Ong Bak 2005

In the verdant realm of 1431 Siam, during the reign of Borommarachathirat II of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Tien, the youthful scion of a noble family, finds himself at the threshold of a life-altering journey. His father, Lord Sihadecho, sends him to learn the art of dance in a secluded village under the tutelage of Master Bua, rather than moulding him into a warrior, as a precautionary measure against the machinations of Lord Rajasena, commander of the Ayutthaya royal guard. This decision is rooted in Sihadecho’s desire to safeguard Tien from the treacherous schemes of Rajasena, who had previously plotted against his family. Initially, Tien remains disillusioned with their peaceful existence, but he eventually forges a bond with an orphan girl named Pim, who becomes a source of comfort and companionship in his life.

However, fate has other plans. Lord Sihadecho’s trust is betrayed by one of their own guards, who attempts to kidnap Tien, only for the young boy to narrowly escape with the help of a loyalist ally. Meanwhile, Lord Sihadecho and his household are brutally slaughtered by Rajasena and a mysterious masked assassin, leaving Tien to fend for himself against the enemy soldiers. With no other option, he flees to the forest, where he is captured by slave traders, who subject him to harsh treatment.

Tien’s unyielding spirit and physical prowess eventually earn him the attention of Chernang, the leader of a band of martial artists known as the Pha Beek Khrut (“Garuda Wing Cliff”), who saves him from a gruesome fate at the hands of a Siamese crocodile. Impressed by Tien’s resilience, Chernang takes him under his wing and offers him a chance to join their ranks, which Tien accepts. Over time, Tien undergoes rigorous training to prove himself worthy of membership within the group.

As he matures, Tien faces a series of trials designed to test his mettle as a true warrior. After passing the final test, Chernang proclaims him as his adopted son and heir, elevating him to the position of field leader among the bandits. Driven by a burning desire for vengeance against those who wronged his family, Tien tracks down his former slave traders, dealing them a devastating blow in the process. As he exacts revenge upon their leader, Tien makes a solemn blood oath to avenge his family’s death, an undertaking that Chernang enthusiastically supports.

With this newfound purpose, Tien sets out on a perilous journey to Rajasena’s palace, where the treacherous lord is hosting a grand celebration to proclaim his power. Coincidentally, a grown-up Pim performs a mesmerizing dance, which serves as a catalyst for Tien’s stealthy entry into the festivities. Disguised as a khon dancer, he launches a surprise attack on Rajasena, seemingly striking down the ruthless lord in a dramatic flourish.

As Tien returns to the once-thriving Pha Beek Khrut village, he’s met with an unsettling silence - the very same emptiness that had taken his father from him. Instead, he’s confronted by a masked assassin, whose visage is eerily reminiscent of the one who took his father’s life. Tien’s attack is met with resistance, and soon, more masked assailants emerge to test his mettle. With the aid of an intelligent elephant and his own martial prowess, Tien manages to overcome these formidable foes.

However, this victory is short-lived, as he’s ultimately bested by Bhuti Sangkha (“Crow Ghost”), a ruthless and agile martial artist whose skills prove more than a match for Tien’s. The Crow Ghost claims the elephant as his prize, leaving Tien at the mercy of Lord Rajasena and his army. It soon becomes clear that the lord has survived the assassination attempt, thanks to hidden armor, and that the masked assassin is none other than Chernang - a revelation that sets in motion a chain of events.

As Tien reluctantly faces off against Chernang, he’s met with an unexpected display of paternal affection, as Chernang acknowledges Tien as his son and asks him to accept his own mortality, all while begging for Tien to avenge his father. In a brutal twist, Chernang snaps the blade of Tien’s sword and uses it to slice across his own throat, ending his life.

Tien collapses, exhausted and devastated, surrounded by Rajasena’s soldiers. The lord orders Tien to be subjected to a slow and agonizing torture, a fate that is inextricably linked to the bad karma that has haunted him. Yet, even as Tien’s voiceover laments this cruel destiny, he vows to find a way to cheat death.

The film concludes with an enigmatic scene: Tien, now bearing a full beard, stands before the revered Ong Bak Buddha statue - a tableau that raises more questions than it answers.