Left-Handed Girl: A real life narrative brought to the screen
Shih-Ching Tsou’s "Left-Handed Girl" tells the story of a Taiwanese girl confronting shame, family secrets, and societal expectations
From left, Shih-Yuan Ma, Shih-Ching Tsou, and Nina Ye.
Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix
Words by Rasha Goel
Left-Handed Girl arrives as a quietly arresting film showcasing a tender portrait of adolescence, identity, and the complicated space between childhood and adulthood. Directed by Shih-Ching Tsou, the film follows a 5-year-old Taiwanese girl, I-Jing (Nina Ye), grappling with what she fears to be her own “devil’s hand,” as her family unravels around her. Her mother, Shu-Fen (Janel Tsai), a noodle stall owner, juggles mounting financial problems while her rebellious older sister, I-Ann (Shih-Yuan Ma), is caught in the emotional wreckage of an affair with her married boss. As the turmoil intensifies, I-Jing begins to shoplift, her left hand seeming to move with a will of its own.
Tsou, known for her longtime creative partnership with Sean Baker on films like Take Out (2004) and several acclaimed indie projects, brings that same grounded, humanistic storytelling to her own work here. Her connection to this story is deeply personal: Tsou grew up surrounded by the cultural pressures and unspoken expectations—which she explores in the film, making Left-Handed Girl feel not just observational, but lived-in. Tsou, who grew up left-handed, was forced by her grandfather to use her right hand as her left hand was considered the devil’s hand. That lingering sense of shame stayed with her.
Tsou found Nina, now 9, who’s been acting in commercials since she was 3, through an agent. Shot entirely on iPhones, Left-Handed Girl is a raw, empathetic portrait of resilience, family secrets, and the pressures Asian women face in a society still bound by traditional expectations.
In our conversation, Tsou, Ye and Ma discuss the real-life inspirations behind the story, casting, the freedom in being a part of this team, and why this film speaks so strongly to anyone who’s ever felt pulled between who they are and who they’re expected to be.
Left-Handed Girl is streaming on Netflix and recently received two Critics Choice Association nominations: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Young Actress (Nina Ye).
Published on December 12, 2025
Words by Rasha Goel
Rasha Goel is a journalist and three-time Emmy-nominated host/producer. Her beats include entertainment and human interest. Rasha is curious about life and finds her greatest joy in telling stories of marginalized communities. She is also a Reiki practitioner and enjoys sharing her healing gifts with people. Follow her on Instagram at @rashagoel.