The Believers

Besides the brilliant production quality of this show, it is a must watch for anyone curious about Thai culture and modern thai society. The show cleverly and subtly addresses many of the most important questions and debates in modern Thailand:

• The clash in the belief systems between the old generation and the new. Especially regarding the superstition/blind faith of the older generation vs the pragmatism of the younger.

• the role of Buddhism in Thai society; how many young thai see the Sangha as corrupt and conservative.

• the widespread belief (fact?) that the elite and politicians are above the law, and pulling the strings and are deeply corrupt, and the normal people suffer for this.

When viewed within this context the arc of the show makes total sense. The message at the end is simply a common commentary on Thai society in this day and age: That normal and smart young people cannot prosper in a Thailand where corrupt politicians and business people game the system and dominate it, and that Buddhism, though venerated and a positive thing, is manipulated and spread by those in power in order to pacify the masses.

Finally! I've been waiting for this kind of originality. This topic of budhism is semi forbidden to discuss but they nailed it to the head. I like how they also balanced out the good and the bad within the "belief business." They did it with such nuance and fairness that me as a viewer find entertaining and eye opening at the same time. You can be critical, fair, and respectful while also be skeptical about how things work behind closed door. I cannot wait for season 2. This is probably by far the best Thai Netflix serie to date.

A little note: find it a little annoying/ distracting when Win kept messing with his hair in difficult situations. But other than that they're good bunch.

This series nicely explores the intersection of religion, power, and profit. It delves into the murky waters of modern organized religion, where faith and cash collide. In fact, it seemed cash matters more than the religion itself at this point.

The concept is interesting, with strong performances by the lead cast, however some portrayal of the supposed 'ruthless businessman' might seem cringy at times. The evil shark loan personality and dialogues are somewhat comically evil. Yet, overall, it's still a great show. The series constantly introduces new arc and keeps you hooked throughout. For sure, A gem among Thai series on Netflix.

There were 3 reasons I really enjoyed this: 1. The show knew the story it wanted to tell and didn't drag or go all over the place, it immediately grabbed my attention and had me invested in what was going to happen next. I planned to watch an episode a day and that definitely ended up being the entire show in two days. I also can't recall feeling like the plot was being rushed or dragged at any point.

2. The show was well shot and didn't have so many awkward angles like a lot of Thai shows I've seen.

And 3. The characters were pretty well acted and believable, I didn't find any of them to be irritating or just over the top caricatures, they all seemed like real people with real problems and understandable reactions to their situations.

This was a fun watch and I can definitely see myself rewatching it.

"The Believers" (Sathu) is a Thai series that presents quality beyond expectations, telling a story that challenges thought and reveals issues often avoided in discussions within Thai society, such as religion, through the use of charming characters and impressive performances.

In this series, we do not encounter characters that are purely black or white. Characters like Phra Don illustrate complexity and the struggles occurring within them, while Win is portrayed as a character with both charm and emotional volatility, making the audience feel both admiration and frustration. This evokes a similar feeling to the character of the Professor in "Money Heist," who is filled with intelligence and charisma.

The storytelling of the series does more than entertain; it invites viewers to question beliefs and the issues present in society through the development of multidimensional characters and intense performances. Each episode allows us to explore feelings and thoughts from perspectives we have not encountered before.

The casting feels like a divine gift, bringing together talented actors that let us experience the true diversity of the characters. "The Believers" is not merely an entertaining series but also a meaningful medium that encourages us to pay attention to important issues in society in a straightforward manner.