Nobodyimportant

Lazy ending

This is usually my favorite kind of plot: a female lead transported into a novel or the past, so I was genuinely excited, especially since the male lead is quite talented. Unfortunately, while the story had potential, it was painfully slow. I kept watching, hoping it would pick up, but it never did. Nothing about the drama felt exciting, which is disappointing because this type of plot has huge potential to be genuinely funny...and it wasn’t.

The ending didn’t help either. I could predict it from miles away, since this isn’t the first Chinese drama to use the “writing the story” loophole to get around the transmigration ban ( wink a dream within a dream which did this way better ). The conclusion felt extremely lazy : “how he comes into her world is a story for another time” just sounds like the writers didn’t know how to end their own script.

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A Revenge Plot Ruined by Its Own Romance

My 2 Cents on Payback:

I finally finished Payback after starting it mostly due to FOMO, and I’m honestly baffled by the hypetrain surrounding this show.
A revenge plot is usually right up my alley, but the central romance completely ruined the execution. The biggest issue? Director Arthur. He is a terribly written character: flat, dimensional as a sheet of paper, and deeply unlikable. Instead of coming off as a compelling romantic lead, his instant obsession with Sun felt pushy, creepy, and boundary-crossing. The idea that a high-powered CEO has endless time to persistently harass a random stranger, all while harboring a weirdly convenient fixation on his mysterious "pink bunny" strains logic beyond belief.
The performance didn't help either. Arthur’s acting fell completely flat, and while Sun was a much better character with actual depth and motivation, even he struggled to carry certain scenes. Their chemistry was thoroughly off, and throwing graphic NC scenes at the audience can't magically fix a lack of genuine spark.
Between Arthur's terrible characterization and the weak acting, I never felt a shred of true love from them. it came off as a sick, toxic dynamic rather than genuine romance.
What makes this so frustrating is that the glimpse into the toxic side of the entertainment industry was genuinely fascinating. I would’ve loved to see the show highlight that dark plot instead of abandoning it for cheap romance.

Ironically, the side characters carried the show. Sun, Sky, and the manager made a fantastic, entertaining trio, and I would’ve happily traded the predictable, forced romance for more of their dynamic. To top it off, the finale was a rushed mess trying to tie up loose ends way too quickly.

Verdict: Decent production value and a premise with potential, but plagued by weak acting and an insufferable lead. If you’re looking for strong chemistry or an intricate plot, this one will leave you frustrated.

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Mid Acting, Toxic Tropes, and Highly Ironic Karma for Homophobic Parents

I started watching this drama out of pure curiosity. The beginning was actually quite nice...just a cute college couple navigating life together. However, things took a sharp, bizarre turn after the breakup arc and the screwed up kidnapping plot line. From that point on, the bottom was abused in every possible way and nothing made sense ( I don't even get why he got married to that girl to begin with). Honestly, the only ending that would have made any sense was for them to separate. Instead, the top's toxic, unstable behavior was romanticized, which completely put me off.

Don't even get me started on the second leads...they were entirely unnecessary and deeply infuriating. While the second top wasn't quite as bad, the second bottom was easily one of the worst characters I've ever seen in a BL. Together, they lacked chemistry, and their scenes were just weird and cringey. The only saving grace was the accidental comedy of seeing highly homophobic parents end up with the most aggressively bottom children in history.

This show missed a great opportunity. It could have been a wholesome story about a gay couple finding their way despite a homophobic society and unsupportive parents. Instead, it devolved into a messy "dark romance" that wasn't even compelling. It was just uncomfortable to watch. Combined with highly mediocre acting, I genuinely don't understand the point of writing plots like this.

