Netflix's Newest 2024 Dystopian Thriller is a Must-Watch for Tarantino Fans

Summary

• There's something very Pulp Fictionesque about it.
• It's a stylishly shot movie with the hallmarks of Tarantino.
• It has a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It's not always easy to put a movie on par with Tarantino's masterpieces, but this Indonesian thriller certainly has a bit of Pulp Fiction feel to it. Of course, Tarantino has a unique style that would be difficult for any director to fully replicate, let alone someone with only three feature films under their belt.

Based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Sabda Armandio, Yosep Anggi Noen's 24 Hours with Gaspar doesn't try too hard to be Tarantinoesque. And that's part of its charm. Whether it deliberately bears his signature, is simply influenced by his work, or is just proof that there are always odds involved when it comes to creating styles and stories, what can be said with some certainty is that fans of the legendary director are sure to love 24 Hours with Gaspar.

What's it about?

24 Hours with Gaspar follows a private investigator named Gaspar who has 24 hours to live. Due to a condition that has his heart on the right side of his body, he knows he's on his last day on Earth and is desperate to tie up some loose ends before he finally shuffles off this mortal coil.

It's a dystopian thriller starring Reza Rahadian, who has an impressive filmography of movies and TV shows you may never have heard of, but which have usually been well-received in his native Indonesia.

In the movie, Gaspar is out to right some wrongs from his past and find out what really happened to his childhood friend Kirana, who just disappeared one day. To be fair, he's probably more focused on getting revenge on the man he thinks is responsible for her disappearance than finding out the full facts in the short time he has left.

To help him in his quest, he cobbles together a motley crew of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. To add to his list of problems to solve as the clock ticks agonizingly away, he's also just discovered a series of mass graves that he believes are evidence of possible human trafficking crimes.

Is it really as good as Pulp Fiction?

Few movies are as good as Pulp Fiction. What you get with this movie is a stylish piece of cinematography that has echoes of Tarantino's work. It's got action, a compelling plot, and a fair amount of mystery.

The fight scenes are nicely choreographed and will appeal to fans of Tarantino's work. With good use of flashbacks, dialogue and setting, 24 Hours with Gaspar has many of the neo-noir trappings associated with Tarantino's best work.

The ongoing countdown helps to create a dramatic tension that gets better and more intense as the film nears its conclusion. I won't spoil the ending, but let's just say there's a satisfying payoff, much like you'd expect from Quentin Tarantino.

What do the critics say?

24 Hours with Gaspar has a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics saying it's 'a decent thriller that should keep you interested until the credits roll,' has 'an interesting premise,' is 'visually solid,' and features 'impeccably choreographed' fight scenes.

It was scheduled for release in Indonesia in 2024, but that was shelved after Netflix bought the rights to stream it. As the number one streaming service in the world, that move in itself is a pretty good indication that this is a movie worth watching.