'The Shadow Strays' Review

The Shadow Strays was a quiet addition to the TIFF Midnight Madness lineup this year. Continuing the theme of raucous action, director Timo Tjahjanto, known for his visceral action and horror films, brings his signature intensity. Visually, it’s a knockout. Tjahjanto has a great eye for detail, and the world he creates has a fittingly grim atmosphere, with rugged and harsh cinematography that casts gloomy shadows that mirror the inner torment of 13, an agent of a ninjalike task force called The Shadows. Tjahjanto’s distinct style is evident, and while he delivers suspense and violence, the film doesn’t fully capitalize on its more profound themes. Simply put, The Shadow Strays met expectations, but it doesn’t go for anything more than surface-level substance.

In true Tjahjanto fashion, the fight scenes are brutal and expertly choreographed, giving the film a raw, kinetic energy. Constant tension is in the air as 13 tries to fend off anyone who will stop her from rescuing a young boy from a crime syndicate. Masked with brutal kills and cheeky dialogue, Tjahjanto made The Shadow Strays the way people would expect it to be narratively. The film’s premise is basic, blending clichéd action plot points and character developments that either feel forced or insufficient. The story often feels disjointed, jumping between flashbacks of 13’s past and her current mission. While this provides insight into her backstory and eventually connects the dots to other characters in the movie, it sometimes disrupts the flow and makes the plot convoluted. There are moments where the story feels like it’s holding back, as if there are more layers to explore, but the film chooses action over introspection.

Character development is another area where The Shadow Strays could have pushed further. Yet, apart from 14, played with quiet intensity by Aurora Ribero, the other characters don’t feel as fully realized. Their motivations are hinted at but not explored in depth. From the helpless kid to the hardnose instructor and the mysterious handler to the tall, muscular henchman, The Shadow Strays finds every action movie cliché and throws it at the wall. Some may argue that characters such as these need no development, but it’s hard to understand or relate to them in some capacity when the movie gives them no room to breathe.

That said, the film excels in its execution of tone and action. Tjahjanto effectively uses silence and slow-build tension, and when the action does hit, it’s relentless. This blend gives the film a unique edge, and fans of Tjahjanto’s previous work will find plenty to enjoy in his signature blend of brutality and style. Every punch, jab, and creative kill brings the movie its wow factor that never lets up. There are also tiny moments that speak loudly, like the finale finding a needle drop in M83’s “My Tears Are Becoming a Sea.”

2024 has been a year chock full of chaotic action movies worldwide. South Africa and Germany had Boy Kills World, India contributed with Kill and Monkey Man, and now Indonesia added themselves to the list here with The Shadow Strays. It’s a film that hints at greatness but ultimately stays within the confines of being a well-executed genre piece, and for fans of brutal action, it’s a journey worth taking—even if it doesn’t quite stick the landing. Action and Tjahjanto fans will eat the movie up, but regular cinephiles and moviegoers won’t be in as much of a chokehold.

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