What happens when a young girl with supernatural sensitivity befriends a restless spirit to solve an old murder? Senior (Run Phee) sets out to be both a mystery thriller and a ghost story, but its uneven tone keeps it from becoming truly compelling.
The film follows Mon, a boarding school student with the ability to sense the past through smell, who encounters a ghost known only as "Senior." Together, they investigate a decades-old case tied to the school's dark history, uncovering secrets that blend teenage angst, romance, and spectral vengeance.
Analytically, the film deserves credit for its ambition. Wisit Sasanatieng, known for his distinctive visual style (Tears of the Black Tiger, Citizen Dog), infuses Senior with stylish cinematography, colorful frames, and inventive ghostly effects. The concept of a teenage girl teaming up with a ghost detective is intriguing, offering fresh potential within the Thai horror genre. Performances by Jannine Weigel and Phongsakon Tosuwan bring youthful energy, and the mystery element adds a suspenseful aspect of engagement.
However, the film struggles with tonal consistency. Attempts to juggle school comedy, romance, and chilling horror result in a disjointed narrative. The pacing falters, as comedic interludes often undercut the tension, and the central mystery unfolds predictably. While the visuals are striking, they cannot fully compensate for thin character development and a lack of emotional depth.
Rating: 4/10 - Senior is a stylish but uneven ghost mystery, offering flashes of creativity but failing to deliver the cohesion needed for a truly haunting experience.
