Detention

Detention, a Taiwanese series set in the 1990s, blends horror, suspense, and psychological drama on Netflix's platform. The series is based on the popular video game of the same name, which takes inspiration from the historical events during the White Terror in Taiwan. The White Terror was an era of martial law that lasted for 38 years, and the series uses this historical event as the backdrop for depicting a dark and eerie story suspended between the dimensions of reality, superstition, and phantasmal uncertainty.

The show kicks off in the gloomy atmosphere of Greenwood High School located on a remote hill. The quiet, abandoned school building is shrouded in a dark aura that stems from its numerous unsettling events and so-called curses. The story dances between two timelines, primarily set in 1998 and delving into past events of 1985. Disturbing happenings at the school begin to unfold, and intertwined destinies take the viewer on a whirlwind journey down the path of fear, mystery, and social critique.

The protagonist in 1998, Yunxiang Liu (played exquisitely by Lingwei Li), stumbles across the forbidden area of the school and unexpectedly triggers a chain of supernatural phenomena. A haunted bridge, a scary woman in red, and inexplicably appearing bloody handprints, all caged within the school precincts, tangle Yunxiang in the horrifying secrets embedded in the school’s past.

The narrative intermittently shuttles to the year 1985, tracing the life of another student, Yunhong (portrayed by Ning Han), adored by his classmates and teachers. His life takes a drastic turn when he falls in love with a forbidden woman, Ms. Shen Hua (played convincingly by Jhen Dachia). Love, infidelity, jealousy, and guilt combine to form a volatile concoction that seeps into the roots of a larger socio-political context.

The show leverages the gray area between surreal horror and the brutal reality of dictatorship imposed on Taiwanese society during the period. It masterfully creates an eerie ambiance while ensuring the character development is not undermined. The skilled scripting of intertwined past and present events, the lives of the complex characters and their relationships, coupled with the seamlessly integrated elements of horror, results in riveting storytelling.

Detention, while deeply rooted in an important period of Taiwan’s history, defies geographical and cultural boundaries by addressing universal themes of love, power, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit amid dire circumstances. The horror stereotype is not just used for cheap scares but rather to depict the tyranny of that age, the fear that dictated lives, and the desperate need to break free.

The series showcases strong performances by the entire ensemble. Lingwei Li, Ning Han, and Jhen Dachia perfectly fit into their respective roles, adding the human touch to their characters’ tumultuous journeys. The series is also stunning in terms of its visuals. The black-and-white cinematography not only reinforces the fear factor, but also transports viewers back in time, shedding light on Taiwan’s dark past. Its melancholic mise-en-scene and expressionist inspired visual style add another layer to the narrative, emphasizing the oppressed and terrified state of individuals living during that time.

With its captivating plot, strong performances, and eerie atmosphere, Detention proves to be a roller-coaster ride of suspense, emotional turmoil, and unexpected revelations. The series seamlessly combines the seemingly disparate genres of horror and historical drama into a unique piece of storytelling, and stays true to the game’s anti-authoritarian spirit. It transitions effortlessly between the realms of real and unreal, weaving an intricate web of connections, coincidences, and fates that leave viewers both spooked and deeply intrigued.

"Detention" doesn't restrict itself to the confines of a simple ghost story, but cleverly mirrors the horrors of society. The series provides a fresh and alluring yet somber and poignant take on the historical, horror drama genre. It pushes the boundaries of conventional TV, building a compelling narrative that reminds viewers of our shared history and human tenacity.