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Unpopular Opinion: I Don’t Get the Hype for "The Best Thing"

I’ll be blunt: I really tried to see what everyone else is seeing in this drama, but it was an uphill battle. I understand the premise was supposed to be a "healing rom-com," but there’s a fine line between "healing" and "empty," and this show crossed it early on.
Calling this "slow-burn" is being generous! It felt like a show with no plot for the vast majority of the episodes. There was zero narrative momentum, making it an incredibly difficult watch. I found myself skipping through massive chunks of episodes because literally nothing was happening. It had a spark of potential at the very start, but it quickly devolved into a repetitive, mid-tier slog.
The Female Lead: One Expression, Zero Impact
I have nothing personal against the actress, but her performance in this was painful to sit through. She seemed to have exactly one expression for the entire show: a perpetually shocked face. Even the emotional beats were off; when she was supposed to be crying, it actually looked like she was laughing.
Adding to the frustration was the voice....whether it was the dubbing or her actual delivery, she whispered her way through the entire show. It made the character feel ghostly and hollow, and honestly, it’s made me want to avoid her future projects entirely.
As for the male lead, he’s the ultimate example of a "cardboard green flag." He was so over-the-top perfect that he became insanely bland and one-dimensional. There was no depth to work with. Furthermore, the "insane chemistry" people are raving about? I didn't see it. Without that spark to carry the thin plot, the whole thing just fell flat.
I am genuinely confused as to why this is such a hit. It’s a whisper-filled, plotless drama with a lead performance that made it nearly impossible to stay engaged. If you value your time and actual storytelling, you might want to skip this one.

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The Linan Era carried the show

The Golden Standard: The Linan Arc
The Linan era was the absolute peak of this drama. The atmosphere was golden, the pacing was perfect, and every character felt grounded and logical. You could actually feel for everyone on screen. The romance during this period was top-tier; if the show had maintained this momentum when the setting shifted to the camp, it would have been a masterpiece. I loved how Yan Zhang was interacting with Fan Changyu and her sister. Peak cuteness.
One of the most touching parts was seeing the local women looking up to her and dressing like her. It felt like a genuine female-centric victory without being obnoxious or "feminism for the sake of it." She earned that respect through her actions, not just a script
In the novel, Xie Zheng (Yan Zheng) is much darker and more "snobby." He’s a traumatized, cynical aristocrat who genuinely treats the marriage as a transaction for a long time.
The Drama Change: They made him a "Green Flag" much earlier to give us those sweet Linan scenes.
The Result: Because he was so sweet in Linan, his behavior later (the "fake Marquis" show) felt like a regression. In the novel, his arrogance and secrecy felt more consistent with his "lone wolf" persona.
The Novel: Changyu earns her rank through logistics and anatomy. She moves up the ranks by managing supplies and using her butcher skills to kill efficiently. She’s sun-burnt, dirty, and the soldiers follow her because she's a gritty survivalist who out-works them. It’s a slow, realistic grind.
The Show: She gets a "Main Character" fast-pass. Her rise is based on "superpower" strength and flashy moments. Instead of a hardened veteran, we get a "prodigy" who looks flawless. In the drama, she’s a general because she’s the hero; in the book, she’s a general because she’s the most capable person in the mud.
Bottom line: The novel is about merit; the show is about vibes.

The transition away from Linan is where the writing began to falter, specifically regarding the Marquis identity reveal:
Having him pretend not to be the Marquis while staging a full-on "show" with someone else playing the part was entirely unnecessary. It dragged on for far too long and made him more annoying than mysterious. It felt like a departure from the novel that didn't add any real value.
The Kiss & Fight: Their first major fight and kiss felt slightly out of character for the drama's version of Xie Zhang. Since they had already shared a small kiss earlier, unlike in the novel this "big" scene felt a bit off from both ends ( why he would be agressive like that and why she wouldn't accept his kiss since she had initiated one already unlike the novel).
The Princess (Temu Maomao): A completely unnecessary addition. Her ridiculous decisions constantly put people in danger, and while the writers tried for a "girl boss" vibe, it didn't deliver what they intended.

Subplots: Romanticized Abuse & Transmigration
The second couple left a bad taste the way their abusive dynamic was romanticized with passionate scenes was jarring. It’s hard to tell if the writers were aiming for redemption or just leaning into a specific trope. Furthermore, the transmigration hints were confusing; unless a spin-off is coming, it implies the whole plot we just watched was "fake" or a novel within a novel.

