More Insights from Thailand: Another Collective View of Sardines

Following a viewing of Inside No. 9's Sardines by around 70 Thai students, they all wrote short reviews. These then formed the basis of group reviews submitted to ChatGPT with the instructions to synthesise, only use content contained in the reviews and to maintain as much of the original review language as possible. The result was the following.

“Sardines” is a clever and creepy episode of Inside No. 9 that starts off as a funny party game and slowly becomes something much darker. Set almost entirely inside a small, stuffy wardrobe, the episode uses its confined setting to build tension and discomfort—emotionally, visually, and psychologically. As more characters enter the space, we begin to feel that we are like sardines in a can, and the emotional pressure builds along with the physical.

At first, the story seems like a light comedy. There are polite but awkward interactions, a strange game of hide and seek, and a cast of diverse characters. The tone is weird and funny, with moments of amusing dialogue and uncomfortable engagement between family members and outsiders. To some people it was just about a complicated family having an argument and trying to hide secrets. But it started to become clear that something fishy was going on.

Slowly, we realise that many of the people in the wardrobe are connected by a shared secret—one they’ve all tried to bury. The close-up shots help show the loss of personal space, both physically and mentally, as secrets begin to unravel. One guest, introduced as Ian, is actually Philip—or Pip—who was a victim of abuse. Most of the characters were in some way involved in covering it up or staying silent. The dark twist is that Pip uses the party and the Sardines game as a chance to kill everybody who did not help him when he was young. He locks them in the wardrobe and sets it alight with some fuel. It truely was an unexpected and shocking end.

It has to be said that some viewers found the story confusing because there were so many characters and it was hard to remember all their names. Others described it as both funny and unsettling, using dark humor and irony to make the story even more disturbing. It’s surprising how the episode begins as a boring or silly story, but then turns into something completely unexpected. Even though it only lasted 30 minutes, it left some viewers feeling like the story crawled under the skin and stayed there. One even wonder how they would be able to sleep!

Overall, Sardines is a punchy, well-crafted piece of dark storytelling. It’s thrilling, shocking, hilarious, and heartbreaking. It catches the audience off guard with an engaging plot, strange mood, and a devastating twist. It may not be easy to watch—but it is certainly hard to forget.


Short reviews contributing to this full review were written by the following individuals:

Thanyalak Worasri
Anuphap Thongsrisomboon
Anuchit Wimutisunthorn
Aphinut Khongsiri
Jakkapat senewong na ayudhya
Jenjira Buaphan
Thanet Rangsisutthirat
Thanapat Sriboot
Anchana Koonarat
Chutiyada Phonkwamdee
Damisa Praisan
Kanchanit Songkhwan
RACHAPHONG Ruengkit-akra
Papangkorn jarintornwat
Paranee Chuleetam
Natcha Suriyarat
Jarinee Montree
Nuengnong
Weearm sopyada
Chanakan Jongboriboon
Premika Pitisuk
Punnawith Sakulbengayothin
Sarinthon Thaneeeat
Natteera Changkawprom
Kanchariya Suddee
Chaiwat Maysakul
Thron Tassamalee
Siriyagorn Kemapunya
Sathira Piempreecha
Abdulloh Jehesor
Teerapong Yaemphet
Panithan
Dararatsamee Bamrungsri
Natcha Suranawakit
Pimlada Sombunret
Worradet Sri-ampai
So choke Sringernthom
Thitirat Weeranon
Wasuphakinphong kitchaphakaphong
Kittivat Sosud
EI THINZAR MON
Wipawan Kangchai
Jamnong Thinnakorn
Kanokwan Namwatsopon
Sakuna Ruenroeng
Sirirak Pattanagoonsak
Aithan Boonkong
Aphisara Boonsopin
Kawpong Polyorat
Nuntira Hongsrisuwan
Rinyapat Footrakoon
Nattaya
Salinee Wilaisri
Haruetaichanok Thaweeprapawat
MR.Krittawat Suteebutra
Suchawadee Foithong
Oliver Keiser
KUAHMADFURGON ETAE
Kamphon sriprasert
Annur bureejaroen
Sirikhuan Siriburi
Nattapat Srisawst
Nattapong Kaewthanom
Thidarat Inchounjiw
Kantika Hwangchuklang
Harit Thadmalai
Thidarat Vitayaburananont
Napasorn Laohajaroenbongkot


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