While not the most technically proficient series, 'Girl From Nowhere" is entertaining, perplexing and totally Thai. Most of the episodes end up with morality tales that don't always fit western mores. You almost expect typical lessons learned, but this show surprises with its sophistication in grappling with societal issues, especially involving young people. It doesn't take itself too seriously, dropping in scenes (like the one in ep 2 with the main character dancing to herself in the schoolyard) that you don't expect. The acting is not that great although the main character is played admirably by a stoic-faced Chicha Amatayakul. Her devious, trouble-making actions put all other characters in tricky positions they have work their way through. Amatayakul's inscrutable demeanor captures the coldness of this mythic creature, whose origins we are never sure of, then explodes with wicked laughter at the malleability for evil in all humans. She carries the series. Special note should be made of the music which is wonderfully low-key and unobtrusive, used sparingly at the right moments to elevate the action. The theme song is equally fine with its Brian Jonestown Massacre shoegaze vibe.
93 Reviews
Dark Thai horror/drama
Tweekums7 July 2021
This Thai series is centred on mysterious school girl Nanno. She starts most episodes in a new school where she quickly starts to shake things up; turning the tables on those who abuse their positions... teachers, senior students or just those whose popularity makes others follow them. It soon becomes apparent that Nanno isn't a normal girl; she often returns from being killed! In some episode she comes across as an avenging angel, in others a malevolent spirit bent on destroying those she has targeted for vengeance.
This series is hard to classify; at times it is horrific and violent; at others it is comical and sometimes it is both. Nanno is a delightfully ambiguous protagonist; her maniacal laughter is quite disturbing. There is a fair amount of violence, some of it quite bloody as well as many disturbing moments. The way the stories progress means that the viewer will initially be firmly behind what Nanno is doing; then when she takes things further the viewer is left feeling somewhat complicit. Chicha Amatayakul does a really fine job as Nanno and the rest of the cast are solid. Some viewers are less keen on season two but I thought it was just as good as the first and liked the addition of a second Nanno-like character... this one even more vengeful. Overall I'd certainly recommend this series even though its somewhat disturbing storylines will mean it won't be for everybody.
These comments are based on watching the series in Thai with English subtitles.
This series is hard to classify; at times it is horrific and violent; at others it is comical and sometimes it is both. Nanno is a delightfully ambiguous protagonist; her maniacal laughter is quite disturbing. There is a fair amount of violence, some of it quite bloody as well as many disturbing moments. The way the stories progress means that the viewer will initially be firmly behind what Nanno is doing; then when she takes things further the viewer is left feeling somewhat complicit. Chicha Amatayakul does a really fine job as Nanno and the rest of the cast are solid. Some viewers are less keen on season two but I thought it was just as good as the first and liked the addition of a second Nanno-like character... this one even more vengeful. Overall I'd certainly recommend this series even though its somewhat disturbing storylines will mean it won't be for everybody.
These comments are based on watching the series in Thai with English subtitles.
Great show... different... super creepy
rehabdoc11 November 2018
Horror series. Great mood. Kind of J-horror crossed with outer limits crossed with grindhouse. Very naturalistic setting And performances, but insert this super creepy lead actress. Definitely uncomfortable, which is a good thing for a piece of art like this. I like that it doesn't give away where it's going as a series right away.
I predict this will be remade in US in English. It's good enough and different enough.
I predict this will be remade in US in English. It's good enough and different enough.
Nanno is THE girlboss
cuccigang17 May 2021
WATCH IT NOW
vegeta-075126 November 2018
I heard good things about it so I turned on Netflix and basically binged the whole show within a day.
Nanno is brilliant, the stories are interesting and at the end I wanted more. The only reason I give it an 8 as there are a couple of episodes I didn't find interesting but the rest are really good. WATCH IT NOW
Nanno is brilliant, the stories are interesting and at the end I wanted more. The only reason I give it an 8 as there are a couple of episodes I didn't find interesting but the rest are really good. WATCH IT NOW
Entertaining!
chloeg-2521 May 2021
This is such a good series and something I enjoy a lot. I have never watched a Thai series, I normally watch either English or Japanese series, but this looked good so I thought I'd watch it. I don't regret it.
