The Abandoned (2023) – Movie Review
As migrant workers increasingly disappear, a cop still mourning their partner finds the case to be just the distraction she needs.
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Plot Summary
After the death of her fiancée, Deputy Captain Wu Chieh wasn’t in the best spirits as New Year’s Day was approaching. Luckily for her, though not the victim(s), she is assigned a case to solve the murder and disappearance of migrants alongside a new recruit, Wei-shan.
But, with a litany of migrants missing in what appears to be Taiwan, this case isn’t easy, and people like Yu-sheng are not only trying to protect their business of exploiting migrant workers but also impetuous.
Content Information
- Dialog: Cursing (Occasional)
- Violence: Amputation/Dismemberment, Blood, Weapon Violence (Type: Knife, Gun), Self-Harm, Murder (Attempted/ Depicted)
- Sexual Content: Nudity (Brief | Breasts/ Full)
- Miscellaneous: Depiction of Corpses, Body Horror, Depiction of Medical Procedures, Smoking, Urination
General Information
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Director(s) |
Ying-Ting Tseng |
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Screenplay By |
Pin Chun Lin Ying-Ting Tseng Yi-Chien Yang |
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Date Released |
December 31, 2023 |
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How To Watch |
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Genre(s) |
Crime, Drama, Thriller, Non-English (Mandarin) |
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Film Length |
1 Hour 44 Minutes |
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Content Rating |
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Noted Characters and Cast |
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Deputy Captain Wu Chieh |
Janine Chang |
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Wei-shan |
Chloe Xiang |
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Yu-sheng |
Ethan Juan |
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Wu Chieh (Janine Chang)
Still mourning the loss of her romantic and potentially professional partner, Deputy Captain Wu is currently in the process of transferring out of the investigation unit for a different assignment.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Invisible Guest.”
Wei-shan (Chloe Xiang)
A new recruit to the investigation unit, it is noted she was top of her class, but while she is talented regarding procedures and theory, she is not the most adept in the field.
Yu-sheng (Ethan Juan)
Alongside working or owning a convenience store, Yu-sheng also helps arrange work and fake identification for migrant workers.
Collected Quote(s)
When there are too many forks in the road, ask the person who built it.
— Deputy Captain Wu
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Highlights
A Quality Mystery
While, as noted below, some of the players may not get you invested in their safety, it is undeniable that the mystery of who is hurting, kidnapping, and likely killing the migrant workers and why is intriguing. Especially since “The Abandoned” isn’t trying to be overly clever or pursue a simple route. It brings a good balance of respecting the viewer enough to give them crumbs but not having the reveal be so outlandish that it feels like they made up a twist to have one.
Investment In DC Wu’s Mental Health
At the beginning of the film, as you see DC Wu perhaps ready to join her partner, there is a need to question if she’ll be alright. Thankfully, the way the film operates, it neither dwells too much on her partner’s death nor tries to push feelings of guilt, loved ones, or new romances onto her. She is the type who recognizes an idle mind is the devil’s playground, and while she may protest to the rookie being on the case, it was nice to see their relationship remain professional and not veer towards them becoming besties.
On The Fence
Slight Indifference Towards Supporting Cast
To be frank, the case DC Wu is on is surprisingly more dangerous than you would expect, and between firearms going off and people being stabbed, there is violence. But, while we get to know DC Wu and build a connection with her, the same can’t really be said for anyone else.
Among the named characters, Wei-shan doesn’t evolve more than being the rookie at the top of her class. We don’t learn where she is from, why she decided to be a cop, none of that. In some ways, that is beneficial, for if all she did was talk non-stop to try to bond with DC Wu, either as a mentor or because they both were women, that could get annoying. Yet, with not learning about her, it makes the multiple life-or-death situations she is in not feel like a big deal or impactful.
The same goes for Yu-sheng. While it is clear, like others in the movie, he has certainly fallen for a migrant woman, and his relationship with one that has gone missing has left him in a state of disarray, he isn’t fleshed out to the point of really caring about him as a person. He is simply a part of the migrant worker exploitation workflow and just so happen to take note of one enough to date them.
And beyond those two, no one operates beyond their role. DC Wu and Wei-Shen’s boss might be kind at times, but he isn’t trying to open up and allow the audience to get to know him. Then, when it comes to Yu-sheng’s associates or even a love rival, again, there isn’t much to hold onto. Some present a threat to other people’s lives, but unless it is DC Wu’s life, most, if not all, feel expendable.
Good If You Like
- Simple, but not dull mystery movies that have a touch of notable violence
- A lead who isn’t outright sullen but isn’t chipper
Recommendations
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