The Believers

I haven't seen a Thai series that tells a story with such boldness and fun in a long time. Usually, if a series aims to expose "social issues," it "tends not to be enjoyable" because it's too heavy to watch comfortably. And if the series is fun, the plot often lacks depth. But this series manages to do both. The storyline has a heist-film vibe and features characters that are both charming and highly human. It's rare to see a Thai series with a well-defined trio of characters like this.

The series makes us root for the main characters, even though we know they are "not good people." It offers multiple perspectives, showing us why these people who exploit religion do what they do. The series is well-rounded, with humor, drama, love, family, and a touch of investigation that comes in towards the end, making me eager to see more of this aspect in Season 2.

What I love the most is the unpredictability of the characters. We have no idea how things will end for them, especially Win, who has both very dark and very light sides that are hard to separate. He's an incredibly well-written and interesting character.

This is a must-watch Thai original series that I highly recommend. It brings together an astonishing cast that is truly impressive. You don't need to be invested in Buddhism to enjoy it, as its concept can make you think of other similar "markets" that are equally unsettling, whether they be other religions or certain non-profit organizations.

However, if you are invested... you know... you will be even more deeply engaged with what the series 'Sathu' is trying to convey.

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.

I personally admire the idea and key message of the series. Religion and Thai cultures are indeed rooted in people believing.

I also have questions about the underneath business among the religion, politics, and police system. The series also combine the cryptocurrency in the plot which I think this is very up-to-date plot. It also shows us there's always two sides of same coin. The series encourage people to ask some questions about their beliefs. It's so fascinating to see a good Thai series I haven't seen a while.

Amazing plots which you'll not regret watching it. I can't wait to see the next season.

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.

"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.