Cinematography vs. "Foundation General" Reality
The cinematography was stunning and the battle scenes were genuinely impressive. However, we have to address the "Foundation General" allegations.
We’re already watching a 35kg girl decapitate a massive general, so realism is already out the window might as well accept the full lashes and eyeliner during a bloodbath.
While I'm fine with a gorgeous lead, the full glam during a battle was a bit much. Also, the Butcher Squad was a great addition, but the writing for her teammate was inconsistent. He was coded as jealous and angry for episodes, only to be totally "chill" the day she had her first night with her husband. It felt like a crucial character-growth scene was cut.

The final confrontation with the uncle was a major letdown that traded logic for lazy "villain theater." It was incredibly frustrating to watch a supposedly dangerous mastermind stand around like an NPC, politely waiting for the leads to finish their fight instead of making a move. The stakes were further cheapened by the hostage situation; after all that build-up, the captives simply walked away as if they were leaving a casual dinner party rather than escaping a life-or-death kidnapping. It was a disappointing, low-stakes conclusion to a show that had started with so much grit and promise.

The Leads: A Pleasant Surprise
Zhang Linghe: This was my first full drama of his (I usually avoid them), and I’m impressed. He won me over despite the script's mid-show wobbles.
Tian Xiwei : I didn’t know her before this, but she was amazing. In a sea of actresses with only "two expressions," she brought genuine depth and life to the role. I’ll definitely be watching her future projects.

Final Verdict
The Pursuit of Jade is a good show that justifies the hype, largely thanks to the unforgettable Linan plot. Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei’s chemistry saved a script that was trying to do way too much. It’s a 10/10 production with a 6/10 script in the second half. If they had just kept the maturity of the Linan arc all the way through, we’d be talking about this as the drama of the year.

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Watchable, but a mess

I started this drama looking for something light, but unfortunately, it was mostly just frustrating. This was my first time watching both leads. The female lead’s acting was incredibly inconsistent, looking natural in a few scenes and completely unbearable in others. The male lead fared a bit better, but his character arc went completely off the rails in the second half.
The plot felt like a collection of forced tropes with nothing substantial to back them up. The high school arc dragged on far too long, especially if you are not looking for a teen drama. The poor girl struggling to save her dying grandparent trope was endless that I started rooting for her to die........ Add in a cartoonishly stupid mother as the villain, and the story quickly lost its footing.
The late stage drama only got worse. The breakup was absurdly exaggerated, and the adult arc made zero sense. The male lead flipped from being violent and resentful ( once the ML becomes violent or a bit too harsh on the FL , I lose interest) to forcing the female lead to live with him, to suddenly forgiving her and getting married. It was pure whiplash.
Between the nonsensical character shifts and a bizarre factory incident arc, the writing constantly forced drama where it did not belong. If you just need mindless background noise, this might do the trick, but do not expect anything impactful or well constructed.

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Is this what a strong female lead is supposed to be?

I really don't understand the good reviews ??

The marketing for this was a total bait-and-switch. The FL was the most annoying thing on the planet! every time she said the word "DUDU," it made my skin crawl. Why was she acting like a lovestruck teenager when she was supposed to be a tough man? It’s impossible to believe anyone would fall for her disguise when she makes zero effort to be suspicious-free.

The way the ML found out her secret was ridiculous. There is no way in hell he could have felt her breasts while they were riding a horse like that. On top of the bad logic, the ML was bland, boring, and had zero personality. I didn't care about him at all. The actor also genuinely didn't impress me here.

The story was supposedly about vengeance ( or was it ??) , but the FL was so grating that I lost the plot entirely. I had to skip most of the drama just to finish it. It’s a shame because the poster makes her look badass, but the character is just a joke. To the creators: please, never make a "strong" female character like this ever again. Definitely a shitty drama.

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What's this drama even about?