At the end of every single episode I think "wow, that was great" Because it is!
I really recommend this! Nanno is such an amazing character and this show is so addicting.
At the end of every single episode I think "wow, that was great" Because it is!
I really recommend this! Nanno is such an amazing character and this show is so addicting.
Hello I'm Nanno
alaningle79 May 2021
When a new student joins the class of a school the life's of the students and teachers are exposed for their wrong doings. The theme of the first two and last two episodes were righting injustices but the ones in between seemed to be about Nanno instigating people to do bad deeds. Overall well acted quirky stories about school life and a maniacal laughing Nanno serving justice.
Nanno Reminds Me of Tomie....
aprilwalton-2768214 November 2018
In a way. Oh boy is this a nasty little show. I pretty much enjoyed every episode. Nanno is something else! There are some aspects of her character that reminds me of Tomie. The lead actress is just right for the part & the first time I heard that laugh it creeped me out. I won't give anything away but I will say this...... Some really wild stuff goes on in this show. These kids are NUTS & Nanno is just the "person" to crack them.
Teenage Thai Black Mirror
soeprijo1920 July 2021
This series actually has a promising premise, but in practice it seems to have lost its way. Some episodes really have viewers on the edge of their seats, some episodes are subpar. And please note, that all the settings are in schools so the development of the story is limited. For me personally, it should only be 8 episodes, not 13 episodes.
Cool concept, but the writing is just awful.
james-0659520 May 2021
I heard about this show on TikTok, and decided to check it out. I'm a teen, so I think I was the target audience here, but WOW.
The concept is cool, for sure, very reminiscent of Junji Ito's Tomie. But the writing is some of the worst I've witnessed in a show. Ever.
A lot of of the episodes feel like something I would write as a short "horror" story in middle school. The theme isn't consistent either, some episode have Nanno punishing people for doing bad things, while others she is just messing with innocents because I guess she feels like it?
It doesn't do a good job of satisfying the audience by punishing the bad characters properly, and often just makes me feel bad for the literal children who do something mildly morally incorrect.
The acting is mediocre as well, with Nanno's "creepy laugh" just seeming so forced and sudden just to add some kind of "psycho" factor to her.
I really enjoy psychological horror, so I was really into it until about episode three, when I sat back and realized "wow, this is actually horrible."
I genuinely don't understand the hype and I wish this could have been executed with better writing.
It could be great, if it just wasn't so sloppy and immature.
The concept is cool, for sure, very reminiscent of Junji Ito's Tomie. But the writing is some of the worst I've witnessed in a show. Ever.
A lot of of the episodes feel like something I would write as a short "horror" story in middle school. The theme isn't consistent either, some episode have Nanno punishing people for doing bad things, while others she is just messing with innocents because I guess she feels like it?
It doesn't do a good job of satisfying the audience by punishing the bad characters properly, and often just makes me feel bad for the literal children who do something mildly morally incorrect.
The acting is mediocre as well, with Nanno's "creepy laugh" just seeming so forced and sudden just to add some kind of "psycho" factor to her.
I really enjoy psychological horror, so I was really into it until about episode three, when I sat back and realized "wow, this is actually horrible."
I genuinely don't understand the hype and I wish this could have been executed with better writing.
It could be great, if it just wasn't so sloppy and immature.
Omg it's crazy and great
Moonstrike98 November 2018
Hidden Gem
onelovek28 February 2020
I put this off for so long because I thought it was going to be a waste of time. I was so wrong. Thank you for leaving reviews that's why I gave this a try. This was brilliant and well written with so many twist and turns. What a shame on Netflix for not having a second season. The main character plays a brilliant role. Her laugh is evil and brilliant. Please watch this, ignore the negative reviews, I promise it won't be a waste of time.
Phenominal show
mrc3033 July 2021
I haven't binge watched a show in ages, but this show is so intriguing. The story of Nanno is slowly revealed, but still a mystery. The production, cinematography, art, music, sound effects literally everything is fantastic. This is the most creative writing I have seen in ages, it is smart, deep, witty, philosophical. I can't say enough about this show. Just when I thought I had the formula figured out, episode 8 unraveled everything I thought I understood. The actress that plays Nanno is brilliant, but all the actors are great, which is a testament to the director.
