Toronto Film Festival 2024 Review - The Shadow Strays (2024)

The Indonesian action renaissance has been in full swing since The Raid exploded in popularity, making names out of Gareth Evans, Iko Uwais, and Joe Taslim. The Raid served as the catalyst for the expansion of the Indonesian action scene, and one of the names to emerge from it is the writer and director of The Shadow Strays, Timo Tjahjanto. His previous work, The Night Comes for Us, gained significant attention when it debuted on Netflix, and Timo continues to rise in popularity, with his next project being the anticipated sequel to Nobody. The Shadow Strays represents the culmination of his work making films in Indonesia before his more traditional Hollywood studio debut. It is undeniably his best work to date and showcases why Timo Tjahjanto is considered one of the top action directors of today.

The film opens in Japan, where we see Umbra (played by Hana Malasan) and her apprentice, 13 (played by Aurora Ribero in a star-making performance), take on a job: to wipe out an entire Yakuza clan. Why do they do this? Because they are shadows, neutralizers in both senses—they remain neutral to the conflict at hand while eliminating the people they are tasked with killing. After the mission, 13 is sent back to Jakarta and told to wait for further instructions. However, things change when she discovers that her neighbor Monji (played by Ali Fikry) has become entangled in the corrupt and seedy underworld of the city. 13 will stop at nothing to bring Monji back to safety.

Narratively, The Shadow Strays does not reinvent the wheel for Timo Tjahjanto. It follows a morally gray character who, for a given reason, decides to help someone in need by using their unique skills. However, it’s the subtext of the film that adds an original and layered dimension to the story. The film is more about how women are used as scapegoats for the actions of men. It’s never his fault—she was the one who got pregnant. “Why did she cause this mess that now, as a man, I have to fix?” It’s not inherently subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes, hitting your audience with a metaphorical machete is more effective in conveying themes than being surgical. While I feel the basic plot isn’t perfect, the world-building is exceptional. There’s enough rich texture to the world of assassins that I can easily see it expanding to an indescribable scale.

This machete-like approach is also a perfect way to describe the action. There’s a thundering intensity to it that is unparalleled in modern action films. Blood flows from every wound and impact, splattering on the walls and over the characters. It’s high-octane and thrilling to watch. However, the action isn’t great solely because of its violence; it’s great because it’s captured with a level of flair and precision. Timo Tjahjanto has developed a recognizable style throughout his career. From his use of overhead shots to camera movements that match the on-screen action, and handheld camera work that, while shaky, never hides what’s happening. Although he was inspired by The Raid, Timo has never conformed to that style—he’s created something truly unique.

The Shadow Strays is a bone-crunching, bloody thrill ride, crafted by a filmmaker at the peak of his abilities. The film will have you hooting and hollering with excitement, leaving you wanting more…Not to be missed.