I just finished this drama and I’m genuinely confused about whether it even had a plot. I haven’t read the novel, so I don’t know how faithful the drama is to it, but it started off promising and then went downhill fast. The main misunderstanding turned out so ridiculous that it barely justified anything that followed. The whole leaving medicine to do something completely unrelated arc felt pointless. He could have just been her manager with a past connection and the story would have stayed exactly the same.
Once they became a couple, it was peak cringe. The male lead felt like an overly performative green flag rather than a real person and I love green flag MLs in C-dramas....
The last four episodes had no plot, just stretched-out fluff and unnecessary additions like the marriage/kid storyline. Acting was mid overall, and honestly the only reason this drama has a good rating is probably because of the cast. Even after finishing it, I’m still wondering what this drama was actually about.

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Did people seriously like this show or is it just rage bait?

The Early Spring was a rough, deeply uncomfortable watch from start to finish, with virtually no redeeming qualities. I skipped almost the entire episodes just to get to the end.
Luke (ML) is a toxic, arrogant boss who stays despicable throughout the entire drama. His behavior toward the FL is constantly exploitative. Their first intimate night together was outright predatory—he lured his naive, intoxicated subordinate into his apartment and made a move on her. Even if she "sobered up" and "initiated" it later, the massive power imbalance and setup were deeply unsettling from the start.
The FL behaves completely irrationally. As a new employee, she has ABSOLUTELY no issue sleeping with her boss, only to spend the rest of the show whining about his terrible behavior—behavior he never even bothered to conceal. He was upfront about being a awful person, yet she willingly entertained it.
The plot is painfully boring. It feels like another "fake-deep," pseudo-realistic romance web novel adaptation turned into a braindead drama. Anyone who enjoyed this likely only watched it for the intimacy scenes ( ridiculous) which completely lacked chemistry and looked so awkward I had to fast-forward through them.. just like I did with most of the show.
The ending made zero sense. After a childish, teenage-level fight that leads to a big breakup, they immediately reconcile and get married out of nowhere after a couple of years.
Overall, this was an unsettling romance that left me feeling uncomfortable the entire time. China really needs to stop churning out these toxic workplace dramas.

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JoongDunk’s trainwreck proves you need scriptwriting and acting skills, not just a popular pair.

I turned this on looking for something light to decompress, only to realize its sole reason for existing was putting Joong and Dunk on screen together.
Calling this a "murder mystery" is generous.

Dunk trying to play an authoritative, badass detective was pure, unadulterated comedy...and a colossal, embarrassing fail. He simply did not have it in him. Beyond his character being written as a utterly useless, incompetent detective who spent the whole show doing absolutely nothing, Dunk’s performance in this series was breathtakingly bad. He was quite literally painfully stiff, wooden, and expressionless. Every single line delivery felt like he was reading cue cards in real time while trying desperately to remember how human body language works. Watching him attempt to exude authority while accomplishing zero police work was equal parts hilariously absurd and downright agonizing...

Joong was barely better; his entire character motivation was having a random crush, pursuing Dunk, and... that was it. For a romantic pairing, their chemistry was utterly microscopic. Every kiss, romantic scene, and basic interaction felt deeply awkward.

Meanwhile, a literal serial killer is running wild, but instead of investigating, our "elite" police duo does absolutely nothing while everyone else casually goes shopping and partying. The final murder resolution was pathetic. It felt like someone watched one episode of Detective Conan and thought they were qualified to write a thriller.
Send these leads to acting school and write better scripts, because this was a complete joke.

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He Yu Shines, but the Execution Falters

The Standout: He Yu
As a first-time viewer of He Yu, I was pleasantly surprised. He carried the drama with a grounded performance, proving he’s a leading man to watch.

The Lead: Esther Yu
I gave this a chance despite dropping Moonlight years ago after a few episodes, but the "baby" voice and expressions were still cringey and unnecessary. She looks young enough to play 19 without the exaggerated acting, though the director likely shares the blame for that vision. The scenes of her dancing and performing felt totally out of place.

The Story: Missed Potential
The "sibling" dynamic felt forced..they should have just been childhood housemates. After the accident, the story became predictable and lost its edge. It’s also pure idol drama logic that he became incredibly wealthy in just a few years of zero contact (pure CEO trope). I wish the show had focused more on their adult growth and trauma instead of rushing into an "instant marriage" after eight years apart.

Final Verdict
It delivered exactly what I expected: a basic, fun watch. I’m not disappointed, and I'll definitely be following He Yu’s future work.

