After Sundown – Movie Review & Summary

The time is the 1960s. Rawee is a 21-year-old who leads a simple lifestyle by the countryside. His grandfather, Chantakorn, is a monk. One day, his grandfather's old friend arrives. Parit comes from a wealthy family in the city. The generous Parit offers Rawee a place to live with his family. Chantakorn encourages his grandson to accept this opportunity for a better life, especially since it means he can pursue his studies.

Rawee seems reluctant to leave behind his family. Nonetheless, he agrees to move in with Parit's family. His benefactor lives in a wealthy mansion. They also have employees to assist with various errands. As an invited houseguest, Rawee isn't required to work with the hired help. Even so, he gets along with the staff and happily contributes. Only Pudsorn, a grumpy worker, dislikes him. While Rawee grows used to his new home, he begins experiencing scary visions and strange nightmares. Each night, he is haunted by troubling phenomena.

Parit lives with his son, Patchara, and daughter-in-law, Pimpila. The married couple has a 25-year-old son, Phloeng. He works with his father in the family business. However, Phloeng's parents believe their son is cursed. According to a prophet, Phloeng will suffer grave misfortune this year. His fate is to spend the rest of his life alone. The only way to lift the curse is for him to find a soulmate who meets specific requirements. As luck would have it, Rawee fits all the criteria. He's the ideal candidate to be Phloeng's soulmate.

Phloeng's family worries for his safety. They want him to bind his destiny with Rawee to avoid the impending misfortune. Phloeng, who isn't superstitious, feels skeptical about this arrangement. He has no desire to be soulmates with a stranger. However, Phloeng agrees since it means a lot to his family and will put their fears at ease. Parit also explains the situation to Rawee and asks for his understanding. Parit once showed generosity toward him. Now, Rawee has the opportunity to return the favour to his benefactor.

Rawee and Phloeng don't get along after leaving a terrible first impression of each other. The arrogant Phloeng looks down on Rawee. He accuses the new houseguest of having ulterior motives, suggesting Rawee is after his grandfather's money. Despite the tension, they proceed to become soulmates. According to the rules, they must be under the same roof after sundown. In other words, they need to live together. The couple feels awkward around each other. However, Rawee discovers that his nightmares vanish whenever he's near Phloeng.

After Sundown displays many creative ideas. This supernatural drama combines the horror, mystery, and romance genres in a fascinating narrative. It also occurs in a historical period, adding another unique detail. While the story doesn't explore the era thoroughly, I still appreciate seeing something different from the norm. The movie feels unpredictable because I don't know what to expect next. After Sundown fuels my curiosity and keeps me intrigued for nearly two hours.

The leads, ZeeNuNew, are best known for starring in Cutie Pie, a hit BL series that made them famous. After Sundown shares some surprising parallels, including an arranged union by a wealthy grandfather. This film takes a similar plot and adds a supernatural spin. It's like a twisted version of Cutie Pie in an alternate universe! Despite the innovative concept, the bizarre story seems unbelievable. I struggle to accept random events like the protagonist moving in with an upper-class family or becoming a stranger's soulmate. After Sundown requires too much suspension of disbelief.

After Sundown is exciting because it builds suspense and teases strange phenomena. Ooh, why does Rawee experience those spooky nightmares? However, the story is heavily plot-driven. It prioritizes eventful twists over character development or world-building. I don't know much about the protagonists besides snippets of their flat personalities and vague backstories. Likewise, the movie hardly portrays what life was like in the 1960s. It doesn't explore the cultural context of the period drama. After Sundown would've benefited from fleshing out these details.

The circumstances that bring Rawee and Phloeng together feel contrived. They suddenly live together and become soulmates due to an inorganic scenario, breaking my immersion in their romance. The shallow characterizations also discourage me from forming an emotional attachment. I end up not caring about this couple. With that said, they have enjoyable interactions in sweet relationship scenes. They're comfortable with physical affection and share healthy chemistry. Despite my skepticism, I see enough proof to believe the leads are infatuated with each other.

After Sundown is a beautifully atmospheric film. It captures the vintage glamour of the 60s, from the luxurious decor to elegant wardrobe. Both leads look dapper in various suits, vests, polo shirts, and suspenders. The movie also showcases majestic scenery, including gorgeous views of the lake. Every shot looks vibrant and elevates the ambiance. In addition, the cast delivers solid performances. Rawee's actor (NuNew) sometimes appears too deliberate with his expressions and mannerisms. However, I like his theatrics in the ghost possession scene.

Scary hallucinations occur throughout After Sundown, including a mysterious phantom. To its credit, the movie provides answers at the end and clarifies the ghost's origins. Although the backstory seems melodramatic, I was satisfied with this explanation. The conclusion provides enough closure to leave a positive impression. Overall, After Sundown entertained me with surprising twists and suspenseful plots. Yet, I don't feel moved by the love story or emotionally invested in the characters. This film has been fun, but my response is mainly casual indifference.