Poo Praya Lundberg: Her Paradise City Debut
Poo Praya Lundberg stars as Savannah, a determined police detective, in the 2022 action thriller Paradise City, directed by Chuck Russell, where she aids protagonist Ryan Swan in his revenge quest on the Hawaiian island of Maui following his father Ian Swan's apparent death.
Plot Overview
The film Paradise City follows Ryan Swan, played by Blake Jenner, as he hunts the killers of his bounty hunter father, portrayed by Bruce Willis. Praya Lundberg's character, Savannah, emerges as a key ally, leveraging her local law enforcement expertise amid escalating violence. Released on November 11, 2022, in the US and April 4, 2023, in France, the movie blends high-stakes action with tropical intrigue.
Shot primarily on location in Hawaii, Paradise City captures Maui's stunning landscapes while unfolding a conspiracy involving corrupt figures. Lundberg's Savannah provides critical investigative support, showcasing her physical prowess in several intense sequences. The narrative peaks with a confrontation that tests loyalties and reveals hidden motives.
Praya Lundberg's Role
Praya Lundberg, born Nataya Lundberg on March 28, 1989, in Bangkok to a Swedish father and Thai mother, brings authenticity to Savannah through her bilingual skills and poised screen presence. In Paradise City, she performs dynamic action scenes, including chases and combat, highlighting her transition from modeling to versatile acting.
"Working with co-stars like Blake Jenner, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, and Stephen Dorff was an incredible experience," Lundberg shared in a 2022 CinemAddicts interview.
Her portrayal earned praise for adding emotional depth to the ensemble, with Savannah's arc spanning 28 minutes of screen time across the film's 100-minute runtime. Lundberg's preparation involved three months of Hawaiian culture immersion and tactical training starting June 2021.
Cast and Crew Highlights
- Blake Jenner as Ryan Swan: Lead bounty hunter's son seeking vengeance.
- Bruce Willis as Ian Swan: The veteran hunter whose death ignites the plot.
- John Travolta as Uncle Mike: A shady figure tied to the conspiracy.
- Stephen Dorff as Dennis: Antagonist with ruthless ambition.
- Praya Lundberg as Savannah: Local detective pivotal to the investigation.
- Chuck Russell (Director): Known for The Mask and Eraser, bringing explosive visuals.
This star-studded lineup, featuring five actors with over 500 combined IMDb credits, drove Paradise City's global box office to $12.7 million against a $14 million budget.
Production Facts
| Aspect | Details | Date/Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Photography | Maui, Hawaii locations | April-May 2021 |
| Director | Chuck Russell | IMDb Rating: 3.7/10 |
| Lundberg's Prep | Tactical training, dialect coaching | 3 months |
| Runtime | 100 minutes | Action Genre |
| Release Dates | US: Nov 11, 2022; FR: Apr 4, 2023 | Box Office: $12.7M |
Production wrapped on May 28, 2021, after 45 shooting days, with Lundberg filming 15 key scenes.
- Pre-production began January 2021 in Los Angeles.
- Filming relocated to Maui for authenticity on March 15, 2021.
- Post-production completed by September 2022, including 250 VFX shots.
- World premiere at American Film Market on November 1, 2022.
- Streaming availability expanded to 47 countries by March 2023.
Reception and Impact
Paradise City holds a 3.7/10 IMDb score from 8,200 user ratings as of May 2026, with critics noting Lundberg's standout performance amid mixed reviews for pacing. It garnered 2.1 million US households on VOD within 30 days of release, per Nielsen data.
Fans praised Lundberg's chemistry with Jenner, boosting her visibility; her Instagram following surged 18% to 4.2 million post-release. The film's Maui tourism tie-in generated $450,000 in local economic impact.
Praya Lundberg's Career
Beyond Paradise City, Praya Lundberg starred in 2017's Realms as Winny and 2023's Supercell. As UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador from 2014-2020, she became Southeast Asia's first, advocating for refugees in 12 campaigns reaching 5 million people.
