Countdown (2012) Reviews

• Worth it just for Asavanod's performance alone

  MovieMaddis2013-10-09

  I saw Countdown recently after it was recommended on a foreign movie Oscar board and I think the movie may leave you quite divided. The first act is brilliant. Fun, tense, interesting characters, it all works well for the set up of 3 Thai college students in New York for the New Year's celebration. They order drugs and find Jesus, played by David Asavanod, at the door eager to sell, hangout and generally freak out everyone in the apartment. It is referenced in the movie a couple of times but he is the literal Tsunami actor. An absolute animal. Charismatic, powerful, scary, funny. David completely owns this role and will hook anyone into his frightening portrayal of a fringe drug dealer with a score to settle. Without giving too much away, Jesus has his reasons for being there and they aren't just to sell drugs. When he goes from fluent English to fluent Thai without missing a beat and completely selling it - I was slackjawed. Despite David's amazing and convincing performance the film itself goes a bit off the rails at the halfway point. And rushing to a tidy conclusion it leaves you wanting in the end. However, watch it. Asavanod IS the next big thing. He will get bigger parts, he will be major player. I watch a ton of movies, foreign and domestic, and this is the guy - believe it! Maddis 7/10

• Excellent horror thriller with a difference

  ric_lawes2013-05-29

  Rarely does a film of limited location keep an audience enthralled. This movie for David Asavanond (Jesus - "hey-sus genius") as the lead, is his true break out film. I worked with David in 2004 on Tom Yum Goong with Tony Jaa and again 2005 in Shadow Island and to say he has come of age is what I believe is a man with exceptional talent. He followed his craft - went to the US and was trained by the best in NY. It's his time. The storyline is interesting - a group of university kids who wish to experience drugs as the new year countdown is upon them. What follows drags the viewer into the room with Jesus and thankfully leaves you just out of range. Thoroughly recommend this film and watch as David and his co actors Jarinporn Joonkiat, Pattarasaya Kreuasuwansri and Pachara Chirathivat are taken for the ride of their life.

• ENLIGHTENMENT

  nogodnomasters2018-07-26

  This review mentions plot points that are on the back of the DVD cover. Some people might consider them spoilers. Three Thai teens share a NY apartment. It is New Year's Eve and they need a pick me up. They managed to hook up with a dealer who makes house calls, but Mr. Jesus turns this into a home break-in style film. This aspect of the film is basically a "B" 3 star film. I appreciated the film more once it was over. Good thriller. Guide: F-bomb. Brief sex. No nudity. Unusual Buddhist theme. Killing, blood.

• Excellent performances from David Asavanonds ! Great horror thriller from thailand !

  seckinlergafri2017-11-12

  Countdown is a horror movie from thailand released in 2012. Tells about three teenagers from thailand living in abandoned apartments in new york united states. They were Jack, Bee, and Pam. The three teenagers wanted to celebrate the turn of the year with a different drug party ... In a drug dealer called Jesus .. Jesus came to deliver his best drug. Slowly slowly friendly and authoritative turns 180 degrees becomes cruel and sadistic ... Will Jack, Bee, and Pam survive Jesus? What was Jesus' purpose to torture them? Review: this movie is very sadistic, funny, brutal and meaningful ... Directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya starred by star star from Thailand so talented ... Namely Pachara Chirathivat Jarinporn Joonkiat Pattarasaya Kreuasuwansri and David Asavanond, but his David Asavanond acting here is so fascinating to play the cute, cruel and brutal character of Jesus .... This movie has a very strong moral message .... And 10 stars for David asavanond here .. It's really a talented actor!

• Solid Performance but gaps in the plot

  tchantra2013-12-30

  The acting in the movie was great. Without giving out too much of the story itself, I found myself waiting more of an explanation of what had happened at the end of the movie. Like, who was this Jesus character and how did he know so much? There are just a few important and unanswered questions that I had at the end. Overall though, I think it still worth a watch. If not for the story, then perhaps for the lessons that I think it was trying to dish out. I've only seen a few Thai movies in my days, but this is certainly one of the better ones. The storyline shown here on IMDb states that these are three teenagers but I think they are really early 20s based on the details of the characters. I don't recall watching David Asavanond, but his performance was very good in this movie. I might start following him now.