The Paradise of Thorns (2024) - streaming on Netflix
In this drama, love blossoms between Thongkam (Jeff Satur) and Sek (Pongsakorn Mettarikanon), an unmarried gay couple building a humble life together in their durian orchard– only for it to be shattered by Sek’s sudden death. Without legal protections for same-sex partnerships, Thongkam faces profound grief and a bitter legal battle against Sek’s family: his disabled mother, Saeng (Srida Puapimol), and adopted sister, Mo (Engfa Waraha). Amid this conflict, Mo finds herself torn between the expectations of daughterhood and the challenges of defining her own path as a woman.
Why it’s one of the best: The Paradise of Thorns is thought-provoking, socially conscious and deeply engaging, offering a sharp critique of Thailand’s marriage equality laws. Jeff Satur’s portrayal of Thongkam is riveting, capturing a delicate balance between victimhood and strategic survival. The film also exposes society’s tendency to value legal status over true devotion, while exploring universal themes of love, loss and the fight to preserve one’s legacy.