HALABALA (หาราบาลา ป่าจิตหลุด) (2025)

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Eakasit Thairaat
Cast: Chantavit ‘Ter’ Dhanasevi, Nuttanicha ‘Nycha’ Dungwattanawanich, Anon ‘Poo’ Saisangchan 
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Rating: NC16 (Violence and Horror)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 17 April 2025

Synopsis: Inspector Dan, a reckless cop known as “Dan the Hundred Corpses,” is given a final chance to redeem himself so he can return to his post in Bangkok. However, this mission lead him down a perilous path. His target is Tup Ta Fai, a deranged gang leader who has escaped from prison and vanished into the depths of Halabala, a forbidden jungle. Within the shadows of this deathly forest, whispers of an ancient tribe of cannibals, known as Batow. Some believe they are extinct, while others claim they never truly left. Driven by his relentless pursuit of justice, Dan must balance his duty with the safety of his wife, Vi, who is heavily pregnant and terrified of their new home in the forest. But they may not be alone—something sinister lurks in the shadows, waiting to consume them.

Movie Review:

The last time we saw Thai actor Chantavit ‘Ter’ Dhanasevi, he was scamming his way through the horror comedy 404 Run Run — playing a real estate swindler leading a motley crew as they try to escape the wrath of a furious female ghost in an abandoned hotel. There were a few scares and plenty of laughs.

But in his latest big screen outing, the laughs are gone — and the scares have multiplied. This time, Dhanasevi dives deep into pure horror territory, where the mood is darker, bloodier, and far more intense. It’s definitely not for the squeamish — so if you’ve got a thing for gooey, slimy creatures, you might want to sit this one out.

Dhanasevi, best known for his comedic roles in films like ATM: Er Rak Error (2012) and The Con-Heartist (2019), sheds his funny-guy persona to take on a darker, more intense role as a no-nonsense police officer. Nicknamed “Dan the Hundred Corpses,” he’s infamous for recklessly dispensing justice. In one particularly brutal scene, he forces a glass light bulb into a criminal’s mouth, and the results are as bloody and painful as they sound.

As a consequence of his violent and unorthodox methods, Dan is reassigned to a remote outpost deep within the Hala Bala rainforest — a real-life wildlife sanctuary located in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. Accompanied by his pregnant wife Vi (Nuttanicha ‘Nycha’ Dungwattanawanich, he is far away from the convenience of Bangkok. When a dangerous criminal (Anon ‘Poo’ Saisangchan) escapes from prison, Dan seizes the chance to redeem himself and earn a transfer back to the capital. He sets out on a relentless manhunt in the dense and misty jungle, joined by an armed squad and a medium.

Oh, what we haven’t mentioned is that the forest is believed to have once been home to an ancient tribe of cannibals, and this chilling backdrop sets the stage for the supernatural horrors that will befall on Dan and his crew. But nothing is stopping the determined officer as he plunges deeper into this treacherous jungle.

What follows is a 107-minute descent into creature horror that delivers some of the most outrageously bloody and grotesquely slimy creations we've seen in a while. One particularly memorable monster emerges from Dan’s own hand, speaking in a gutsy haunting tone, while dripping fangs and oozing flesh - it's pure nightmare fuel.

Dhanasevi delivers a performance that is both intense and unsettling, fully embracing the gritty demands of a role that sees him transform into an uptight vigilante entangled in a bloody supernatural nightmare. The character’s gradual descent into madness marks a bold shift for the actor, who has long been associated with comedy. It’s a challenging role, and Dhanasevi rises to the occasion — showcasing a surprising range and proving that his acting chops extend well beyond laughs.

The film marks the solo directorial debut of Eakasit Thairaat, who had previously worked in co-directing roles. While the final act of the horror flick may come across as meandering or unfocused for viewers who prefer tighter storytelling, the film’s sheer intensity and suspense are enough to keep audiences on the edge of their seats — right up to the moment Dan meets his ultimate fate.

Movie Rating:

(This blood-and-slime-soaked creature horror flick set in a dense rainforest doesn’t just deliver on scares — it also serves as a compelling showcase for Chantavit ‘Ter’ Dhanasevi's transformative performance)

Review by John Li