Sai: Disaster (2025) Series Review

Sai: Disaster (2025) Series Review: Slow Burn Killer

Over the weekend, we stumbled upon a series that had just arrived on Netflix by immediately grabbing our attention with its mysterious key art. That decision was one we didn't regret. Sai: Disaster is a different kind of psychological thriller. It's riveting on an episode-by-episode basis with each installment following a strict format that gradually becomes a predictable and woe-filled pattern. At its core, this is a character-focused series that eventually leads to murder. The journey toward that inescapable disaster is well worth the wait.

When a student mysteriously dies in Kanagawa, Detective Domoto (Anne Nakamura) begins investigating despite her colleagues insisting that it was an obvious suicide. Eventually, a string of suicides occurs across Japan and only Domoto believes that a serial killer is behind them, hiding in plain sight and waiting for the perfect time to strike again and again.

Sai: Disaster sets the tone early with its harrowing content. The first episode is arguably the best because it comes with the biggest surprise factor. The less you know about this series' format, the better, because each follows a strict formula that plays out similarly across all six episodes. That may sound repetitive but it's actually what makes the series work. Eventually, you'll recognize what is going to happen to the characters in each episode, and knowing their fate makes their stories even more impactful. Most of the characters are imperfect individuals dealing with their own problems, dreams, and personal struggles. Knowing that they may never get the chance to achieve their goals makes their eventual fates even more emotional.

Unfortunately, Sai: Disaster isn't perfect. For one, some of the investigative decisions feel questionable. There are cases where CCTV footage could have played a significant role in solving the mystery yet the detectives don't seem particularly interested in exploring it. Whether this is an element of the story that gets lost in translation or simply a creative choice, it can be frustrating to watch. The lack of a clear-cut ending may also put some viewers off. For us, however, it worked. We understood why the series chose to end on a less-than-positive note and it felt appropriate given everything that came before it.

Despite its faults, Sai: Disaster has a unique style that makes it truly standout. From compelling performances, a wonderful soundtrack, and thought-provoking content, this is a slow burn that makes you care about everyone along the way.

Rating: 3 and a half reels