Now on to season 2.
Now on to season 2.
Drama With A Twist
m_var12310 November 2018
Where to start? This show is a dope drama for me and shares so many things I like in a good series: thrills,drama,and even more thrills. It's dark and gritty,and so thrilling I lost my nerve and went crazy like the protagonist of the show.
Let's talk about Nanno,who the heck is she? A girl who lives in Thailand and transfers from school to school taking justice in her own hands. Not only is she creepy,but she just sits back while people act like dumbies. Two things though: how the heck does she have a phone? And are her parents mentioned?
I watched a few episodes and basically Nanno is trying to get justice on those who have wronged the system. Nothing more then that. Just keep it low key and nothing too high or too low . For me it was wild.
Nanno is a badass girl and if this were written into a graphic novel I would read it. Why the 8 stars? The most thrilling Thai drama I ever watched aside from that Thai film I watched (I Fine...Thank You...Love You.)
In the end,I won't spoil but I really hope to see what more wicked delicious thrills Nanno will cook up next. She's a mysterious girl who has her ways. Who is she? That's the mystery. I can't focus on her,but what is her existence and why does it matter. She really is manipulative and crazy but in a good way. My most favorite epsiode was #8: Lost And Found. Cute and nice. I hate The Wonder Wall though it doesn't have a happy ending. This show has shook me and I hope there are more good quality films out there like this
Final score: 8.3/10
Let's talk about Nanno,who the heck is she? A girl who lives in Thailand and transfers from school to school taking justice in her own hands. Not only is she creepy,but she just sits back while people act like dumbies. Two things though: how the heck does she have a phone? And are her parents mentioned?
I watched a few episodes and basically Nanno is trying to get justice on those who have wronged the system. Nothing more then that. Just keep it low key and nothing too high or too low . For me it was wild.
Nanno is a badass girl and if this were written into a graphic novel I would read it. Why the 8 stars? The most thrilling Thai drama I ever watched aside from that Thai film I watched (I Fine...Thank You...Love You.)
In the end,I won't spoil but I really hope to see what more wicked delicious thrills Nanno will cook up next. She's a mysterious girl who has her ways. Who is she? That's the mystery. I can't focus on her,but what is her existence and why does it matter. She really is manipulative and crazy but in a good way. My most favorite epsiode was #8: Lost And Found. Cute and nice. I hate The Wonder Wall though it doesn't have a happy ending. This show has shook me and I hope there are more good quality films out there like this
Final score: 8.3/10
FIRESTARTER ALREADY!
Peanut713923 November 2018
I just finished the first episode today 11/23/18. Wow, already promising! I wont rate it just yet but this girl Nanno is on fire! I'll be in touch when I finish the complete season. I saw episode 2 11/24/18 and I will say this is bizarre and different enough for me to stay with it. I'm watching other things so I'm going to take my time with this one. Nanno is out there and don't want to give to much. It's good enough for me to see this until the end. I'll be in touch.
A series about demon and karma
fetihkadirii25 December 2021
Nanno is a mysterious sociopathic pretty girl who is immortal. She is often killed but comes back to haunt people who do evil deeds for money, fame and other things that should not matter. Their fate is often humiliation or death.
There's aspects of the series I don't like about. I dislike Nanno's maniacal laughter, not because it is disturbing but because it is over a top and sounds silly. I dislike the fact that from each episode Nanno is a new student with completely different school and students. I want to get to know the characters deeply. I dislike the fact that Nanno have no struggles, I get that she's immortal but still, I would like to see her struggles too.
Overall, I like the series. The first season was quite boring, but the second season gets better.
There's aspects of the series I don't like about. I dislike Nanno's maniacal laughter, not because it is disturbing but because it is over a top and sounds silly. I dislike the fact that from each episode Nanno is a new student with completely different school and students. I want to get to know the characters deeply. I dislike the fact that Nanno have no struggles, I get that she's immortal but still, I would like to see her struggles too.
Overall, I like the series. The first season was quite boring, but the second season gets better.
