"The Abandoned," a Taiwanese crime drama now streaming on Netflix, offers a blend of police procedural and horror elements, appealing to fans of international crime stories. Despite a strong opening, the film's middle section becomes muddled, which somewhat undermines its intense climax.
Set in the milieu of migrant workers, the film opens with a gripping scene featuring the lead character, Detective Wu Jie, portrayed compellingly by Janine Chun-Ning Chan. In a moment of despair, Wu Jie is on the brink of suicide in her car, a scene interrupted by a startling discovery of a dead body. This event sets the tone for the film, hinting at Wu Jie's troubled past, including the suicide of her fiancée in the same car, evident from a bullet hole in its roof. Wu Jie's character, grappling with PTSD, offers an interesting twist to the typical cop drama narrative, especially from a female perspective.
The film's initial twenty minutes suggest a dark, horror-tinged police procedural. However, while the atmosphere remains tense and expectant of a paranormal twist, it stays firmly within the crime drama genre. The movie excels in its performances, with no actor feeling out of place or unconvincing. Janine Chun's portrayal of Wu Jie is particularly noteworthy, as she embodies a character burdened with deep trauma.
Ethan Juan delivers a standout supporting performance as Lin You Shang, a character whose moral ambiguity keeps the audience guessing about his true intentions. The film delves into the lives of Taiwan's migrant workers, where the victims' stories originate, adding a layer of social commentary to the narrative.
As Wu Jie battles her personal demons, she teams up with a likable, somewhat comedic rookie cop to hunt down the perpetrator. The resolution of the murder mystery, revealed in a seemingly obvious location, brings closure to the string of violent crimes against women.
However, "The Abandoned" falters in its second act, becoming overburdened with details and losing its narrative focus. This overload of information weakens the impact of the killer's reveal, leaving the audience questioning the significance of the climax. While the film initially promises a compelling journey with a strong character arc for its lead, it ultimately struggles to maintain this momentum, resulting in a less satisfying conclusion.
In summary, "The Abandoned" starts as a promising blend of crime and horror but gets lost in its intricate plot, leading to a somewhat lackluster payoff. Despite this, the film's exploration of complex themes and solid performances make it a noteworthy entry in the crime drama genre.
