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The Murderer (2023)

The Murderer (2023)

R

A Thai whodunit/dark comedy that feels fresh, familiar, and faithful to their genre conventions

7.2

Movie

Thailand
English, Thai
Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
2023
WISIT SASANATIENG
Eisaya Hosuwan, James Laver, Petchtai Wongkamlao
120 min

TLDR

A Scooby-Doo adventure if the adults were actually in-charge (and we all know why they weren't).

What it's about

After seven people are killed, a hot-headed detective is determined to prove that Earl, a British expat, is the culprit.

The take

Saturated colors, numerous plot twists, and a quirky hot-headed detective bring this whodunit murder mystery/dark comedy to life. On the eve of a big storm, Sai and her British husband Earl visit Sai's family's farmhouse, and the night ends in a gruesome mass murder. The horrific setup is quickly undercut by Detective Nawat who, convinced that Earl is the culprit, spouts ridiculous theories and changes the backstory of his intimidating scar. The melodrama lands well, as does the absurdity of the mystery, and the commentary on Thai-Foreign perceptions is successfully delivered, all of which helps the film fill out its unexpected two-hour runtime. 

What stands out

Wisit Sasanatieng's direction carries the weight of the production. From transitioning Detective Nawat's tangents into wacky, visually absurd hypotheticals to allowing for great comedic timing through medium shots during interrogations, Sasanatieng's choices encapsulate the best qualities and theatrics of a quirky mystery. Add the warm, vibrant color-grading (that's saturated but never distracting), and the mood of the film becomes its own unique take on all of the lovable parts of the whodunnit and dark comedy genres.

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