One of the best shows on Netflix
dadnkyla22 November 2018
DARKLY ENTERTAINING ( with a hefty dose of misanthropy )
lyntonadam22 April 2020
My only previous exposure to Thai TV was a mediocre show full of affluent, attractive young people falling in/out of love & I gave up pretty quickly. This show, however, is a vastly different & refreshing proposition ! Nanno ( Chicha Amatayakul ) is the semi-supernatural girl of the title & she's a student who arrives at a new high school every episode ( apart from 2 doubles ) & proceeds to expose the lies, misdeeds & base emotions which simmer below the surface. And she does this with a great deal of glee, even when she cops it instead of dishing it out. The general tone here is quite dark & misanthropic; it's said that our veneer of civilisation is rather thin & TGFN nods in agreement.
Perhaps it's the churning hormones, but teenagers can be especially vicious & there's a lot of violence & profanity going on. Far less sexual material, though an adult teacher who preys on girls attracts our heroine's attention. The show has two major assets : a star with real presence & a charming smile behind which lurks relentless retribution; & the writers, who tackle modern issues with aplomb & regular cleverness. Mind you, it's not perfect. The acting tends to be variable & a couple of eps are less than riveting, though the visuals are often stylish. All things considered, I thoroughly recommend it. Good title too.
Far from perfect but please: more of this, fewer police procedurals!
GiraffeDoor30 March 2023
How does one describe this to someone who hasn't seen it?
I had no issue; I said "Imagine the Twilight Zone but where Rod Serling is always an actual character in it".
But maybe that's a little lazy...
I always mentally come back to this when I think about recent television that really doesn't want to be just like all the other things; it's not just another sitcom, it's not just another police procedural, it's not just another true crime documentary. None of those things are bad of course, but whenever someone says "send me a recommendation" (especially on that streaming service that must not be named) I just immediately say "Girl From Nowhere!!!"
I can't shake the feeling that no one has seen this show at all except me and a bunch of gender studies majors in Bangkok.
Do I like this show...In the Novel "Little Children" by Tom Perrota, they have this book club and the main character says of Madame Bovary "I cannot quite tell you whether I liked it or not at this point; only that I had a very strong emotional reaction to it."
This is kind of my experience. I watched and I kept watching and I will say with greater commitment that there is nothing more terrifying on its streaming service. This show hits a nerve, I guess, because it shows fairly ordinary people becoming victims of karmic retribution and our title character is that karma catalyst.
The minimal amount I have read about this seems to give it the spin of victims fighting back. The reality is bit more complex than that. Flawed but far from evil kids get a little more than the usual temptation and then are made to pay greatly for it. Usually it's just a matter of being put through the mill and walking away with a lesson learnt but not always. I'm doing my first rewatch and there are a bunch that I just do not need to see again.
But now lets talk about that title character. Ideally a familiar actor never turns up in something but I would break that rule for Chichi...one day I'll memorise that surname. In a sense she's playing many characters since Nanno must chameleonically be whatever she needs to be for the situation which means she can be whatever the writers need her to be on any occasion more or less. She is less like a character and simply a force of nature as an interesting reciprocal to the hotel in the Shining (I don't love that movie though).
It is this decentralized personality that perhaps makes Nanno hard to wrap your head around. Sometimes she's just giving jerks their comeuppance and others she is simply a gremlin except on people's lives rather on technology. I'm inclined to feel she creates as many victims as she defends. This is because indeed, each episode is a thought experiment; it doesn't matter if it's fiction, the interplay of scenarios puts all the "what ifs" into your head that make you ask yourself uncomfortable questions. She is not malicious so much as simply having a sociopathic fascination with what people actually do when the unexpected happens.
Some of the episodes seem air tight: when she tricked people into thinking that a taken guy was her meetcute, that guy at ample opportunities to not exploit the situation before he passed the point of no return. By contrast, the boy who bets he can sleep with Nanno before a certain time seems harmless enough and doesn't deserve the situation thrown onto him.
In case you weren't sure, my calling her gremlin isn't strictly figurative. What she is, is beside the point but while most episodes play out as dramas of eccentric people, there are fantastic elements from time to time as well. If the first episode didn't impress, the second is like to be a lot more memorable if nothing else.
