Netflix has dropped the first trailer for dark comedy thriller The Murderer, from cult Thai filmmaker Wisit Sasanatieng, which is the streamer’s first film in Thailand’s Isan dialect.
Set in the north-eastern region of Thailand, known as Isan, the film takes place on a dark and stormy night as the police race to find the person responsible for a massacre in an isolated area. The trailer offers a glimpse into the investigation, hinting at the film’s many twists and turns.
As the film features local characters from the Isan region, it went through a meticulous casting process. Both the lead and supporting actors had to be of Isan descent and proficient in speaking the dialect.
Produced by Thailand’s Transformation Films, the film is scripted by Abishek J. Bajaj and stars Phetthai Vongkhamlao, Eisaya Hosuwan, James Laver, Sunaree Ratchasima and Sawanee Utoomma.
As director Wisit explains, Isan films tend to be simple rural comedies but The Murderer combines murder mystery, dark comedy and highly stylized visuals to break out of this mold.
“The screenplay is full of humor and satire,” Wisit says. “It reflects our society and current circumstances, such as the media’s sensationalization of murder cases. Many cases are eerily similar and the audience desires to know the truth. This movie’s screenplay is based on people’s curiosity. When we consume media, we only see what is presented to us – we seldom know the whole truth. This movie will enlighten us on what reality is like.”
The film features Wisit’s signature vivid colors, across both sets and costumes, reminiscent of his previous works, Tears Of The Black Tiger and Citizen Dog, which became cult favourites.
Wisit adds that, during filming, the crew couldn’t find a studio large enough to accommodate all the scenes within the required timeframe. To overcome this challenge, they found a house suitable for filming and covered it with massive tentage, so they could film day and night, free from adverse weather conditions.
The film is set to stream on Netflix from July 27.
