An abandoned water park, a game of hide-and-seek and a friend who never came back. Kijsada Paradise (Thai: กฤษดาพาราไดซ์, also spelled Kritsada Paradise) is a 2026 Thai supernatural horror film that mixes teenage friendship, guilt and a ghostly pursuer, with a streak of comedy. Directed by Phontharis Chotkijsadarsopon and produced by 13 Studio, it opened in Thai cinemas on June 11, 2026, and reached Netflix worldwide on November 11, 2026. Here is a complete guide to the film: the story, the cast, how it was received, our rating and what to watch next.
Note: This guide is spoiler-free. The ending is not discussed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Kijsada Paradise (Thai: กฤษดาพาราไดซ์) |
| Also known as | Kritsada Paradise, Krissada Paradise |
| Thai theatrical release | June 11, 2026 (premiere June 9, 2026) |
| Streaming | Netflix, from November 11, 2026 |
| Runtime | 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes) |
| Language | Thai (with subtitles and dubbing on Netflix) |
| Genre | Supernatural horror, horror comedy |
| Director | Phontharis “Mike” Chotkijsadarsopon |
| Production | 13 Studio |
| Rating | TV-MA (Netflix) |
| IMDb | Roughly 5.6 to 6.1 / 10 (early votes) |
| Letterboxd | About 2.7 / 5 |
| Our rating | 2.5 / 5 |
What Is Kijsada Paradise About?
A group of friends play a late-night game of hide-and-seek inside Kijsada Paradise, an abandoned water park. The game ends with one of them, Jod, vanishing. Some time later, the group is pulled back to the park by guilt and by an unsettling realization: the friend they once knew is coming after them. To end the terror, they must return to the place where it started and face what they did, and what they chose to ignore.
pdated Cast and Characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Nattawat “Fourth” Jirochtikul | Taek | The leader of the group and the mastermind behind the fateful game |
| Jaturawit Cheawprasit | Jod | The friend who vanishes (described as a friend with special needs) |
| Yongsin “Yorch” Wongpanitnont | Ohm | One of the friends |
| Pannawit “Garto” Phattanasiri | Park | One of the friends |
| Worapat Pakpattaraporn | Tee | One of the friends |
| Sorathon Chaloemlapsombut | Melon | One of the friends (listings vary, so verify on Netflix) |
Some listings spell names differently or assign roles differently (for example, Tee and Melon), so check the Netflix credits before publishing the last two rows.
Behind the Scenes
The director. Phontharis “Mike” Chotkijsadarsopon is best known for directing the Pee Nak horror franchise, a series that blended supernatural horror with comedy. That background helps explain the horror-comedy tone of this film.
The producer and studio. The film was produced by Taweewat Wantha, nicknamed “Kui”, under 13 Studio, his newly launched genre label. 13 Studio is also behind Death Whisperer and Death Whisperer 2, and made the film Attack 13 in 2025. It debuted its slate at Hong Kong’s Filmart market, and reports say several more horror films are in the pipeline.
The origin of the idea. The director got the idea after being told about an abandoned water park in Chiang Mai. He said he’d seen films about abandoned amusement parks but not about an abandoned water park. He scouted locations in Chiang Mai, and the script took almost a year to develop.
The real location. The film was shot almost entirely in Chiang Mai, including at a real abandoned water park tied to local ghost stories, with additional studio sets. The “Kijsada Paradise” in the film is a fictionalized version of that legend.
The intended theme. The director has described the film as a horror story about friendship and about people from different backgrounds coexisting in society.
Release Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 2026 (approx.) | Presented at Hong Kong’s Filmart market by 13 Studio |
| June 9, 2026 | World premiere |
| June 11, 2026 | Thai theatrical release |
| Autumn 2026 | Some territories saw release dates move, including a planned October date shifted to November in Russia |
| November 11, 2026 | Netflix worldwide release |
Thai box office figures weren’t available in what I found, so I haven’t included any.
The Music
The film has an official soundtrack release, including a song titled “Kijsada” by SPRITE, which has an official music video. If you want to add a soundtrack section, check the song credits before publishing.
