Headshot 2012

Tul, portrayed by Nopachai Chaiyanam, is a hitman whose life dramatically changes after a fateful assignment goes awry. While carrying out a task, he is shot in the head, plunging him into a three-month coma. Upon waking, he discovers that his perception of reality has been completely altered—everything he sees is inverted. This surreal experience leaves him questioning the nature of his injury: is it a strange consequence of his trauma, or a form of karmic payback for his violent lifestyle?

As Tul grapples with his new reality, he encounters an enigmatic young woman, played by Chanokporn Sayoungkul, who further complicates his already tumultuous existence. She’s upfront about her attraction to men in uniform, which immediately piques his interest but also raises suspicions about her intentions. Who is she, and how is she connected to the dangerous game that ensnares Tul?

The narrative, based on Win Lyovarins’ novel Rain Falling Up the Sky, unfolds in a complex, non-linear format that reveals the dark transformation of Tul from a dedicated police officer into a ruthless assassin. This descent into the criminal underworld is marked by a series of violent events, including a shocking murder and an encounter with corruption and betrayal that’s all too familiar in the lawless corners of contemporary Bangkok. His moral compass hangs by a thread, and he must navigate through treachery, with each choice heavy with consequence.

As we delve deeper into Tul’s chaotic journey, the film, directed by Pen-ek Ratanaruang, immerses us in a world painted in muted tones, reflecting the bleakness of his path. The haunting score by Vichaya Vatanasapt adds to the sense of an unending spiral downward, echoing Tul’s struggle to reclaim his life and identify amidst the shadows that surround him. Throughout his harrowing ordeal, Tul’s character remains the embodiment of a man caught between duty and a violent reality, constantly seeking redemption—even when faced with the darkness of his past. Ultimately, Headshot challenges viewers with philosophical questions about life, morality, and the law, leaving us pondering the true nature of humanity.