With a killer on the loose, buried secrets coming to light, and determined women breaking barriers in male-dominated fields, “Petrichor” delivers an intriguing and suspenseful experience.

The city becomes a hunting ground as young women are brutally murdered—their bodies found bound, skulls fractured, and left to rot. The pattern mirrors a series of killings from 18 years ago, and the murderer only strikes on rainy nights. The crimes resume just as the previously convicted suspect is released from prison after serving 20 years.

Inspector Tul (Engfa Waraha) and forensic doctor Run (Charlotte Austin) join forces to uncover the truth, but the deeper they dig, the more convoluted the case becomes.

The show started off strong, pulling me in with its intriguing premise. The relationship between the two leads, Tul and Run, has a soft, quiet intimacy, but at times, their interactions felt unnecessarily prolonged. The background score, while atmospheric, occasionally overwhelmed the scenes instead of enhancing them.

One thing I love about Thai entertainment is its ability to transition seamlessly from lighthearted romances to darker, more mature narratives like this one. Similar to “Manner of Death”, “Petrichor” deals with intense themes—a signature touch when Sammon is involved in the scriptwriting. And Sammon didn’t disappoint.

Engfa Waraha shines as Tul, delivering a commendable performance, while Charlotte Austin as Dr. Run gives a sincere effort. Their chemistry is subtle—no exaggerated gazes, no excessive flirting, no overdramatic framing of every interaction. Instead, their connection unfolds through fleeting glances and understated touches. While I appreciate this more grounded portrayal, I do wish their emotional exchanges were a bit more pronounced, especially in the kiss scene, which unfortunately fell flat.

The show doesn’t hold back from portraying disturbing elements. Forensic scenes featuring human remains are graphic, so consider this a trigger warning—if you’re sensitive to violence or unsettling imagery, you might want to skip those moments.

One of Petrichor’s strengths is its exploration of morality, showcasing both the best and worst in people. It highlights corruption in the legal system and the collateral damage suffered by innocent individuals. However, the script could have been tighter—certain decisions made by the characters felt frustratingly reckless. For instance, the journalist’s complete disregard for personal safety while investigating made little sense. Yes, investigative journalism is dangerous, but some level of caution would have been more believable.

Now, about the killer—he wasn’t as smart as he thought. While his reveal was shocking, the story dragged for three extra episodes, stretching the tension too thin. His motive, though somewhat understandable, was poorly executed—it took him far too long to target the person truly responsible for his suffering. This left the show lacking a sense of true justice for the innocent victims.

Among the supporting cast, Captain Daensiam (played by Parn Khomkrit Duangsuwan) and Athit Wathithep (played by Inntouch Naphat Chalermphonphakdee) stood out, delivering strong performances despite minimal screen time.

May (Lin Malin Sae-lim) and Jiu (Meena Rina Chatamonchai), while both talented actors, lacked convincing chemistry. Their scenes together didn’t evoke the same engagement as Tul and Run’s interactions.

And then there’s Max Nattapol—his appearance was a highlight, but he was underutilized. Given his caliber as an actor, the show missed an opportunity by not incorporating him more meaningfully into the narrative.

Visually, “Petrichor” is serviceable but unremarkable. Some performances, like that of the commander, felt overdone to the point of being distracting.

Overall, “Petrichor” is an engaging crime thriller with an interesting premise but some notable flaws. The pacing could have been tighter, and the script sharper. While the romance is refreshingly subtle, a bit more emotional intensity would have enhanced it. This is a solid one-time watch, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- IQIYI