Watch Wonderwall part 1 and 2 you would have a very wrong impression of how the show usually is for a couple of reasons.
The 2nd season livens things up by adding a cool element.
First season has a swell title sequence.
In conclusion, the goal may have been to be a voice for the downtrodden, but the need to actually make a show for better or worse led them to something a bit more nuanced. It holds no punches. Go in with your thickest skin.
I had no issue; I said "Imagine the Twilight Zone but where Rod Serling is always an actual character in it".
But maybe that's a little lazy...
I always mentally come back to this when I think about recent television that really doesn't want to be just like all the other things; it's not just another sitcom, it's not just another police procedural, it's not just another true crime documentary. None of those things are bad of course, but whenever someone says "send me a recommendation" (especially on that streaming service that must not be named) I just immediately say "Girl From Nowhere!!!"
I can't shake the feeling that no one has seen this show at all except me and a bunch of gender studies majors in Bangkok.
Do I like this show...In the Novel "Little Children" by Tom Perrota, they have this book club and the main character says of Madame Bovary "I cannot quite tell you whether I liked it or not at this point; only that I had a very strong emotional reaction to it."
This is kind of my experience. I watched and I kept watching and I will say with greater commitment that there is nothing more terrifying on its streaming service. This show hits a nerve, I guess, because it shows fairly ordinary people becoming victims of karmic retribution and our title character is that karma catalyst.
The minimal amount I have read about this seems to give it the spin of victims fighting back. The reality is bit more complex than that. Flawed but far from evil kids get a little more than the usual temptation and then are made to pay greatly for it. Usually it's just a matter of being put through the mill and walking away with a lesson learnt but not always. I'm doing my first rewatch and there are a bunch that I just do not need to see again.
But now lets talk about that title character. Ideally a familiar actor never turns up in something but I would break that rule for Chichi...one day I'll memorise that surname. In a sense she's playing many characters since Nanno must chameleonically be whatever she needs to be for the situation which means she can be whatever the writers need her to be on any occasion more or less. She is less like a character and simply a force of nature as an interesting reciprocal to the hotel in the Shining (I don't love that movie though).
It is this decentralized personality that perhaps makes Nanno hard to wrap your head around. Sometimes she's just giving jerks their comeuppance and others she is simply a gremlin except on people's lives rather on technology. I'm inclined to feel she creates as many victims as she defends. This is because indeed, each episode is a thought experiment; it doesn't matter if it's fiction, the interplay of scenarios puts all the "what ifs" into your head that make you ask yourself uncomfortable questions. She is not malicious so much as simply having a sociopathic fascination with what people actually do when the unexpected happens.
Some of the episodes seem air tight: when she tricked people into thinking that a taken guy was her meetcute, that guy at ample opportunities to not exploit the situation before he passed the point of no return. By contrast, the boy who bets he can sleep with Nanno before a certain time seems harmless enough and doesn't deserve the situation thrown onto him.
In case you weren't sure, my calling her gremlin isn't strictly figurative. What she is, is beside the point but while most episodes play out as dramas of eccentric people, there are fantastic elements from time to time as well. If the first episode didn't impress, the second is like to be a lot more memorable if nothing else.
Watch Wonderwall part 1 and 2 you would have a very wrong impression of how the show usually is for a couple of reasons.
The 2nd season livens things up by adding a cool element.
First season has a swell title sequence.
In conclusion, the goal may have been to be a voice for the downtrodden, but the need to actually make a show for better or worse led them to something a bit more nuanced. It holds no punches. Go in with your thickest skin.
Bad acting and boring storyline
lilyovers11 February 2022
Great show!
mrmomo228 April 2019
THANK YOU NETFLIX!!
dienamik2211 September 2019
Great original series, recommended!
nico-1853 June 2021
It's slightly similar to Black Mirror. There is a quality difference between episodes but there are great episodes in both season 1 and season 2. Most of the acting is excellent, especially Chicha Amatayakul. The makers are clearly not afraid to experimenting and I like that a lot. I prefer originality over yet another formulaic Hollywood series. My favorite episode is Liberation (S2, Ep6) whish is pure art.
Hell Girl & Twilight Zone
Ollem200020 November 2018
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