Girl from Nowhere

While not the most technically proficient series, 'Girl From Nowhere" is entertaining, perplexing and totally Thai. Most of the episodes end up with morality tales that don't always fit western mores. You almost expect typical lessons learned, but this show surprises with its sophistication in grappling with societal issues, especially involving young people. It doesn't take itself too seriously, dropping in scenes (like the one in ep 2 with the main character dancing to herself in the schoolyard) that you don't expect. The acting is not that great although the main character is played admirably by a stoic-faced Chicha Amatayakul. Her devious, trouble-making actions put all other characters in tricky positions they have work their way through. Amatayakul's inscrutable demeanor captures the coldness of this mythic creature, whose origins we are never sure of, then explodes with wicked laughter at the malleability for evil in all humans. She carries the series. Special note should be made of the music which is wonderfully low-key and unobtrusive, used sparingly at the right moments to elevate the action. The theme song is equally fine with its Brian Jonestown Massacre shoegaze vibe.

This Thai series is centred on mysterious school girl Nanno. She starts most episodes in a new school where she quickly starts to shake things up; turning the tables on those who abuse their positions... teachers, senior students or just those whose popularity makes others follow them. It soon becomes apparent that Nanno isn't a normal girl; she often returns from being killed! In some episode she comes across as an avenging angel, in others a malevolent spirit bent on destroying those she has targeted for vengeance.

This series is hard to classify; at times it is horrific and violent; at others it is comical and sometimes it is both. Nanno is a delightfully ambiguous protagonist; her maniacal laughter is quite disturbing. There is a fair amount of violence, some of it quite bloody as well as many disturbing moments. The way the stories progress means that the viewer will initially be firmly behind what Nanno is doing; then when she takes things further the viewer is left feeling somewhat complicit. Chicha Amatayakul does a really fine job as Nanno and the rest of the cast are solid. Some viewers are less keen on season two but I thought it was just as good as the first and liked the addition of a second Nanno-like character... this one even more vengeful. Overall I'd certainly recommend this series even though its somewhat disturbing storylines will mean it won't be for everybody.

These comments are based on watching the series in Thai with English subtitles.

This series actually has a promising premise, but in practice it seems to have lost its way. Some episodes really have viewers on the edge of their seats, some episodes are subpar. And please note, that all the settings are in schools so the development of the story is limited. For me personally, it should only be 8 episodes, not 13 episodes.

I don't know what the heck Nanno is but she serves the best justice.

Horror series. Great mood. Kind of J-horror crossed with outer limits crossed with grindhouse. Very naturalistic setting And performances, but insert this super creepy lead actress. Definitely uncomfortable, which is a good thing for a piece of art like this. I like that it doesn't give away where it's going as a series right away.

I predict this will be remade in US in English. It's good enough and different enough.