When you break down a story, there’s always a component of good versus evil. If you’re looking for an action flick, the best of this genre takes the concept and maximizes it. We see this a lot in films like John Wick and it goes back all the way to the great samurai films of the past and even the westerns. While watching these movies, you have one thing on your mind and that is the need to see someone kick ass and take names. The Shadow Strays does that with a punk style as we watch a girl fight for what’s right when a child across from her apartment is kidnapped, sending her down the spiral staircase to the criminal underworld.
The Shadow Strays premiered at TIFF Midnight Madness this year and received great reactions–many of my colleagues said I had to see it as soon as possible. The film isn’t perfect as it is a bit long, but it may require a second watch.
For what it is, the film is a damn fun time as we follow our lead 13, played amazingly by Aurora Ribero, who journeys into the seedy underbelly of the underworld, trying to do one good deed after being discharged from her assassin group. What starts as a journey for answers becomes a brutal and relentless bloodbath that is so much fun to experience.
The Shadow Strays takes the approach of maximalism when it comes to how it frames its action as it throws everything at the wall and constructs complex and wildly entertaining scenes of carnage. Some action films take the approach of minimalism by giving you a good amount of action, but they focus more on the characters and the plot they are trying to spin. While the film takes great effort in constructing the characters and the story that surrounds them, it also goes above with the action and builds an experience that is so much fun to watch.
Every action scene feels like it could be in its own movie–together they become a blend of carnage so exhilarating to experience. The standout moment is the nightclub sequence which is batshit insane with some impact moments you can feel and some gore components that push the rating as far as it can go. Those familiar with director Timo Tjahjanto’s previous work would not be surprised as this type of spectacle is notably similar to both The Night Comes For Us (2018) and The Big 4 (2022).
The lead performance from Ribero keeps this film on the right track as you always feel invested in her journey and inner struggles. With an action epic like this, it’s easy to spend more time focused on the action set pieces and forget to create a good narrative to catapult your audience into the world. The film makes sure to put enough eggs in every basket to keep it feeling exhilarating and emotionally driven.
The use of vibrant colors to paint every scene is a fantastic touch that makes it much more enjoyable to be in this world. The decision to keep all the action in focus instead of using a shaky cam or editing it in a way that cuts the impact moments was also a welcomed addition as so many projects decide to take the easy and cheap road to frame their action moments. The camera also follows the action and lets you float with the moments and that adds to the immersion quite well.
The Shadow Strays is the kind of film you should check out if you love films that focus on making the most bone-breaking experience for its audience while also treating them to a good story. If you liked The Raid or John Wick, you will have a fantastic time with this one.
An optimal way to watch it would be with a good television and sound setup or even with some good airpods or headphones as they paid attention to the details in the score and the sound mixing. The best type of action film takes a maximalist approach by giving you everything you want and then some. The Shadow Strays delivers that experience for those willing to give it the chance as it is a fantastic time and is martial arts cinema at its most maximalist.
Review Courtesy of Becca Harleen
Image Credit to Netflix via Cinema from the Spectrum