On Cloud Nine (2022)

A most beautiful journey into the unknown

This review will be short, because I'm not going to spoil the plot here. Only this much about the story: It is mysterious, philosophical, confusing, absolutely unique, and it is not being told in a linear way, but even if you don't understand what's going on in the earlier episodes, it will glue you to your screen. At the end of every episode it felt like torture having to wait a whole week before getting more hints – this series is a masterpiece of suspense.

Like the three ”Once in memory” short films which were produced by the same production company, MindTrio, ”On Cloud Nine” is another example of what a small company can achieve with creativity and dedication.

What makes this series so outstanding is the fact that all elements are amazing. The cinematography is just great, the writing excellent, the directing very good, the editing with only very few flaws, the settings in Chiang Mai and the mountains of Northern Thailand are breathtaking sometimes, and the atmosphere which is created by images and music has made me indescribably happy like no other Bl series before.

And then there are the actors. Rossi Nonthakorn as Mon/Mork is simply brilliant – other actors won't be able to express with all their body and face what he can express with his eyes. Meen Nattakrit as Tiew comes across a little superficial in the beginning, but that is deliberate, because he shows his full acting skills in the later episodes. New Saharat as Wise, the angel-like character, plays his part so convincingly that he gave me goosebumps.

If you want to watch another BL series similar to the dozens or hundreds of high school or college drama you've watched before, this is not a series you'll enjoy. But if you are willing to open your mind, to be surprised, to wonder, to look for hints, and to let a completely unusual Bl series put a spell on you, you will experience a most beautiful journey into the unknown, and the happiest sad ending of all times.

Mind Trio have announced that there may be a season 2 if they find sponsors. I hope and pray they will.

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The allure of confusion...

STORY:
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This is definitely not a linear, progressive story-telling... Or is it?

Confused? That is the general approach in its story-telling. It will not serve you all the details in a silver platter, the build up is a deliberate messy like from episode to episode just when you have a theory in mind, it gets thrown off the window on the last scene of each episode. You will get that feeling that you know what is the story but somehow it does not fit watch you are watching and yet you keep watching it?

That is the allure part. At the end of episode most probably you will be scratching your head. You might been tempted to watch episode 1 again to check you are watching the very same series. It just makes no sense, and you will be left wonering: Have I been click-baited? But that is the beauty and originality of this series.

This is a jigsaw puzzle where pieces of it are given to you in terms of what is being said, how they dressed, and even the hairstyle. It is all in the details.

Episode 5 is the big reveal. If you are patient enough and reach that episode, you will get an idea what has been happening all along. Both Rossi and Meen raised their acting level skill here, especially the former. Been a while since I felt what they are feeling. Watch out for that runny nose and teary eyes!

Alas! The finale. It will not only play with your head but also with your heart. But after that roller-coaster episode 6 ride, your heart can take it easy.

ACTING/CAST
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Rossi as Mork - His main asset is his eyes, there are moments that as if they are the ones talking to you. This is not his first project with MindTrio and if you got the chance to watch "Once In Memory". There are 2, each short movie showing one side of the characters. Rarely I watched those kind of series/movie. It is such a breath of fresh air.

Meen as Tiew - Don't be fooled with this classy clothes, captivating smile, as it can break your heart in an instant! He started in Calculating Love a 2020 project of MindTrio and when this aired, he also appears in Oh My Sunshine Night. Honestly, I can not remember his part in the 2020 series either his role was not this significant or I was too focused on Quin and

New - got to watch this fellow also in Calculating Love, the curly hair, imperfect teeth, who acts awkwardly and yet you can feel his confidence does not scare to bare it.

MUSIC
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Nothing significant that could stick to the mind

REWATCH VALUE
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For a mystery type of story, once you figure the answer, then it is no longer a mystery. You might watch to check if there were hints and pieces that were given away early on. But I generally do not re-watch.

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