'The Abandoned' (2023) release date, plot, cast and is Netflix movie worth watching
Movie name: The Abandoned
Platform: Netflix
Country of origin: Taiwan
Date of Original Release: September 8, 2023 (Taiwan)
Date of Netflix Release: December 31, 2023
Genre: Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
What is the plot of 'The Abandoned'?
Police officer Wu Jie has had enough. On New Year's Eve she decides to end her life only to be stopped at the last moment by the discovery of the dead body of a migrant worker. And not just any dead body, the woman is missing her heart and a finger. But the investigation into who she is or why she was murdered keeps hitting dead-ends. Meanwhile Lin You-sheng -- fearful of the police arresting him -- buries the dead body of another woman he found in a factory. When Wu Jie asks Lin for help identifying the mutilated woman's body they find that it's Lin's girlfriend Waree. With two dead bodies, Lin is now the prime suspect. But is Lin a serial killer or are their deeper, darker secrets to be unravelled?
'The Abandoned' Cast
Janine Chang
Janine got her break in the 2002 series 'Meteor Garden II' before really making her mark in movies like 2007's 'What on Earth Have I Done Wrong?!' and the series 'Midnight Diner' and 'Detective Chinatown'. She won the Huading Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Bo Lingyun in the series 'The Advisor's Alliance'. In 2021 she won the Weibo Movie Award for Progressive Actor of the Year. She is also the face of such brands Elizabeth Arden, Tom Ford and Chanel.
Ethan Juan
Actor and model Ethan Juan is best know for his role in the 2010 gangster film 'Monga' for which he won the Best Actor award at the 47th Golden Horse Awards. Ethan got his breakout role in the TV series 'Ming zhong zhu ding wo ai ni' in which he played Ji Cun-Xi. Apart from 'Monga' he is best known for his role as Zhangsun Wuji in the hit series 'Legend of Fuyao'.
Is 'The Abandoned' worth watching?
Critics loved the stylings of the 'The Abandoned' when it was shown at the London East Asia Film Festival (LEAFF) back in October, and it certainly looks excellent. While the plot does appear a bit convoluted the movie's dark theme and strong cast spell out a decent couple of hours. Give it a go.
MEAWW Watch ranking
3 out of 5
'The Abandoned' trailer