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Miles needs a better agent

I picked this up for an easy vacation watch, primarily because I like Miles Wei as an actor. I have a high tolerance for guilty pleasure tropes. I even watch those kidnapping the bride micro dramas, so I wasn’t looking for anything complex, but this was still a letdown.

The main couple has cute chemistry and there are some genuinely funny scenes, but the storyline itself is just not entertaining.

It got so boring that I honestly have no clue what happened between episodes 24 and 30. I had to skip almost everything just to get to the end.

The Career Loop:
Miles is a great actor being wasted by a bad agent. He’s been stuck in the CEO drama loop for way too long. It makes no sense that he’s taking a supporting role in Love Beyond the Grave with Arthur as a lead ...when he’s clearly lead material, but perhaps these repetitive CEO roles are all he’s being offered.

Overall, this was a boring drama. Miles is carrying these projects on his back, and I’m ready to see him move on. I truly hope he finds a successful, challenging role soon that actually does his talent justice and breaks him out of this cycle.

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Me and Peach Season 2 : Where Did the Spark Go?

Having enjoyed the first season despite its flaws, I was excited for Season 2 to serve as a breezy summer comedy. The trailer set high expectations with a hilarious premise, and while the show delivers on humor, it fails where it counts most: believable romance.
While the core issue stems from Phuwin’s total lack of investment, looking self-conscious, overly focused on his hair, and acting like the role is a mere obligation, the director is mostly to blame here. It is the director's job to guide actors, build chemistry, and refuse to print takes where a lead looks completely checked out. Instead, the direction allowed Peach to come across as actively disliking his spouse rather than just being reserved and introverted.
Peach acts completely averse to P'Kian: he looks awkward sitting next to him, reluctant to be touched, and devoid of warmth. Even during pivotal attempts at affection, like the pool gesture, the weak direction leaves the interaction feeling unconvincing, making you genuinely wonder if Peach even wants to be married.
Physical intimacy isn't strictly necessary for a good plot, but if kiss scenes are filmed, they need to show genuine affection. Here, they are so stiff that P'Kian carries all the romantic weight while Peach merely endures it.
To make matters worse, the narrative wastes time on a bloated subplot with Mira and Peach's sister that feels completely shoehorned in as a transparent show promo. In contrast, side characters Rome and Mok demonstrate a natural, convincing love that proves screen warmth was entirely possible.
Ultimately, while the comedic plot has its moments, the main dynamic feels so cold and dry that the season comes off more like a quick cash grab than a genuine follow-up.

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Love Upon a Time stood out so much compared to the standard BL formula

Wow, where do I even start? For me, this was easily one of the best Thai BLs I’ve watched so far.
It’s so refreshing to watch a historical series where the plot actually drives the show, rather than just using a thin storyline as an excuse to jump from one intimate scene to the next.
I honestly can't believe I watched an entire series without skipping a single scene, and that it had an actual plot! The producers clearly started with a solid storyline and built a genuine show around it, rather than just using the project as an excuse to have the actors engage in overly sexualized scenes.
The time-travel aspect felt grounded and well-paced instead of being all over the place, and the characters had real depth.
I have to say, Klao is officially one of the best "bottom" characters in Thai BL history.
Having a character who isn't just a passive, trope-heavy submissive, but rather a witty, capable person who stands up for himself, is a huge breath of fresh air
He threw punches when he needed to, never solely relied on the "top" to save the day, and had a vibrant personality that didn't just revolve around tired tropes. He was smart and grounded in his interactions, and I absolutely loved his dynamic with Prim and the other women around him.
Meanwhile, Phop easily joins the list of best Thai BL tops. He is the ultimate green flag (and the fact that Net is absolutely delightful to look at certainly didn't hurt). I got so emotional watching him fight for his love in an era where it wasn't accepted.
Even the second leads had a really wonderful plotline in their previous lives and weren't annoying in the slightest. As for the finale, it genuinely satisfied me. It was truly the best happy ending we could have gotten from a time-travel plot.
Overall, I am incredibly happy with this drama. While the acting could have been significantly better in certain scenes, especially from JJ, it was still highly enjoyable. The main leads had insane chemistry without it feeling overly explicit or borderline pornographic. Even the intimate scenes felt deeply tender rather than exploitative. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Net and JJ for future projects.
"To a love unbound by gender, standing resolute against the tides of time."
That was the perfect line to end the show. It left me so emotional, especially knowing how many real people throughout history never got to have their happy ending