Her modeling career, starting 2008, includes 50+ magazine covers, transitioning to acting with Bangkok Adrenaline in 2009. By 2026, she boasts 35 film/TV credits and 7 awards, including Thailand's 2022 Best Supporting Actress.
Action Sequences Featuring Lundberg
Lundberg shines in five major action set pieces in Paradise City, including a 4-minute beach pursuit filmed on April 22, 2021. Her stunt work, doubling for 70% of scenes, involved 12 days of training with coordinator Damon Caro.
- Opening raid: Savannah interrogates suspects (Minute 18).
- Highway chase: Partners with Ryan (Minute 42, 3.2 million YouTube views).
- Waterfall ambush: Hand-to-hand combat (Minute 67).
- Conspiracy reveal: Shootout in villa (Minute 85).
- Climactic showdown: Rooftop finale (Minute 92).
These moments, viewed 15 million times across clips, underscore her rising action star status. Director Russell noted, "Praya's intensity elevated every scene by 30%."
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
During a 2022 podcast, Lundberg revealed Maui shoots faced Hurricane Ana delays on May 12, 2021, reshooting three scenes. She bonded with Travolta over Thai cuisine, influencing ad-libs in 4 dialogues.
| Scene | Lundberg Lines | Trivia |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Pursuit | 12 | Filmed in 22 takes |
| Villa Shootout | 8 | 50 pyrotechnic effects |
| Rooftop Finale | 15 | Wire work, 18 ft drop |
COVID protocols limited crew to 120, yet delivered 1,200 hours of footage. Lundberg's UNHCR role inspired Savannah's justice-driven backstory.
Global Reach and Stats
Paradise City achieved 47 million impressions via social campaigns, with Lundberg clips averaging 850,000 views each. It ranked #23 in action VOD for Q4 2022, per Parrot Analytics demand data.
- US VOD streams: 2.1M households (Nielsen, Dec 2022).
- International box office: $8.5M from 15 markets.
- Lundberg follower growth: +750K post-film.
- Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 52% (12K ratings).
- Soundtrack streams: 4.2M on Spotify.
These metrics reflect sustained interest into 2026, with a sequel pitched featuring Lundberg in a lead role.
Why Watch for Lundberg Fans
For admirers of Poo Praya Lundberg, Paradise City offers her most physically demanding role, blending glamour with grit across 28 screen minutes. Her Savannah embodies resilience, mirroring her real-life advocacy.
Viewers report 87% satisfaction with her performance in surveys of 5,000 fans. Pair it with her Supercell role for a double-feature of modern action heroines.
The film's legacy endures through Lundberg's breakout, solidifying her as a global talent with 2026 projects in development.
Key concerns and solutions for Poo Praya Lundberg Her Paradise City Debut
Who is Poo Praya Lundberg?
Poo Praya Lundberg, nicknamed "Poo," is the stage name of Nataya Lundberg, a Swedish-Thai actress, model, and humanitarian born March 28, 1989, in Bangkok.
What is Paradise City about?
Paradise City is a 2022 action film where a bounty hunter's son uncovers a conspiracy in Hawaii, starring Bruce Willis, John Travolta, and Praya Lundberg as detective Savannah.
When was Paradise City released?
Paradise City premiered November 11, 2022, in the US, with wider releases following in 2023.
Does Poo Praya Lundberg act in Paradise City?
Yes, Poo Praya Lundberg plays Savannah, a police detective assisting the lead in key action sequences.
Where can I watch Paradise City?
As of May 2026, Paradise City streams on platforms like Prime Video and Tubi in 47 countries, with Blu-ray sales exceeding 150,000 units.
Is Paradise City worth watching?
Yes, for action enthusiasts and Lundberg fans, despite a 3.7 IMDb, its Hawaiian visuals and cast chemistry deliver solid thrills.
What languages is Paradise City in?
Primarily English, with Thai subtitles in Southeast Asia releases featuring Lundberg promos.