After The Shadow Strays, Watch the Directors Equally Bloody The Big 4

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As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for offbeat comedies and action-packed thrillers, I must say that The Big 4 has left me utterly enthralled! It’s not every day you come across a movie that seamlessly blends sunny vacation settings, blood-soaked violence, and cartoonish humor in such an exhilarating fashion.

The film titled “The Shadow Strays” is a highly acclaimed Indonesian martial arts assassin movie that’s been garnering success since its recent addition to Netflix. Written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto with a distinct artistic vision, the narrative revolves around a teenage assassin who finds himself in a mission to save a young boy whose mother perished during a perilous operation. Boasting top-notch production quality and unrelenting action sequences, The Shadow Strays has been praised by critics.

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Luckily for fans of “The Shadow Strays,” they can look forward to another delightful experience with the action-comedy “The Big 4,” another film by Tjahjanto that is available on Netflix. This movie offers witty dark humor and a fun-packed watch, showcasing Tjahjanto’s versatility as a director, marking a significant improvement in his craft from his beginnings in short horror films.

What Is The Shadow Strays About?

On October 17, 2024, the intense Indonesian action film “The Shadow Strays” will premiere exclusively on Netflix, written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto. This original Netflix production is packed with extreme violence. In this movie, Aurora Ribero plays a 17-year-old assassin named 13 who works for an organization known as The Shadow.

During her break in Jakarta for a psychiatric evaluation, character 13 encounters an 11-year-old boy named Monji (Ali Fikri) and his mother. Despite experiencing recurring nightmares about her own mother, she is administered psychological medication by her superiors. Tragically, 13 witnesses the violent death of Monji’s mother. Moved by their shared loss, she forms a bond with the boy and accompanies him to visit her grave.

13’s bold world travels lead her to Cambodia, where she bravely clashes with several questionable Shadow members and illicit drug networks. Although rescuing Monji from danger is her main objective, helping 13 confront and heal from her lingering family traumas by avenging the boy’s mother is an important part of the journey. A powerful narrative of friendship, camaraderie, and surrogate motherhood lies at the heart of The Shadow Strays, with its intense action sequences serving as a backdrop to its deep emotional resonance. Fans who have already enjoyed this film should not miss out on Tjahjanto’s equally entertaining foray into the dark-comedy action subgenre.

What Is The Big 4 About?

On December 15, 2022, Netflix premiered the show titled “The Big 4“, which is a grimly humorous action series backdropped by sunny Bali, Indonesia. The duo of Tjahjanto and Johanna Wattimena penned this piece. The title alludes to the four grown-up children adopted by Petrus (Budi Ros), a clandestine assassin tutor. Among them is his daughter Dina (Putri Marino), who diligently works as a by-the-book police detective.

When Petrus is unexpectedly killed, the four timid and inexperienced killers – Topan (Abimana Aryasatya), Alpha (Lutesha), Jengo (Arie Kriting), and Pelor (Kristo Immanuel) – flee to hide. Simultaneously, Dina arrives on the island to probe into her father’s demise, setting her on a path destined to cross with the four hired guns. However, as it appears that Dina is about to apprehend the bungling assassins, she teams up with them instead to take down her father’s vengeful adversaries.

As the four retired assassins shake off the dust and get back into action, there’s plenty of laughter and mischief, all presented with a lighthearted, comedic twist that counteracts the intense violence and gory scenes. Despite some instances where the humor might seem stretched or overly prolonged, the combination of a vibrant holiday atmosphere, brutal action, and exaggerated comedy results in an incredibly entertaining viewing experience.

Without a doubt, The Big 4 demonstrates that Timo Tjahjanto is an exceptionally gifted filmmaker who deserves close attention in the years ahead. Horror enthusiasts have already seen evidence of this when he unleashed the chilling “Safe Haven” segment in V/H/S/2 back in 2013. Over the past decade, his skills as a storyteller and technician have grown significantly, which can be attributed to the resources available to him. With Netflix’s ongoing support providing him more time and funds, Timo Tjahjanto’s potential is seemingly boundless.

Why The Shadow Stray Fans Should Watch The Big 4

Aficionados of “The Shadow Strays” will undoubtedly appreciate “The Big 4”, as it combines the bizarre and absurd with action elements in a unique way that Tjahjanto excels at. His filmmaking style leans towards chaotic spectacle and deliberate illogic, and in “The Big 4”, this approach reaches its zenith. The action sequences are less rigidly structured and more fluid, creating a film where the director seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself as he challenges and redefines expectations within the genre of gangster-assassin stories.

Despite a few misses with jokes and an overly extended runtime, “The Big 4” is still a delight to watch due to its grandiose humor. Its wide comedic appeal has propelled it to international success on Netflix, making it the second most-watched non-English movie or show in its debut week according to Variety. Remarkably, this film managed to secure a spot in the Top 10 in as many as 53 countries, including Indonesia, Argentina, Finland, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

For this purpose, “The Big Four” has achieved a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, boosted by an 81% Audience Score that underscores its wide-ranging appeal. Notably, Roger Ebert’s critic Brian Tallerico praised the film for its vibrant energy, remarking positively about it.

The “Big 4” shines brightest when it’s most absurdly entertaining, be it the spectacular initial confrontation or a captivating later sequence where Topan must defend himself from two antagonists hidden beyond a door, all while keeping Dina unaware of any violence.

In a more casual and straightforward manner: Lio embraces his villain character with an impressive beard, an odd amount of knives strapped on him, and a wardrobe that appears tailored for his menacing growls. While the over-the-top action in “The Big 4” might grab most viewers’ attention, the acting talent across the cast is commendable, particularly from Lio, Marino, and Aryasatya.

Currently, there’s no confirmed news about a sequel for Tjahjanto’s “The Big 4” being in development. However, with the series available on Netflix, fans of “The Shadow Strays” can still immerse themselves in the excitement that “The Big 4” offers.

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2024-11-03 23:37