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Nour: Great Premise, Ruined by Lazy Writing and Unnecessary Fluff

Nour enters with an original premise and a concept packed with potential. Unfortunately, what could have been a compelling supernatural drama quickly devolves into a mess of lazy writing, missed opportunities, and cheap romance.
*Acting Performance: Carried Entirely by Toey and why I gave it a 6.
Toey: I Recognized him from classic lakorns, Toey easily proved to be the best actor in the entire cast. His emotional range is incredible, showing clear experience and carrying almost every serious scene he was in.
Phum: While Chita starts off a bit bland before his arc unfolds, the actor held his own alongside Toey in heavy emotional scenes once his character's plot kicked in.
Tongtong: Unconvincing in his role. He constantly avoided eye contact with co-stars, creating awkward energy throughout his scenes. Whether this was a poor directorial choice or acting hesitation, it was jarring to watch. Also couldn't carry many emotional scenes.
Boss: The weakest link by far. Boss severely lacked range and couldn't handle many heavy scenes and fight scenes. He needs serious acting classes before taking on another lead role.
*Technical Directing & Camera Work
The production team attempted an "artistic" aesthetic with shaky hand-held camera work, but the result was disorienting and poorly executed. Instead of heightening the visual style, it made scenes feel unstable and hard to focus on.
*Plot & Execution: A Complete Narrative Collapse
The plot quickly sacrificed its unique supernatural foundation for low-quality fluff and unearned romance.
1. Forgotten Supernatural Lore
James has supernatural powers, but they are practically useless to the main narrative. His abilities suffer from convenient amnesia whenever they would logically solve a problem, serving only to artificially stall the plot. On top of that, basic questions go entirely unanswered: how do his powers work, what happened to his dad, and did Chita actually kill his father since he only kills Nour? So, his father was a Nour? Are there other Nours around? do they no longer care to investigate it further? the writers never bothered to explain it.
2. Fluff Over Investigation
Instead of conducting actual police work or investigating the Nour situation, James and Ken spend nearly every episode flirting. James acts like a teenager and Ken passively tags along, leaving their relationship with zero emotional foundation or chemistry. The kissing scenes were bit weird and awkward imho.
3. Illogical Character Writing & Police Work
The Immortal Doctor Paradox: Ken is an immortal doctor who has lived long enough to master complex medicine, yet we are supposed to believe he can't figure out how to use a smartphone. Having lived through modern history, he should be an expert in technology and modern science, making this trope illogical rather than funny.
Police Incompetence: The police force operates with zero strategy, no backup plans, and total lack of urgency. When Dr. Ji is kidnapped, neither his family, the police, nor the lead investigator duo take the situation seriously.
4. The Teen Subplot: A Clueless Distraction
The finale wastes precious screen time setting up a teen romance subplot that adds zero relevance to the overarching story, serving only as setup for a future BL pairing no one asked for.
The younger brother displays complete indifference to the horrific life-or-death situation unfolding around him. His own brother gets kidnapped, forcibly turned into a Nour, and dies, yet the younger brother gives zero care, completely ignoring the tragedy to focus entirely on his crush on his best friend. Then we get a scene of the family having a nice meal with the new boyfriend right after Ji dies. Absurd.
Every episode repeated the same loop: Ken is angry and suicidal, while James pursues him. The ending contradicts Ken's established character nature by having him simply live forever and watch his human partner die, assuming James is even human, which the writers never clarified.

Conclusion
Romance only works when backed by solid writing. Combined with bad acting from key leads, forced chemistry, and a script that abandons its own supernatural lore, Nour ends up a major disappointment for me that left me to piece together the story on my own. This does not deserve 8.7.

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