Age Ratings
- Thailand: Rated 15+.
- Netflix: TV-MA.
About the Cast
- Fourth (Nattawat Jirochtikul) plays the lead, Taek, and Wikipedia lists him and Yorch as the film’s stars.
- Yorch (Yongsin Wongpanitnont) is a Thai singer and actor. Korean media reported in August 2026 that he took a lead role in this film and was named an honorary Korea tourism ambassador, so his profile in Korea has been rising.
- Garto (Pannawit Phattanasiri) plays Park.
- The cast is mostly made up of young, up-and-coming Thai performers, several of whom have fan followings from music and television.
What Makes the Premise Distinctive
- The setting. An abandoned water park is rarer in horror than an amusement park or a hospital. Drained pools, rusting slides and empty changing rooms give the film an unusual look.
- A game as a trap. Hide-and-seek turns childhood play into a deadly rule set, a pattern Thai horror has used before.
- A personal haunting. The ghost is tied to one friend’s disappearance and to the group’s past behavior, which makes the horror about guilt rather than random threats.
A Note on Sensitivity (Our Observation)
The missing friend, Jod, is described as having special needs, and the story has him return as a threat to the group. Some viewers may find that portrayal thoughtful, since the film is framed around guilt and how the friends treated him, while others may find it uncomfortable. This is our own observation, not something I found in a published review, so consider whether to include it and how to word it.
Reception Update
- Letterboxd: About 2.7 out of 5 from several hundred ratings.
- IMDb: Roughly 5.6 to 6.1 out of 10 on a small number of votes.
- Kinoafisha: 5.4 out of 10.
- MoviesR: Called it lost between horror and comedy.
- Some reviewers praised the setting and described the film as more serious and guilt-driven than the director’s earlier Pee Nak films. That claim comes from a low-quality blog, so I’d treat it cautiously.
Scores are early and based on small numbers of votes.
Plot and Storyline (Spoiler-Free)
- The setup: Taek, the leader of the group, organizes a game of hide-and-seek in a decaying water park.
- The disappearance: Jod, a friend in the group, vanishes during the game.
- The return: The group goes back to the park to find a way to stop what has been unleashed.
- The ghostly challenger: A supernatural presence turns the game into a deadly one.
- The secrets: Tensions and buried truths in the friend group come to the surface.
- The tone: A mix of youthful humor and supernatural dread, with the abandoned park as an eerie playground.
Cast and Characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Nattawat “Fourth” Jirochtikul | Taek | The leader of the group |
| Jaturawit Cheawprasit | Jod | The friend who disappears |
| Yongsin “Yorch” Wongpanitnont | Ohm or Park (sources differ) | One of the friends |
| Pannawit Phattanasiri | Park or Ohm (sources differ) | One of the friends |
| Sorathon Chaloemlapsombut | A member of the group | |
| Worapat Pakpattaraporn | Tee | A member of the group |
| Waratthip Kittisiripaisan | Melon | A member of the group |
| Tirakun Srichoo | Supporting role |
Listings disagree about which actor plays Ohm and Park, and some spell the names differently, so check the film’s credits on Netflix before publishing the character names.
Cast and Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Phontharis Chotkijsadarsopon |
| Lead | Nattawat Jirochtikul |
| Key cast | Yongsin Wongpanitnont, Jaturawit Cheawprasit, Pannawit Phattanasiri |
| Production | 13 Studio |
| Distributor | Netflix (international streaming) |
Why It Matters
- A fresh horror setting. An abandoned water park is a less common location than the usual haunted house or amusement park.
- Part of the Thai horror boom. Thai horror has built a global audience on Netflix, and this film joins that wave.
- A young cast. It features rising Thai actors, including singer-actors with fan followings.
- Rooted in real ghost stories. The director has said the idea came from real ghost stories about abandoned water parks in Chiang Mai.
- A quick streaming arrival. It reached Netflix about five months after its Thai release.
Behind the Scenes
- The inspiration: The director has said the film draws on real ghost stories around abandoned water parks in Chiang Mai, and that he was struck by how rarely the setting had been used in horror.
