Netflix‘s new John Wick-esque thriller dashes up the streaming charts in just days.
Keanu Reeves’ John Wick franchise changes cinema by presenting a visceral revenge tale with kinetic action and a no-nonsense assassin. The series spawned three sequels, a Ballerina spinoff, and a one-season prequel series, while Donnie Yen’s Caine spinoff has wrapped filming. While the John Wick series remains active in some capacity, other studios have attempted to replicate that success, including Netflix’s new Thai thriller, The Debt Collector.
Recently, Tudum by Netflix reported that The Debt Collector has become a streaming hit after landing at #3 on the Top 10 Non-English movies during the week of July 20 to July 26. In fact, the thriller earned 7.6 million views and ranked as the fifth most-viewed film, behind 72 Hours, A Toxic Love Story, Elize: Shadows of a Woman, and Desire.
Meanwhile, the Netflix movie has surpassed new releases like The Truthers, Love in Slow Motion, and Suzzanna: Witchcraft. The revenge thriller is gaining attention in the United States and sits at #10 on August 1. Additionally, it is also in the top 10 charts in 56 countries, including Brazil, Honduras, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, and Kuwait. It’s also the #1 movie in its home country, Thailand.
The Debt Collector follows the titular protagonist, who is haunted by his past and served time in prison. The now-terminally ill debt collector returns to the underworld to avenge the injustices of the loan shark victims. While the Netflix movie doesn’t have a Rotten Tomatoes score, reviews praise the stunt work and dark atmosphere, but a criticism is the cliché story.
Netflix’s new thriller has plenty of similarities to the John Wick series, including a retired yet lethal protagonist with a dark past, a revenge premise, and highly choreographed action with gun-fu and martial arts. Funnily, the trailer also acknowledges this comparison, as one supporting character compares the anti-hero to John Wick.
The Debt Collector was directed by Surapong Ploensang, who co-wrote the story with Ornusa Donsawai and Pun Homchuen. Nadech Kugimiya portrays the titular anti-hero, while the remaining cast includes Daou Pittaya Saechua, Chaiwat Thongsaeng, Ploypaphas Fonkaewsiwaporn, Jack Jonathan Holman, and Kunkanich Khumkrong.
The Debt Collector is now streaming on Netflix.