The previous output of film studio GTH has led them to being typecast as only being able to produce feel-good movies with an unrealistically positive outlook on life. But with the new thriller Countdown by debut director Nuttawut “Bas” Poonpiriya, who previously studied film in New York, they clearly look to break their stereotypical movie mold.

Set on New Year’s Eve, it follows three Thai roommates living in New York as they prepare to celebrate the end of the year. There’s Bee (Jarinporn “Toey” Junkiat), who apparently came to the Big Apple to escape a dark memory from her past, her party-loving boyfriend Jack (Pachara “Peach” Chirathiwat) and his hi-so roommate Pam (Pattarasaya “Peak” Kreursuwansiri). Jack, who is lying to his family that he’s a student, decides that they should welcome in 2013 with a weed party in their flat and dutifully contacts a mysterious marijuana seller named Jesus (David Assavanond). When Jesus arrives, he becomes the surprise guest at their party where he begins to reveal his dark side and quickly turns his customers’ celebrations into a nightmare.

We admire GTH’s bold move to make such a dark movie while all the other studios release happy holiday flicks, but in a way we feel the problem is that Countdown is just not scary enough. Categorized as 18+, the director does make clever use of the violence, presenting it in a fresh and interesting way compared to other Thai movies, but despite the scary premise the movie never reaches the tense heights we would hope for.

We think that’s mainly down to the way the film is edited as the performances are solid enough, with David Assavanond (Tom Yam Goong) worthy of special mention for his compelling and frightening turn as the ultimate uninvited guest. You can’t help but love him, even when he’s terrifying you with his craziness. Toey also does a good job of shedding her cutesy, girly image even if Peach and Peak can’t quite shake their off-screen personas.

Still, it’s not a bad first effort from Nuttawut who clearly tries to tackle the issue of fading morals in today’s society and the inability of people (especially from certain sections of society) to face up to their mistakes. He obviously wants to get across the message that people should deal with their bad karma before it’s too late, as you might not have tomorrow to fix it.