Despite not really understanding what’s going on, he is mesmerised, taking vicarious pleasure from Feroz’s violent response to almost every situation. Armed with a penchant for risky behaviour, a distinct laugh that signals he’s in the mood to test the limits and some spectacular combat ability, Feroz leaves Zafik quaking in his boots. He’s there for a reason and that is to assist Zafik in understanding what really happened to his wife and son. The idea is to take his abrupt appearance with a pinch of salt. The information about him being Zafik’s late wife’s cousin (and why Zafik has no remembrance of him, whatsoever) is brushed over quickly for the deliberate purpose of obfuscation. No heed is paid to where he’s descended from and why he’s dogging the central character’s every move. The story’s odd nature originates from Feroz. The Assistant takes its time to build character and some intrigue, holding it in good stead.Ĭast – Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, Hairul Azreen, Henley Hii, Kin Wah Chew, Farali Khan You can’t be pushing one crazy sequence after another without putting adequate thought into why such an event is taking place onscreen, to begin with. The thing we often forget about good action films is that the writing and character development need to be at par (at least) for it to work. Most hardcore action efforts lose their sheen early on. The story keeps you engaged roughly seventy per cent of the way, which isn’t a mean feat, if I were being honest. The fight scenes are quite superb, but that comes as no surprise. The characters are sketched rather well and the plot keeps you guessing for the most part. Besides, the writing is pretty good for a wild, no holds barred action flick. The Assistant scores highly in the areas of conception and stunt choreography.
It’s only when he meets a seemingly unhinged man called Feroz (Hairul Azreen), who lands up at his door on the day of Zafik’s release, do things take a strange turn. His imprisonment has made him bitter and morose, no doubt, but his just nature hasn’t deserted him so far. Framed for drug possession a decade ago, he is out to seek the truth behind the murder of his wife and child. It presents revenge as its primary subject but its central character, Zafik (Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin), doesn’t fit the vigilante bill for all intents and purposes. And this is perhaps why even the not-so-impressive parts aren’t all that difficult to sit through. Action-packed and bizarre from the word go, one thing it surely isn’t is boring. With some surface-level inspiration gleaned from a couple of iconic titles of yesteryear, this Malaysian film is unrelenting in moving its story forward. The Assistant is one interesting, masala-infused ride worth taking.
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