- The studio: The film is from 13 Studio, which has made other Thai horror and action titles, and it was presented at Hong Kong’s Filmart market.
- The release: It premiered in Thailand on June 9, 2026, and opened to the public on June 11, with a planned October release in some territories shifted to November.
What Critics and Viewers Said
| Source | Verdict |
|---|---|
| MoviesR | Called it lost between horror and comedy, with a good setting but uneven progress between revelations and scares |
| Letterboxd | About 2.7 / 5 from several hundred ratings |
| IMDb | Around 5.6 to 6.1 / 10 on a small number of votes |
| AceShowbiz | Called it an engaging option for thriller fans, with a 6 / 10 rating |
What reviewers agree on:
- Praise: The setting, the premise and the way the abandoned park becomes a character.
- Criticism: An uneven mix of horror and comedy, and uneven pacing between the story’s reveals and the scares.
Scores are early and based on small numbers of votes, so check the live pages before publishing.
What Viewers Debate
- Horror or comedy? The tonal mix works for some viewers and frustrates others.
- The pacing. Some feel the story drags between scares.
- The setting. Many agree that the abandoned water park is the film’s best feature.
- The ghost. Viewers discuss how scary the antagonist really is.
- The cast. The young leads draw both praise and criticism.
Themes the Film Explores
- Friendship and guilt. The group has to confront what they did, and what they avoided.
- Consequences of a prank. A thoughtless game leads to real harm.
- Secrets between friends. Hidden tensions rise when the group is under pressure.
- Revenge and the supernatural. A wronged presence returns to settle the score.
Content note: The film is rated TV-MA and includes horror violence and supernatural scares.
Pros
- A memorable, underused setting.
- A clear, effective premise.
- A young, energetic cast.
- A comfortable runtime under two hours.
- A good fit for Thai horror fans.
Cons
- An uneven tone between horror and comedy.
- Uneven pacing between revelations and scares.
- A familiar structure of teens, a game and a vengeful ghost.
- Mixed early reviews and modest ratings.
Should You Watch Kijsada Paradise?
Watch it if you like Thai horror, teen-group scares, ghost stories with a touch of humor, or a good creepy location.
Skip it if you want a serious, consistently frightening horror film, or dislike horror comedies.
Where to start: It’s a standalone film, and no prior knowledge is needed.
Our Review in Detail
This review is an editorial take based on the official synopsis, published reviews and audience ratings. It reflects the film’s reception rather than first-hand viewing, so treat it as a guide, not a verdict.
The concept. An abandoned water park is a great horror setting. The faded slides, drained pools and empty changing rooms are naturally eerie, and the film’s idea of turning a children’s game into something deadly is simple and effective. The premise is the film’s best asset, and reviewers consistently praise it.
The story. The setup is clear: a game goes wrong, a friend disappears and the group has to return. Reviewers point out that the progress between revelations and scares can feel uneven, which is a common issue in horror films that try to balance a mystery with set pieces. The story works best when it links Jod’s disappearance to the group’s relationships, giving the horror a personal angle.
The tone. This is the film’s most divisive element. It is a horror comedy, and the youthful humor is intentional, but critics felt it sometimes undercuts the scares. Comedy can make horror more effective by creating familiarity before disrupting it, and the film tries to do that, with mixed results.
The cast. The young ensemble brings energy, and the group dynamic is believable enough to make the friendships matter. As the lead, Nattawat “Fourth” Jirochtikul anchors the story. Because the cast is largely new to international audiences, expect a performance style that leans on Thai teen-horror conventions.
The look. The abandoned park is the film’s visual star. The setting offers plenty of atmospheric chances, and reviewers note that it has an identity beyond being a place where scary things happen.
The scares. Thai horror is known for ghosts rooted in karma and guilt, and this film follows that tradition, with a vengeful presence tied to a group’s past actions. It’s a familiar structure, and the film’s challenge is to make the familiar feel fresh.
The audience response. Early ratings are modest, with a Letterboxd average around 2.7 out of 5 and IMDb scores around 5.6 to 6.1. That points to a film that appeals to a particular audience, namely fans of Thai horror comedies, and may not win over viewers who want straight horror.
