Necromancer (2005 film) explained

Necromancer
Director:Piyapan Choopetch
Cinematography:Nattawut Kittikhun
Editing:Piyapan Choopetch
Distributor:RS Film
Runtime:118 minutes
Country:Thailand
Language:Thai

Necromancer (Thai: จอมขมังเวทย์, translit. Jom kha mung wej) is a 2005 Thai drama film directed by Piyapan Choopetch and starring Chatchai Plengpanich and Akara Amarttayakul. It is very loosely based on the 1996 killing of some drug dealers by police, but with an added dimension of witchcraft battles between police and ex-police.

Plot

Itti (Chatchai Plengpanich) is a former police officer, now convicted criminal, and endowed with powerful black magic abilities that make him a feared prisoner. He is moved to solitary confinement in a specially constructed cell, but with his mind-reading abilities, is able to detect a weakness in the one jailor who brings him food. In his interactions with the jailor, he is able to take over the man's mind and use the man to help him escape.

A young police officer, Santi (Akara Amarttayakul) is assigned to track Itti down, and in confronting Itti, Santi becomes increasingly obsessed with gaining magical powers himself.

Release and reception

Produced by RS Film, Necromancer was released in Thai cinemas on March 10, 2005.

Chatchai Plengpanich won the best actor award for his role at the Thailand National Film Awards.

The film has been released on Region 3 DVD, with English subtitles, and was marketed in English-speaking territories with the tagline: "Someone's out to hex you."