Ted Ngoy
Self

Alice Gu
Director

Critic Reviews for The Donut King

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (1)

It's a dizzying saga of ups and downs, and of one of this nation's most beloved sweet treats, and a fascinating tale of sacrifice, success, and hubris.

November 29, 2020 | Full Review…

Alonso Duralde
TheWrap
[I]t's a fine yarn spiced up with moments of hip hop, animation and pop culture references, all packaged nicely in something like the hot-pink doughnut boxes that the cruller maestro Ngoy supposedly invented.

November 26, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Brad Wheeler
Globe and Mail
Ted Ngoy, his wife and family pick up the story and walk us through their unbelievable experience, flying to a strange new country where they didn't speak our language and had to start life anew. We follow their path to success beyond their wildest dreams

November 10, 2020 | Full Review…

Leonard Maltin
leonardmaltin.com
The story behind the documentary "The Donut King" is large and it contains multitudes.

November 2, 2020 | Full Review…

Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
Not only is it a fascinating portrait of this particular Cambodian refugee, Ted Ngoy, but it also is about the culture of doughnut shops in L.A., which are so iconic.

October 30, 2020 | Full Review…

Claudia Puig
FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
It becomes this global story about immigration, ambition, hope, community -- and it's got a really terrific soundtrack.

October 30, 2020 | Full Review…

Amy Nicholson
FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
Gu keeps The Donut King an upbeat affair.

January 26, 2021 | Rating: 3.0/4.0 | Full Review…

Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Most of all, the main narrative offers inspiration, which is particularly pertinent at such a troubled time in our world.

November 21, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Craig Takeuchi
NOW Toronto
Director Alice Gu uses some creative editing choices to reveal a shocking twist to the life story of a fast food entrepreneur, before stickhandling a sweet ending to her documentary.

November 20, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Chris Knight
National Post
Not all of these elements sit comfortably together, based upon the film's structure and some rushed tonal transitions. Yet it's the strength of the story, and its twists, that sustains the piece, and it's a laudable effort.

November 20, 2020 | Full Review…

Craig Takeuchi
Georgia Straight
It's as layered as a cronut and just as admirable and innovative of a creation.

November 17, 2020 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Andrew Parker
The Gate
It's incredible watching him be so honest and positive about the complete breakdown of his professional and personal worlds.

November 17, 2020 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Steven Prokopy
Third Coast Review