Introduction
Enigma Black Stage is a sequel to the 2023 Enigma ( คน มนตร์ เวท ).
If you haven’t watched it, of course, you would raise this question: Do I need to watch the prequel?
Yes, although the arc in the prequel is a complete story. However, watching the first part is crucial for a complete experience. You would be introduced to the reserved and mysterious Ajin, a kind of magical occult investigator, whose backstory is revealed slowly over the course of the series. There are also references to the first Enigma series, for example, how Ajin uses magic, how Enigma communicates, etc.
Besides, it’s only about 3+ hours of binge-watching time. Here are the official links if you’re interested in watching the prequel: GMMTV and Amazon Prime.
Drama Info
Drama title: Enigma Black Stage (Native title: บุหงาหมื่นภมร )
Alternative titles: Enigma 2, The Bloom and a Thousand Bees, Buhnga Muen Phamon
Genres: Mystery, Horror, Drama, Supernatural
Aired: Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
Episodes: 5 | Duration: 42 min.
Directors: O Patha Thongpan ( โอ ปัฏฐา ทองปาน ) and Nat Thachai Komolphet ( ณัฐ ฐชัย โกมลเพ็ชร์ )
Screenwriters: O Patha Thongpan ( โอ ปัฏฐา ทองปาน ) and Mook Jarinee Thanomyat ( มุก จารินี ถนอมญาติ )
Where to watch: Netflix
Trailer:
Synopsis
When casting begins for a major stage play, Ajin teams up with a struggling model to compete, unaware of the dark secrets lurking behind the curtain (Source: Netflix).
Characters
The character descriptions were taken from Wikipedia.
Main Characters
Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn ( วิน เมธวิน โอภาสเอี่ยมขจร ) as Ajin Nakaritta
A mysterious man with powerful sorcery who senses something sinister behind the Buhnga Muen Phamon stage play contest. He recruits Plengpin, a down-on-her-luck promo girl, to enter the competition and to get him access to the cursed dress.
Toey Jarinporn Joonkiat ( จรินทร์พร จุนเกียรติ ) as Plengpin Piengamorn
A struggling promo girl whose career has hit rock bottom. Desperate for a break, she agrees to enter the Buhnga Muen Phamon stage play contest after being approached by Ajin.
Supporting Characters
Anya Tiwa-asan (Namtan Tipnaree Weerawatnodom) – Ajin’s ex-girlfriend, a talented and popular model and actress.
“Jew” Jinjanya Jiaramani (JingJing Prariyapit Yu) – A skilled dancer and multiple time competition winner.
“Myday” Maimai Loetlakkhana (Mint Thishar Thurachon) – A famous influencer with a massive nationwide following.
M.L. Ray Dangrerai Poraminthiwa (Pompam Niti Chaichitathorn) – A high-society figure who organizes a competition to find a leading lady for a stage play based on the novel Buhnga Muen Phamon, written by his late grandfather.
Reviews
Story and Plot
From a middle school setting in the prequel, Enigma Black Stage increases its stake by using a larger setting through a nationwide stage play competition. Several themes relevant to its characters and events:
Cycles of violence and conspiracy. The play adaptation is connected to a 66-year-old, unpublished novel, suggesting that secrets and curses from the past continue to inflict violence in the present. The stage play and its organizers, like M.L. Ray, are complicit in perpetuating this cycle, either knowingly or unknowingly. For example, they don’t care what ill fate is waiting for the competing contestants.
Power and ambition. The series highlights how easily the thirst for success and fame can blind people to the sinister forces at play. The competing dancers are willing to go to great lengths for the lead role, inadvertently walking into a dangerous magical trap.
Art and its dark side. The stage play is twisted by dark magic into a dangerous competition. Enigma Black Stage explores the dark side of ambition, showing how art can be used as a cover for malevolent forces.
Characterization and Acting
Win reprised his role as Ajin, a magic user who continues his journey from the first Enigma series to find the source of strange events. In this series, it’s a stage play competition. I think Win could convey the character’s complex layers, as he captured Ajin’s inner struggles, quiet strength, and vulnerabilities, drawing us into his magic world.
Win’s chemistry with Toey, although this is not a romance drama, mysteriously lures you in, and adds to the gripping storyline.
The supporting characters delivered strong and captivating performances in their respective roles.
Namtan’s performance as the talented but complicated actress Anya showed her excellent portrayal of a difficult character.
Cinematography and Special Effects
The drama uses a variety of visual effects to create its suspenseful and supernatural atmosphere, to build the drama’s dark, ominous, and mysterious tone. The special effects range from subtle visual cues and symbolism to more direct displays of paranormal events and black magic.
Set design and symbolism:
- Since the plot revolves around a stage play, the production design uses theatrical elements to enhance the visuals. For example, some scenes are designed to look like a stage setting, complete with ominous lighting and props.
- The show employs a predominantly dark and subdued color palette to establish its mystery/horror genre and set the tone. This visual style emphasizes the secrets and dangers lurking behind the scenes.
- Subtle imagery and objects throughout the series have symbolic meaning, often related to the central mystery. For example: the deformities in figurines, the cursed dress, etc.
Displays of paranormal events and black magic:
- The drama depicts magical symbols, often used in connection with black magic and curses. For example, Ajin decodes a symbol that leads him to a cursed forest site.
- Visual effects are used to show the physical effects of curses and magical attacks on the characters.
- The series uses visual effects to represent supernatural beings and the possession of characters. In some scenes, Enigma possesses some characters. The possessed characters were visually distinct or enhanced to emphasize their supernatural nature.
Conclusion
As Ajin’s journey to reveal Enigma continues, I will follow this series to Season 3, as it seems Ajin won’t need to hunt down Enigma’s whereabouts, as it has now embodied a certain character. We’ll see if he’s able to stop Enigma from spreading dark magic and curses nationwide, or… Enigma might kill him!
