L'Ombre rebelle

"The Shadow Strays" is marked by its shocking gore and unrestrained, exaggerated violence, but it lacks depth. It follows the familiar trope of a skilled assassin who, weary of her secretive existence, risks everything to save someone she hardly knows.

Thirteen (Aurora Ribero), a 17-year-old assassin with a compassionate side, takes on a formidable Jakarta crime syndicate after they threaten her young neighbor, Monji (Ali Fikry). Monji's mother, Mirasti (Jesyca Marlein), was a sex worker exploited by the brutal pimp Haga (Agra Piliang), who is linked to the sleazy nightclub owner Ariel (Andri Mashadi) and his politically influential father, Soemitro (Arswendy Bening Swara). After Haga murders Monji's mother, Thirteen forms a bond with him and finds herself in a deadly game of cat and mouse with Haga, Ariel, and their associates. A series of gruesome and dramatic showdowns decimate their ranks.

The film drags on with relentless fighting and lacks the substance needed to unify its elements. While the cinematography is commendable, some early fight scenes are poorly executed, featuring adversaries lined up to be taken down one by one. This isn't the kind of movie I'll get excited for.

If it weren't for a meandering third act I would have easily given this film 10 stars.

I don't know how this film is rating so poorly. This film is one spectacular scene after another. The choreography unique, brutal and beautiful. Beyond the action we have a run of the mill revenge plot but it works. The character motivations are simple but extremely effective. The Silat is the best I've seen since the Raid films.

As I mentioned before the final act is underwhelming. The pacing in the first two acts was amazing but everything breaks down near the end. Still if you are looking for a straight forward action film look no further.

Basic story. Awesome fights. Lead actress did a fantastic job. Fight choreography fast and furious. A must watch action movie for action lovers. For that budget the movie had rich look, needs to appreciate director and also cinematographer. Occasionally felt some moves are kind of seemed jarred because of camera angles but overall the action moves are fantastic. If you hate lots of bloodshed and gore watching this movie is bit difficult. Lead actress Aurora did justified the role. Along with the action she also able to act though not much needed for this role. Overall this movie doesn't disappoint you.

Directed and written by Timo Tjahjanto. A runtime of two hours and twenty-four minutes. Streaming on Netflix with a TVMA rating.

"13," played by Aurora Ribero, is young but already an elite assassin. She's seventeen and a part of a group of assassins called "The Shadows."

"13" is being trained by "Umbra," played by Hana Malasan. She is probably one of, if not the deadliest, assassin "The Shadows" have. "Umbra" is usually cutthroat, but for some reason, she holds a little special spot for "13."

After a mission they just went on didn't go the smoothest. Their "Handler," played by Kin Wah Chew, puts "13" on ice. Sending her home to await further instruction.

Pissed about her consequences and bored being back in civilization. "13" takes a liking to a little boy named "Monji," played by Ali Fikry, that lives in her complex.

"Monji" mother was mixed up in some mess with a local crime family. After noticing some bad events that happened to "Monji" and with his random disappearance. "13" has had enough and feels compelled to help.

After seeing "Jeki," played by Kristo Immanuel, snooping around "Monji" apartment. She uses that as an entry point to find him. Will "13" not only be able to find "Monji" and conquer whoever is holding him too? But will she also potentially get reprimanded for not laying low? Sticking her nose in business that has nothing to do with her. In this fast-paced action film.

"The Shadow Strays" was an action film lover's dream. That opening scene was fire. It was so good, I don't think any other scene lived up to it. Maybe the ending, but that opening scene was something else. It set the tone.

Some things were a bit of a miss or could've used a little more explaining. I got confused in spots. But I still had fun watching it. The action was top-tier and toward the end. They showed Yayan Ruhian, who plays "Master Burai."

If Yayan is in it, then you know it's real. He doesn't have a big scene in this film, but they made it clear that if they do a sequel, he will.

This film kind of reminded me of "The Assassin" and the TV series "House of Ninjas." It also had "Ong Bak" and "The Protector" vibes because of the Muay Thai fighting style.

A great action film that does justice to the consumer. I love action films that have great hand-to-hand combat and can also get busy with the gunplay. Sign me up for the sequel right now. I give this film five mor fires 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.

#TheShadowStrays.

Let me just say the movie is worth a watch for sure. It has great fight scenes and a cliche but serviceable plot. My main issue with this movie is the finale and just how silly it gets. There is a big shootout in the movie that is just horribly done and every sequence that involves a gun is badly done. There is not consistency or any realism to it. Now don't get me wrong I'm not looking for any realism in this movie but at some point it just starts to get jarring. It also drags on for way to long, there is another sequence after the main finale that should just have been cut. It's another one of those movie that suffers from a horrible final act. Overall it's a great first time watch but I personally wouldn't rewtach. The Night Comes for Us is the better movie for sure.