Dalah: Death and the Flowers (2025)

A classic yet stylish murder mystery series from Netflix Thailand

This was yet another high value production from Netflix. Similar "murdery mystery" vibes to In Family We Trust or Master of The House.

There's a lot less detective work than what was previously promoted and the story seems to focus more on unraveling backstories and past events, the vibes of this execution is somewhat reminescent of PS I Hate You (shoutout to Pat Chayanit who's a main character in both series). Fans of murder mystery series may find the 'killer' rather predictable but it's really interesting to see flowers and philosophy of flower arranging being incorporated into this series, which is a fresh and unique take.

The scenes themselves are rather draggy, a lot of beauty wide shots for cinematography purposes. The series itself is not as fast paced as its Netflix Thai murder mystery predecessor Master Of The House (I could feel many comparisons are gonna be made due this work being one of the most successful Netflix Thai originals last year).

The series is salvaged by a solid performance from Yaya and its very compelling cast of supporting characters. My favorite character is hotel manager/detective assistant Sarath who's just the most adorable, charming, "written-by-a-female" love interest ever in a murder mystery.

The series' treatment of female characters, issues of SA, misogyny, gender inequality, feminism, power politics are done well and I definitely would credit this to creator Prabda Yoon for inviting solely female directors and female writers to work with him on this series. The voice in the writing of this series is very distinctively female 🌈

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Exceptional production values!

While other reviews highlight the plot and acting, I want to shine a light on the production aspects. I'm here to give a little love to all the hardworking folks behind the scenes who make magic with this series. It's been a while since I’ve been so satisfied watching a series with such outstanding visual and production values. The cinematography and visual storytelling have truly left me in awe, standing out in stark contrast to the storytelling itself.

I’m a sucker for beauty shots, and I praised the directors for being generous with it. Thai dramas typically don't focus heavily on visual aesthetics, but this series breaks the mold with its stunning camerawork. The flowers, as the title suggests, are the center of the story, presented through a lot of extreme close-up shots (ECU) that elevate the storytelling. This approach not only deepens the ambiance but also adds a layer of intensity to each episode, all without relying heavily on acting. Exceptional!

Another noteworthy aspect is the music. I’m not a music expert, but the music scores work effectively. Instead of using the dissonant chord patterns to create tension and unease, this series features the enchanting blend of piano, violin, and cello, along with the soft humming of women in certain scenes, creating a hauntingly beautiful soundscape. It increases the emotional manipulation without necessarily creating suspense. Fantastic!

One of my favorite parts of this series is the opening montage. Rather than just listing the cast and key production staff, it creatively serves as the introduction to the episode, eliminating the need for a typical previous episode recap. Brilliant!

Despite the great execution and outstanding attention to details, I personally feel that the plots lack a certain punch. There's a clear issue with character development. With so many characters to highlight, some end up feeling a bit flat. Take Risa, for instance. Even though she’s a key player, her character doesn’t really stand out, which is a bummer since Pat Chayanit is such a talented actress.

While the storylines might not be super gripping and the plot twist is a bit predictable, overall, it's an engaging drama series with with top-notch production quality. If you appreciate a show that's a feast for the eyes, with solid performances and beautiful sound, you should definitely check it out.

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