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Letting Go

I'm not sure why I decided to watch the Tawainese criminal thriller movie The Abandoned on Netflix. I've been so into avoiding darkness of any variety that these sort of movies no longer have any appeal for me. Life is scary enough, you know? But I think I was looking for something different because boredom got the better of me. Moving forward, I think I'll go watch a documentary instead.

The film opens with a woman about to commit suicide in her car. Some frightened kids interrupt her, and she goes to see a corpse that has washed up on shore. Police later arrive, and we learn the woman is a troubled police officer. Gradually as she investigates the death of the woman she found we learn that she's deeply depressed over the suicide by gun of her husband, to the point of where she sleeps in the car where he killed himself (also explaining the beginning) and frequently touches the bloodied bullet hole in the ceiling liner. Finally she becomes drawn into the murder case when it becomes apparent that the woman is the latest victim of a serial killer who is targeting runaway female workers.

I want to say up front that this is a very dark, deeply frightening and ultra-violent movie that will no doubt be triggering to anyone suffering from depression, suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic trauma from abuse of any kind. I almost didn't finish watching it because it made me remember all the times I've struggled with the bleakness of the world and the terrible unkindness of others. The acting is very well done, and while the ending holds a bit of hope, the story was somewhat disjointed and more detailed than was necessary. Some aspects were quite unrealistic, particular the black moment at the end.

I cam away thinking I've had enough of thrillers, period. I simply don't want to be exposed to that much darkness anymore. For that reason I can't recommend this one.

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