Netflix’s “Hunger” will satisfy your thriller cravings
Hungry enough for your dreams? From a humble beginning, a hunger to be special took Aoy from cooking in her family stir-fried noodles eatery to a top luxury restaurant. Little did she know, her new fancy job is not all glitz and glory. Her new boss, Chef Paul, hides something sinister that will rock Aoy’s world.
Netflix’s Hunger will satisfy your thriller cravings
Hunger is a spicy and fiery movie treat!
Released on Netflix on April 8, 2023, Hunger is not your average cooking film. The director Sitisiri Mongkolsiri goes beyond the appetizing cuisine. A psychological thriller, drama, and a dash of romance, this film is a treat.
Like traditional Thai cuisine, Hunger is spicy in mincing the social disparity between rich and poor. I enjoy how the movie splendidly utilizes food in reflecting class conflict and wealth inequality.
Aoy and Tone
Aoy, played by Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, reflects the aspirations of talented dreamers who did not have the chance to reach their full potential due to their financial situation. She had to take over their family business when her father got ill.
The universe must have seen Aoy’s struggles as they sent Tone along her way. Gunn Svasti portrays Tone as charming, like a knight in shining armor. He offered Aoy a ticket to change her life and a chance to audition in Hunger, the restaurant that only feeds the richest of the rich.
Wok and Fire
Fed up with her mundane, repetitive life, Aoy wanted to be something more. She took Tone’s invitation, and her skills with wok and fire caught the eye of the renowned Chef Paul, played by Nopachai Chaiyanam.
As someone from the bottom, Aoy is persistent, hardworking, and tenacious in working her way up. After Aoy got the taste of the spotlight, success became her kind of drug. She’s determined to prove herself as an excellent chef or even better than her mentor Chef Paul.
Chef’s kiss acting
I expect nothing less from Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying as the protagonist. I’ve known her from her movies Bad Genius and Happy Old Year.
Chutimon has these expressive eyes that communicate her feelings without using words. She channeled the frustration of being powerless, the anger of social injustice, and the fierce bravery to rise above it all. She fought the system hard, and along the way, she slowly became the person she despised the most.
Nopachai Chaiyanam as Chef Paul is an absolute menace to society. His stoic and cold demeanor hints to me that he hides something terrible. I’m torn if I should root for or loathe him. As every villain has their own tragic backstory, he embodies the oppressed who became the oppressor.
Cunning commentary comes with catchy cinematography
Aside from being visually pleasing, I appreciate the symbolism behind each food they serve to the elite. It is bloody, unhealthy, and full of MSG. The kitchen has a dark and eerie vibe mimicking Chef Paul’s persona. However, Aoy’s pad see ew restaurant is warm, homey, and welcoming, just like her family.
The movie’s central theme is the playful commentary on the social class difference. Interestingly, I enjoy how it also tackled the greed to be successful and the obsession with perfection. It got me thinking about what real success is. What are you willing to do to reach the peak? And what’s next? Is it even worth every sacrifice?
