TIFF 2024: The Shadow Strays (With Movie Trailer in Indonesian with english subtitles & releasing soon on Netflix)
The Shadow Strays at TIFF 2024: Ultra-Violence with a Heartbeat
If you’re a fan of high-octane action, bloody showdowns, and jaw-dropping fight choreography, then you’ll want to keep your eyes on The Shadow Strays, the latest from Indonesian action master Timo Tjahjanto. Set to make its World Premiere at TIFF 2024 as part of the Midnight Madness program, this film promises an adrenaline-fueled, martial-arts-packed extravaganza that’s as stylish as it is brutal.
The Story: Assassin Gone Rogue
Meet Codename 13 (played by Aurora Ribero), a young, highly-trained assassin working for a shadowy group known as The Shadow. After a mission in Japan goes off the rails, she’s sent back to Indonesia on probation by her mentor, Umbra (played by Hana Malasan), to lay low and cool off. But peace is the last thing on the menu for 13.
While in the slums of Jakarta, she stumbles upon a young boy who has run into trouble with a local crime syndicate. Against the rules of her organization, 13 steps in to protect him, setting off a string of violent confrontations with gangsters and killers that escalate into all-out chaos. What follows is a parade of sword fights, shootouts, and bone-crunching brawls as 13 faces off against a series of deadly opponents.
Why You’ll Be Hooked
- Non-Stop Action: Timo Tjahjanto has built a reputation as a director who knows how to stage intense, visceral action sequences that leave you breathless. From explosive set pieces to hand-to-hand combat, this film delivers on every front, reminiscent of the John Woo classics like Hard Boiled that defined the action genre.
- A Killer Protagonist: Aurora Ribero shines as Codename 13, bringing both ferocity and vulnerability to a character who’s as deadly with a blade as she is conflicted about the violent world she’s part of. Watching her kick, punch, and slice her way through hordes of enemies is nothing short of exhilarating.
- Classic Action Vibes: Fans of The Raid or Headshot will feel right at home here. But The Shadow Strays goes beyond homage—it’s packed with references to action classics, yet it carves its own path with Tjahjanto’s unique style. Expect a climactic warehouse showdown that explodes with pyrotechnics and chaos, cementing this film’s place as a new action favorite.
What Makes The Shadow Strays Stand Out
While The Shadow Strays delivers on the action, it’s more than just a spectacle of violence. Tjahjanto weaves in a coming-of-age element, as Codename 13 grapples with her identity as an assassin and the moral weight of her choices. Her journey from cold-blooded killer to protector gives the film its emotional core, making it more than just a string of fight scenes.
In true Tjahjanto fashion, there’s a dark, gritty undercurrent that runs through the narrative, reflecting the unforgiving world that these characters inhabit. And with his US remake of Train to Busan on the horizon, this film feels like the director’s final, bloody love letter to the genre that made him a star.
When and Where to Catch The Shadow Strays at TIFF 2024
Don’t miss your chance to see The Shadow Strays in all its bloody glory at TIFF 2024:
- Tuesday, September 10 – 10:00 am at TIFF Lightbox (Press & Industry)
- Saturday, September 14 – 10:00 am at TIFF Lightbox (Press & Industry)
- Saturday, September 14 – 11:30 pm at Royal Alexandra Theatre
- Sunday, September 15 – 11:00 am at TIFF Lightbox
Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
If you’re craving a film that balances heart-pounding action with emotional depth, The Shadow Strays is the movie to catch at TIFF 2024. With Timo Tjahjanto at the helm, expect nothing less than a masterclass in action filmmaking—this is one film that’ll leave you in awe of its sheer intensity. The Shadow Strays isn’t just an action movie; it’s a thrilling experience that demands to be seen on the big screen.
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