This is a movie that lays out in detail all the ugliness of the darker side of Thai society that we do certainly not see in BLs. Since I honestly know little about the political inner working of Thailand, I do not know whether this chronicle is based on some semblance of truth or not. However, as in any premise, I do believe some kernels of truth and honesty are no doubt in this screenplay and part of it must be taken at face value. We tend to not want to think of or perhaps see that a fantasy land of ours (such as Thailand) has a darker side to it, but it does. And this movie presents a very dark, depressing, look at that reality. There is no romance here nor any hint of a BL; but it does present a side of the adult entertainment industry we tend to dismiss or pretend does not exist as we glaze over or gloss over the geopolitical strife that might also exist in that part of the world when we watch BLs in the comfort of our homes.

Sorn (Ud Awat) is a young heterosexual monk in the Shan area of Myanmar. Leading an almost idyllic life, he was conscripted to serve in the military, which he disliked. So, he decides to escape to Thailand as an undocumented refugee. However, the only work he can obtain was in the sex industry in the Chiang Mai area of Thailand as a male masseur and prostitute. There he befriends a police officer named Ji (Pae Arak) who is also a criminal and makes political activists ‘disappear’.

Ji has a family and, now having gotten so deep into this underworld of corruption, has little choice but to complete one more mission. However, he is beginning to suffer from pangs of guilt and remorse. He convinces Sorn, whom he sees on a regular basis, to help him in his next ‘hit’. But with this one, he is trying to save the boyfriend of one of his victims which he plans to sneak back into Shan with Sorn’s help. While Sorn does not obviously want to since he is a fugitive there, he agrees because Ji will provide him with a legitimate Thai passport when he returns.

Wuth (Aelm Bhumibhat) has taken up the mantel of political activism and is angry with Ji for killing the love of his life. However, a journey to Shan is the only way for Wuth to ‘disappear’ and remain alive and only Ji and Sorn can take him there. The trek back to Myanmar will obviously not be easy and if they get there, Wuth’s only option is to become a monk. The risks to Ju and Sorn are also incalculable as well.

The acting in this movie is well done and focused on the nitty-gritty of surviving daily. All three of the major performers did exceptional jobs but I would give a slight edge to Ud Awat as Sorn not so much for better acting but more so for his intense almost hypnotic facial expressions. He has a face that so intensely expresses his feelings that I was captured by his looks, therefore drawn to him, mesmerized by his movements and gestures. Never panicky nor quick, yet always intensely focused on the here-and-now. It is hard to take your eyes off him. Even before the movie ended, you just know somehow, he would survive because he always projected such a strong will to live in his face, mannerisms, sheer grit and determination.

This movie is raw, gritty, with no happy endings for anyone. It presents the uglier side of the corruption in Thailand and its strife. The discrimination of its undocumented refugees is powerfully exposed, shown and feels real. Something here in the United States we are all too familiar with and pretend that it also does not exist. This is a story of the viler dimension of the adult entertainment. It exposes not just the risks of and for individuals who are undocumented in this industry but also shows the underbelly of their vulnerabilities they are subjected to especially centering around the lack of protections and rights (again not all that uncommon as in other countries). There is also the hint of political strife rarely seen or even mentioned in BLs as existing, tempered by the fact that this was occurring during the period of the pandemic.

Be warned. There is murder, sexual exploitation, torture, kidnapping, intense discrimination, and political strife all clearly visible and viable in this movie. The reality is no one comes away a winner; if you come out alive, perhaps you might just survive. For how long: Unknown. Quality of life: Impoverished. Alone.

This movie might make you feel rather empty, sad and jolt you into seeing a different world from the fictionalized world of BL.

Rating- 4.25 out of 5

Streaming on- Netflix