The verdict in context. Kijsada Paradise has a strong setting and a promising premise, but its mix of comedy and horror and its uneven pacing keep it from being more than a decent genre entry. It’s a good pick for a casual horror night, especially for fans of Thai horror, but it isn’t likely to be a standout of the genre.
Detailed Scorecard
| Category | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Premise and concept | 4 / 5 | A fresh, eerie setting |
| Story and plot | 2.5 / 5 | Clear setup, uneven progress |
| Setting and atmosphere | 4 / 5 | The abandoned park is the star |
| Cast and performances | 3 / 5 | Energetic young ensemble |
| Scares and tension | 2.5 / 5 | Familiar, with mixed effectiveness |
| Humor and tone | 2 / 5 | The horror-comedy mix is uneven |
| Writing and dialogue | 2.5 / 5 | Functional |
| Direction and visuals | 3 / 5 | Makes good use of the location |
| Pacing | 2.5 / 5 | Uneven between revelations |
| Rewatch value | 2.5 / 5 | A one-time watch for most |
| Overall | 2.5 / 5 | A strong setting held back by an uneven tone |
Our Rating
2.5 / 5
Final Verdict
Kijsada Paradise has a great setting and an appealing premise, and it will satisfy viewers who enjoy Thai horror with a dash of humor. Its tonal inconsistency and uneven pacing keep it from fulfilling its promise, and early ratings reflect a modest reception. It’s an easy, short Netflix watch for fans of the genre.
Recommendations: What to Watch Next
If you like Thai and Asian horror
- Shutter (2004): A classic Thai ghost story and one of the best known.
- Pee Mak (2013): A Thai horror comedy with a huge following.
- Death Whisperer (Tee Yod): A popular Thai supernatural horror series.
- The Medium (2021): A Thai-Korean folk horror film.
- Ghost Lab (2021): A Thai horror film about scientists investigating spirits.
If you like teen-group horror and games gone wrong
- Ready or Not (2019): A deadly game of hide-and-seek, with dark humor.
- Fear Street (trilogy): Teen horror across several eras.
- Truth or Dare (2018): A game turns deadly for a group of friends.
- Final Destination: A group of friends pursued by an unseen force.
If you want more horror comedy
- Shaun of the Dead (2004): A classic that blends scares and laughs.
- Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010): A clever horror comedy.
- Happy Death Day (2017): A slasher with a time-loop twist.
Where to Watch
Kijsada Paradise is streaming on Netflix worldwide, in Thai with subtitles and dubbing options depending on your region. It was released on Netflix on November 11, 2026. Availability can vary by country, so check your local library before publishing.
FAQs
What is Kijsada Paradise about?
A group of friends play hide-and-seek in an abandoned water park, and one of them, Jod, disappears. The group returns to the park to face a ghostly pursuer and a past they tried to ignore.
When was it released?
In Thai cinemas on June 11, 2026, and on Netflix on November 11, 2026.
Where can I watch it?
On Netflix.
Who directed it?
Phontharis Chotkijsadarsopon, with production by 13 Studio.
Who stars in it?
Nattawat “Fourth” Jirochtikul, Yongsin “Yorch” Wongpanitnont, Jaturawit Cheawprasit and Pannawit Phattanasiri, among others.
What is the runtime?
About 1 hour 53 minutes.
Is it based on a true story?
It is a fictional story inspired by real ghost stories about abandoned water parks in Chiang Mai, according to the director.
What genre is it?
Supernatural horror with comedy elements.
Is it scary?
It has supernatural scares and a creepy setting, though it also leans on humor, which may soften the frights for some viewers.
What is the age rating?
TV-MA on Netflix.
How was it received?
Early reactions are mixed to modest, with about 2.7 out of 5 on Letterboxd and around 5.6 to 6.1 out of 10 on IMDb.
Is there a sequel?
None has been announced.
Is it worth watching?
For fans of Thai horror and horror comedies, yes. We rate it 2.5 out of 5.