Our take
Real life violence is usually not a good idea, but when those in power would do anything to gain more power at the expense of those more vulnerable, sometimes those with the strength should wreak violence. After a fruitful action-comedy collaboration with Netflix, writer-director Timo Tjahjanto teams up with them again for a darker crime thriller The Shadow Strays. It’s a straightforward rescue crime thriller that follows the trend set by John Wick, but with Tjahjanto’s insane horror-inspired, gore-filled kills and Aurora Ribero’s dynamic performance, The Shadow Strays is brutal, exciting, and a cathartic watch in a world betrayed by those at the top.
Synopsis
Skilled in the art of killing, a young assassin defies her mentor to save a boy from a ruthless crime syndicate — and she'll destroy anyone in her path.
Storyline
After nearly botching a mission, Codename 13, a prodigal assassin of The Shadows, finds herself sent back to Jakarta and suspended from further duties. However, when her friend Monji, a young boy who lost his mother to a crime syndicate, is missing, 13 sets down a path of destruction to rescue him, even at the cost of defying her organization.
TLDR
Whoever introduced Timo Tjahjanto to romcom actress Aurora Ribero… Wow, that was a great idea.
What stands out
Every creative way Tjahjanto has Ribero beat up and kill the bad guys.