The Paradise of Thorns – Movie Review & Film Summary

Thongkam and Sek are a gay couple who invested their life savings into starting a durian orchard. Thongkam even sold his house to help fund the business. Although the orchard is barely profitable, they live happily together. They decide to get married, even though their relationship isn't legally recognized.

Durian grows high in trees, so caring for them requires climbing and inspecting the fruit. One night, while Sek is up a tree, he falls and suffers a severe injury. Thongkam rushes him to the hospital, where doctors determine he needs surgery to stop a brain hemorrhage. However, they refuse to proceed without a family member's signature. Thongkam's status as Sek's husband is not recognized. Sadly, he's only considered a friend.

Thongkam must call Sek's only relative to approve the medical procedure. Sek's mother, Saeng, lives in a remote village. This senior woman uses a wheelchair and relies on daily assistance. Saeng lives with Mo, a caregiver who raised her like a daughter. After receiving the call, Saeng urgently prepares to travel to the hospital with Mo's help. With limited transportation options at night, they set out on a motorcycle. On the way, Mo loses control, and both are injured in an accident.

Saeng and Mo arrive at the hospital too late. Sek needed urgent surgery to survive, but without it, he succumbs to his injuries. Her son's death left Saeng overwhelmed with grief. As her unofficial son-in-law, Thongkam tries to comfort the bereaved mother, promising to take care of her needs. Thongkam assures her that he'll continue sending profits from the durian orchard, just as Sek always did. Curious about her son's work, Saeng asks to see the orchard, so Thongkam drives her and Mo there.

After arriving at the orchard, Saeng drops a bombshell. As Sek's mother, she legally inherits the rights to the orchard. The property deed is only in Sek's name, so ownership passes to her after his death. Thongkam argues that he is Sek's husband and has invested all his money into the business, yet the law does not recognize their relationship. He also has no documents to prove his ownership. Thongkam watches as Saeng moves into the orchard and takes over the business. Thongkam vows to reclaim what he and Sek created together.

The Paradise of Thorns begins calmly, introducing a gay couple and their beloved orchard. But soon, the chaos erupts. The rest of the movie takes viewers on an unpredictable journey of twists and turns. This story thrives on intense drama, mixing secrets and scandals with deceit and treachery. I'm impressed by the filmmaker's imagination for creating a dark, immersive tale that keeps us on the edge of our seats. The Paradise of Thorns feels enjoyable due to its high stakes, heightened emotions, and heart-pounding tension.

The story cleverly uses LGBTQ+ themes in its plot. A tear-jerking moment occurs when the hospital won't recognize Thongkam as Sek's husband, denying him emergency healthcare. Later, Thongkam faces legal challenges due to discrimination. Viewers must reflect on the injustice of policies that deprive gay couples of their personal rights. While Thailand has recently legalized same-sex marriage, the film highlights a painful chapter of history that lasted for decades and continues to affect many countries. The Paradise of Thorns delivers poignant social commentary on the fight for equality.

Thongkam clashes with Sek's family in a hostile power struggle. The feud over the orchard turns into a battle royale. Saeng and Mo may be antagonistic, but they emerge as morally intriguing characters with complex motives. Even if you disagree with their tactics, their desperation feels understandable. Everyone has nuances that add depth to this fascinating story. However, some events can escalate beyond reason since the movie is often prone to over-the-top dramatization. Despite the theatrics, many scenes remain impactful. You'll respond emotionally to each conflict.

With soulful eyes and delicate expressions, Jeff Satur shines brilliantly as the leading man. He portrays Thongkam's vulnerability with incredible depth, embodying the character so perfectly that I can't imagine anyone else in the role. The two actresses are also impressive, delivering fierce performances in memorable scenes. The movie's highlight comes near the end when Jeff and his co-star (Engfa Waraha) convey raw anguish powerfully. Mo's distress, in particular, is palpable. Her pain radiates through the screen, making it impossible not to feel for her.

The Paradise of Thorns includes two telegenic gay couples with plenty of physical affection. However, their relationship arcs lack emotional depth. Sek and Thongkam seem happy together in the opening scenes, but their bliss is soon overshadowed by angsty storylines. Jingna's romance feels even less convincing. The characters fall in love quickly based on very few interactions, so their shallow connection almost seems like a plot device. The Paradise of Thorns only offers simple BL content. Both pairings don't develop beyond the surface level.

The Paradise of Thorns held my interest from start to finish. My interest never wavered once during the two hours of exhilarating melodrama. While the tragic ending may be too absurd, the nonstop adrenaline keeps my pulse racing. After the last scene, I must take a moment to calm my emotions. Beyond the creative storyline, I appreciate the artistry. As expected from the creators of I Told Sunset About You, they bring the same cinematic brilliance to The Paradise of Thorns. Overall, this movie combines stylish flair with breathtaking drama and captivating performances.