Girl From Nowhere: The Reset Episode 1 review. The new Netflix series revisits the legend of Nanno but struggles to recreate the unsettling atmosphere that made the original Thai drama so gripping.
Director: Komgrit Triwimol
Cast: Becky Armstrong, Chicha Amatayakul, Prudtichai Ruayfupant, Nuttawatt Thanathaveeprasert
Language: Thai
Those who have watched the Thai drama Girl from Nowhere would agree on one thing: it is deeply, deeply unsettling. Remember the first episode of the first season of the show? I was frozen in my seat. I watched it in flight during a trip, and long after the episode had ended, Nanno (played by Chicha Amatayakul) and her chilling laughter kept ringing in my ears. It stayed with me so strongly that I felt like binging the other episodes rather than enjoying my trip.
There was something very disturbing, yet utterly gripping about the show. It was as if the series carried a certain pungency that would shake you while also making you crave more. That is precisely what felt missing in Netflix’s recently released Girl From Nowhere: The Reset Episode 1.
Is Girl From Nowhere: The Reset a spin-off or continuation?
Netflix will be releasing new episodes every Saturday for this version, which many are calling the third part. Girl From Nowhere: The Reset feels more like a continuation of the legend of Nanno. It is not exactly a third season, nor does it feel like a spin-off.
The new narrative focuses on the myth of Nanno, a mysterious girl who keeps transferring schools in Bangkok and punishing those who do wrong. When Sky (Prudtichai Ruayfupant) is continuously bullied by his classmate Jom (Nuttawatt Thanathaveeprasert), he attempts to fight back in his own way. As things spiral out of control, he ends up involving Nanno, who this time is played by Becky Armstrong.
The performances
The biggest problem, at least in the first episode, is that the sinister undertone associated with Nanno feels largely missing. Armstrong appears too sweet to convincingly embody a character as unsettling as Chicha Amatayakul’s Nanno. The comparisons are unavoidable, and that becomes one of the major drawbacks for Armstrong.
Yes, the hysterical smile appears, but it fails to cut as deeply as it once did. Armstrong is earnest in her performance, but the expectations surrounding the character are extremely high, which works against her.
She also appears only briefly in the episode, so there is still hope that things may improve in the coming installments.
The episode largely belongs to Prudtichai Ruayfupant and Nuttawatt Thanathaveeprasert. The former plays Sky, the bullied student who refuses to remain subdued or continue obeying his tormentor. He carries visible anger, though the role required slightly more intensity.
Nuttawatt Thanathaveeprasert, on the other hand, is more convincing as Jom. He portrays the idea that violence breeds more violence quite effectively while also showing the vulnerability of someone who bullies because he himself is struggling.
The good and the bad
It seems I have already discussed much of what did not work for the show. Sadly, that is not all. The revenge arc feels watered down and does not leave the impact one expects from a Girl From Nowhere story.
Another issue is that Nanno is introduced very late in the episode. While this may have been done to build intrigue, it backfires significantly. By the time she finally appears, the impact has softened to the point where it does not feel like you are watching something connected to Girl From Nowhere. That deeply disturbing aura that defined the original is simply missing, and the episode does not leave you craving more.
One of the few positives is that the show introduces a slight sense of hope, something that was largely absent in the original series. Whether that actually works in the show’s favour remains debatable. Watch the episode and let us discuss that.
Final verdict
Overall, if you are new to the world of The Girl From Nowhere, you might actually enjoy The Reset. However, if you devoured and relished the dark, delicious intensity of the original series, this version may feel somewhat bland.
Our recommendation would be to wait for a few more weeks and let two or three more episodes release. Perhaps the narrative will find its footing by then.
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
Here’s the trailer of the show:
Girl From Nowhere: The Reset is currently streaming on Netflix, with a new episode dropping every Saturday.
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