The fact that "The Devil's Diner" is a sensation in many countries is a good sign for Vietnamese television. Unfortunately, the series remains controversial, receiving much criticism regarding both its script and acting.
Devil's Diner (International title: Devil's Diner garnered attention for being the first Vietnamese series to be released exclusively globally on Netflix, simultaneously in over 190 countries.
Upon its release, the series quickly became a sensation, topping the charts of most-watched television shows in many countries, including Vietnam.
However, the series remains controversial due to its quality, with mixed reviews. Some viewers believe the project has an appealing concept and promises a fresh experience. Nevertheless, the film is still considered disappointing due to its limited script and inconsistent plot development.
An impressive start, but gradually losing momentum.
As the name suggests, Devil's Diner The story revolves around a mysterious eatery where desperate people seek refuge in their most dire circumstances. Upon entering, they are greeted by a peculiar owner (Le Quoc Nam) who serves them dishes that are both appealing and horrifying.
In return, diners must agree to a terrifying deal. They will achieve their deepest desires, but the price will be very high, possibly involving the loss of their most precious possessions.
This is a project I'm passionate about. Ham Tran The director, after a long period of preparation, has created a film with many bloody and gruesome scenes, rated T18 (not suitable for audiences under 18).
The first episode of Devil's Diner The film impresses with its polished visuals, meticulously crafted camera angles, and well-invested settings, creating a feeling that rivals international productions. The storytelling is also captivating enough to draw viewers into the eerie atmosphere the director has created.
Unfortunately, from episode two onwards, the plot begins to reveal its weaknesses. Once the audience understands the story and the director's message, everything becomes predictable and loses its appeal.
Because it build Following an anthology format, the film's plot becomes increasingly disjointed towards the end. While it creates a chilling atmosphere, the stories aren't particularly frightening, especially for those accustomed to horror films.
Inconsistent acting is a major drawback of the project. Except for familiar faces like Le Quoc Nam or Kieu Trinh and the young cast members also handle their characters unnaturally. Their diction isn't good, and sometimes their emotional expressions are forced and lack depth.
The post-production was also not outstanding. The film's color palette was overused, with dark tones and hazy yellow and red lights to create a gloomy and eerie atmosphere. This technique sometimes backfired, becoming unnatural and uncomfortable instead of increasing tension.
The script feels forced.
In fact, the idea of combining culinary themes with social issues is not new in the horror genre. Previous films like... The Menu (2022) or The Platform (2019) both successfully explore cuisine from a dark and suggestive perspective, reflecting power, social, and moral relationships through eating.
Most recently, the Thai series Hunger (2023) also seeks to expose the dark side of the world of luxury cuisine, reflecting the disparities between social classes.
However, Devil's Diner The film has its own unique strengths in attempting to integrate Vietnamese cultural elements into its exploration of cuisine and philosophy of life. Through familiar dishes, the film subtly conveys lessons about karma and morality.
The script was written by Ham Tran and screenwriter Tran Hoai Nam. Each episode has a completely independent storyline, revolving around the major sins in Buddhist doctrine: Greed, Anger, Delusion, Arrogance, and Doubt.
However, in its attempt to include many messages, the film's script also reveals limitations, with plot developments that are sometimes forced and illogical.
In episodes four and five, many plot points are illogical and only create a sense of fatigue. The message about injustice and resentment is also handled poorly, making the characters' psychological transformation unconvincing.
By the final episode, the writers wanted to explain and connect the entire story, but the result was confusing. Some details, such as the origin of the demon's diner and the forces behind it, were not explained or clarified to convince the viewers.
Ignore the restrictions, Devil's Diner It's still a commendable effort by the team, especially in this context. Vietnamese films Currently, there is still a lack of bold ideas.
The appearance of this work is a positive sign that Vietnamese television is gradually seeking to innovate and embrace international trends.
Some viewers still quite like director Ham Tran's direction and hope that the series will be made into subsequent seasons and that the shortcomings of the first season will be overcome.
Although it hasn't yet reached the level of blockbuster series like Stranger Things good Black Mirror ... it's quite possible that in the future, Vietnam could create works that have a huge appeal on the world market, even creating a sensation like Black Mirror. Squid Game .
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