Farang (2017) User Reviews

Good, in fact, but does not measure up to many other Swedish series

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 8 January 2018]

True, the thrill is there and maintained, episodes well composed and connected, the number of cliches limited, but apparently the different dimensions of Swedish and Thai acting and sporadic use of beautiful nature as a filler did not let me enjoy Farang as much as e.g. Bron/Broen, Kodnamn Hunter, Röd snö - to name a few... Ole Rapace is good, but too dominant; as for other characters, it was to my liking that some "good guys" died as well. Also, I liked realistic round-ups, with some loose ends left, without the U.S. type of spreading happy end.

Competent but not so deep

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 22 December 2018]

'Farang' is a crime thriller centred on Swedish expatriates in Thailand. It's quite entertaining, but also quite shallow. I'd have been more interested had it shown us a more detailed picture of expatriate life, or a more particular portrait of criminality in Thailand; instead, the outlines of the story feels somewhat generic, in spite of the exotic setting. The best character is Birdie, a drug-dealer but not a completely rotten man, caught in between all sides as his chickens come home to roost.Overall, 'Farang' isn't awful, but it doesn't quite capitalise on the opportunity of its intriguing premise.

Low-budget Swedish thriller ... pushes all the right buttons

[ok_english_bt · 8/10 · 28 August 2018]

How did this slip through the net? Don't think money was uppermost in the minds of the makers of 'Farang', but they've woven together a rich suspenseful thriller-drama that restores my faith in Scandi-noir. Shot in Thailand, locations are used cleverly and action filmed with handheld cameras so you feel like you're there on the ground (road, marketplaces, cafes, beaches etc.) with the chief protagonists. Ola Rapace plays Rickard, a man with a mysterious past, joined by his estranged 15-year old daughter Thyra played by Louise Nyvall. Most of the characters in the series are flawed and double-edged with 'history' which leaves you guessing, but information is cleverly revealed a bit at a time. The acting throughout 'Farang' is first-rate, and, after seeing some pretty lame efforts recently ('Modus' and 'Acquitted', please take note!) finally it felt like "the grown-ups have entered the room". Ironic in a way, as Nyvall's performance is a real standout in the series. There are too many good performances to mention here (good supports from the Thai's, for example), but delighted at Claes Ljungmark's appearance late on as the double-crossed Kovac (people may remember his chilling psycho 'P' in Danish thriller 'Follow the Money' last year?).

I'm not sure if the storyline for 'Farang' is based on a novel series, but I hope it gets picked up for another season.

Great show !

[carpener-606-111297 · 9/10 · 21 August 2017]

Great series.Ola Rapace proves he can be a leading man. He's a good actor and charismatic enough to hook you to the screen. Louise Nyvall, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam and Gerhard Hoberstorfer all give solid performances. Rickard (Rapace) is an ex criminal living in Thailand for the past 10 years since he left Sweden with a price on his head. His real name is Ruben Brandt and he lives at the beach, spending his time working at the local bar, having sex with female tourists and at the cock fight underworld. His life changes when his 15 year old daughter comes to find him and now he's exposed again and in danger. What follows next is a fight for survival, since his past tracks him down. From Swedish thugs to Thai drug lords, Rickard must do what he can to make sure he and his daughter make it out alive. Sweaty, sexy, violent and suspenseful, you really feel you're on location with the characters at the bars, beaches, dirty alleys, cock fights, prisons and markets. The photography and production design are wonderful, magical yet realistic. Every episode ends with the "what will happen next" mystery making sure you will return to the next episode. As the director said, if you like character-driven dramas with a tense-thriller element, you will love this show.

The Best suspense show I've seen in awhile

[synergy-92358 · 9/10 · 27 August 2017]

Smoothly mixing themes like "running away", "blind trust", "getting lost", "falling into trouble", "fatherly instincts". Farang (which is the Thai word for foreigners that are European) is a prime example that good television is not about big budgets but more about interesting flawed (and therefore realistic) characters and character driven story telling! The story is well written, but smartly uses few words, and the suspense well done, peeling back the characters background like an onion, never telling you too much too fast. The location of Thailand is beautifully used as a character itself. If you enjoy suspense this show is for you.