Last Twilight BL Review: An Endearing Portrait of Life and Fate

After watching Moonlight Chicken one might wonder what could be better than this and yet when the first episode of Last Twilight drops, one is in awe of yet another masterpiece created. Here is our review of Last Twilight Thai BL series.

Expectations are higher than ever when a series of  Aof Noppharnach Chaiyahwimhon drops after a brilliant array of content like ATOTS, Bad Buddy and Moonlight Chicken. Every series of his is always better than the previous one. His works have been the recipient of best LGBTQIA+ (Asia Content Awards) content for three consecutive years.

Last Twilight: Storyline

Last Twilight is the story of a young man, a national athlete who is losing his vision gradually and a mechanic who is completely lost in life. Their coming together due to their respective circumstances in life form the crux of the story.

First Impressions

There aren’t many creators who can give a soulful first episode on television. Yet the creators of Last Twilight managed to do that. We meet the protagonists Day and Mhok through some life-changing events in their lives. There is drama but it is not melodramatic. The narration keeps you engaged and makes you root for the characters.

The Making of Last Twilight

The Writing

Last Twilight has a tight screenplay written by  Bee Pongsate Lucksameepong and Best Kittisak Kongka. The writing excels phenomenally in characterization.

We know that Day’s stubbornness comes from his helplessness, we understand the upright nature of Mhok and we also realize the strain in the relationship between the two brothers, Day and Night.

But it is really in moments where it breathes the writing of Last Twilight comes alive. Take for example Day’s going alone into a library just to stumble down. It creates a sense of pathos in the viewers and it breaks our hearts and we feel for him just like Mhok does.

The Direction

As always, Aof’s direction hits home brilliant moments. In the library scene I mentioned earlier or in a character’s sentiments with a car, everything is carried out meticulously.

We are given an accurate insight into a character just through a scene where he restlessly waits outside for an interview. Everything that we need to know about him is in that scene that has no dialogue.

The storytelling is enhanced with impactful editing. The opening scene cuts back and forth to the two characters to show what’s happening in their lives in similar timeframes. It’s simply brilliant.

Cinematography and Music

A shoutout to the stunning cinematography. The brilliant camerawork is even more apparent in Mhok’s conversation with a garage owner. Each and every shot there yells innovation. Also whoever did the music elevates the storytelling as the music merges smoothly to the edit.

The Performances in Last Twilight

Last Twilight wouldn’t be this good if not for the perfect cast.
Namtan Tipnaree Weerawatnodom and Film Rachanun Mahawan shine in their minuscule appearances.

Ohm Thipakorn Thitathan has the first dialogue in the entire series and he does a good job. Hopefully, we get to see more of him in the upcoming episodes.

Mark Pakin Kunaanuwit plays a character that we have never seen him play before. He has a knack for playing complex characters (Only Friends) and he nails it as Day’s conflicted older brother Night. He is really a promising talent.

Jimmy Jitaraphol Potiwihok‘s portrayal of Mhok comes off really as a surprise. He has this impeccable, charismatic offscreen persona but not for a moment do we think of that when he transforms into Mhok (a shoutout to the costume designer). He is unforgettable as the rowdy-like, uncouth and straightforward Mhok.

Sea Tawinan Anukoolprasert has a tricky role to play in a man gradually going blind. I have seen actors playing blind characters before either utterly failing or making it just another blind character.

But Sea’s portrayal of Day is his own (I also love how he is named Day even though his world is becoming darker). He makes you ache for the character. I truly think he is one of those versatile actors who can ace any character that is given to him.

Final Thoughts

If every episode matches up to the first episode, Last Twilight has the potential to be the best series of the year. If so, Aof will be competing with himself for that trophy (Moonlight Chicken). I truly can’t wait for the next episode.

Update/ Last Twilight is Engaging and Emotional

Last Twilight: Episode 2-3

Kudos to the brilliant filmmaking, the series will be forever remembered.

The attention to detail is praiseworthy. Even the costumes of the actors are carefully chosen. In the second episode, Mhok (Jimmy) wears a t-shirt that says; “fart proudly” and Day (Sea) wears one that says; “capacity intensive care,” – true to the sensibilities of their respective characters.

Director Aof definitely loves beautiful, creative shots that make every frame visually appealing. It’s got a warm vintage vibe.

His fixation with long single shots can be seen here too as in Moonlight Chicken. It’s in these shots that the viewer is given direct entry to the world created or to what a character is feeling.

Again, the cinematographer has done a phenomenal job in all these. Especially, in scenes where a character is in distress, the camera is not static and moves with his emotions, giving the viewer a feeling of witnessing a vulnerable moment so closely.

Writing is splendid. Every single detail is there for a reason. Be it a commonplace thing as a pink t-shirt or a mobile charger, everything has something to contribute to the narrative.

The main character searching for the novel Last Twilight is a brilliant way of clubbing the worlds of both the book and the series. It’s very much an Italo Calvino thing.

The only thing that made me cringe a little is Mhok’s character blindfolding himself in a market to understand Day’s situation. But then, it’s Mhok. He is so thick-skinned that he would do anything.

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