Creepy and intense
Strangers from hell started as a basic suspense story in the first 2 episodes, however things started taking a different turn when Lee Don Wook was introduced.Charming dentist and the strangers with their murderous intent in a residence, teams up to form a bunch of psychopath who kills for fun. The climax was a bit of twister, although it was a little predictable.
Nevertheless, Strangers from hell was an intensely suspense thriller, with lots of violence and craziness that sometimes maybe a bit difficult to consume.
My Rating : 8/10
Was this review helpful to you?
It makes you connected with the characters, and the ending was so twisted and Im shi wan acting was superb as always.
Was this review helpful to you?
ITS INSANE
I just completed this drama. The ending left me wondering. What the hell was that? I was not really expecting it. This drama is beyond creepy. It is a work of insanity. As if one insane killer is not creepy enough , we have a gang of them. Many scenes were spooky and it gave me chills. I almost lost it when I saw that bracelet made of human teeth. How did they even come up with that? Its just crazy. I have to say , the storywriter is brilliant. The actors did a great job as well. I was literally cursing at the characters. I hated almost everyone around the male lead. Humans are definitely the scariest creature of all.Was this review helpful to you?
So creepy, The Stuff of Nightmares
This drama has such an excellent atmosphere, the music, and the boarding house, so creepy, so dark. All the acting was fantastic, the story is depressing as hell, and parts are horrifying. I would have liked to know more about the other inhabitants of the Eden Boarding House and I will say that I found a few things to be so difficult to believe that it broke the story's spell on me, but overall this is a must-watch if you like thrillers or horror--or Lee Dong Wook. As this story unfolds there are so many moments where our MC is almost able to escape bad things we know are coming for him, but his chances to evade fate are always stopped--this makes for great tension.Was this review helpful to you?
Not a spoiler review
Review of "Strangers From Hell""Strangers From Hell,"is a 2019 South Korean psychological thriller.The plot centers around Yoon Jong-woo (Im Si-wan), a young aspiring writer who moves to Seoul to pursue his dreams. Struggling financially, he decides to rent a cheap room in an old, dilapidated dormitory called Eden Studio. The dormitory is populated by a strange and unsettling group of residents, each with their own eerie quirks and unsettling behavior. As Jong-woo becomes increasingly unnerved by his neighbors, he finds himself trapped in a nightmarish situation where reality and paranoia blur.
One of the series' strengths lies in its atmosphere. From the moment Jong-woo steps into Eden Studio, there is an overwhelming sense of unease. The narrow, dimly lit hallways, the oppressive silence, and the unnerving behavior of the residents create a claustrophobic environment that mirrors Jong-woo's deteriorating mental state. The setting itself becomes a character in the story, contributing to the sense of dread that permeates every episode.
Im Si-wan delivers a stellar performance as Yoon Jong-woo. His portrayal of a man slowly descending into madness is both convincing and terrifying. As the series progresses, Jong-woo's initial discomfort turns into full-blown paranoia, and Im Si-wan masterfully captures this transformation. His ability to convey fear, desperation, and anger with subtlety adds depth to the character and keeps the audience invested in his fate.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, particularly Lee Dong-wook as Seo Moon-jo, the enigmatic dentist who lives next door to Jong-woo. Lee Dong-wook's portrayal of Moon-jo is chilling, exuding a quiet menace that is both captivating and disturbing. His character is the embodiment of the evil that lurks behind the façade of normalcy, and his interactions with Jong-woo are some of the most intense moments in the series.
*"Strangers From Hell"* is not just a horror series; it is a commentary on the alienation and isolation that can arise from living in a densely populated, yet emotionally disconnected, urban environment. The series explores themes of loneliness, social anxiety, and the fear of the unknown, all of which are amplified in the oppressive atmosphere of Eden Studio. The residents of the dormitory represent different facets of this isolation, each one a reflection of the darker aspects of human nature.
The series also delves into the concept of hell as a state of mind. As Jong-woo becomes more entangled in the web of madness surrounding him, he realizes that the true horror lies not in the physical world, but in the psychological torment inflicted by his own fears and the malevolent influence of those around him.
However, *"Strangers From Hell"* is not without its flaws. The pacing can be slow at times
In conclusion, *"Strangers From Hell"* is a gripping psychological thriller that offers a haunting exploration of the human psyche. Its intense atmosphere, strong performances, and thought-provoking themes make it a must-watch for fans of horror and psychological drama. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate a slow-burning, character-driven narrative will find much to admire in this dark, unsettling series.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Ok this was... really really good??!
I went into this show with very low expectations, but by the end I was totally immersed and impressed by how well-crafted and rattling it was.Story: psychologically twisted while still retaining some realistic and relatable elements. The premise is far-fetched, but at its core, is grounded in the dark realities of human behavior. It successfully conveys how deeply ones' mental state can be polluted and transformed by their circumstances, and how strangers harbor evil in its various forms - envy, narcissism, gluttony, lust - that can infect you and latch onto your weaknesses and traumas. This is a reflection of a disturbing and mysterious reality that exists in every social and cultural space, and in all walks of life. The show did an excellent job of portraying what happens when these situations collide and spiral out of control, with focus on how they are allowed to fester and metastasize in lower class communities in particular.
The characters are all uniquely crafted, and the acting was mostly stellar across the board. The apartment dwellers were all so sickening, but I was most impressed by Moon Jo, played by Lee Dong Wook whose performance was masterful and chilling. The role suited him so perfectly, that it was clearly made for him. I had only seen LDW in Goblin before this, which was very forgettable for me, but he shines in this role. I now understand his appeal – not because he plays a psychopath so well, but because his immense versatility as an actor was on full display.
The cinematography was creative without being excessively stylized or over-the-top. I appreciated the liberties they took with camera movements and color treatments that made the torment of living in such a horrible, disgusting, cramped space feel tangible.
Some criticisms: Jung Woo's overall arc and development had a nice, arguably sluggish, gradual build up only to be very rushed by the end. His acting was on point 95% of the time when it didn't look like he was trying too hard. I do wish the show included more background info on the dynamics of the apartment dwellers, maybe through some flashbacks that show us how they met and wound up living there, but I also understand why the writers wouldn't want to include this, as to not undercut the main theme of coping with mysterious presence of strangers. The show was riddled with some pretty dumb character choices, a few predictable twists, but none to really put me off completely. The end also felt a little bit rushed and sloppy. Brief allusions to The Metamorphosis by Kafka were nice, I just wish they explored this more.
Overall, very disturbing but highly recommended if you can stomach it! It's one of those shows that stuck with me for days after finishing it and gave me a lot to think and lose sleep over.
Was this review helpful to you?
Disturbing yet interesting
This is probably one of the best kdrama thriller I've watched. I won't gonna ask for more and there's no need for season 2 because the series was all enough. I can't call whether it is masterpiece or not but all I can say is, good is just an understatement because it surely one of the great kdramas I've watched. The casts were chosen perfectly and they are all suitable to their respective roles. Plus the sound effects and osts made it creepier, the location seems fine for its genre and this is highly recommended for everyone who loves dark series.Few reasons to watch this series:
First, this is not a typical story about ghosts or supernaturals, it was about humans with their inhumane deeds. It simply tells us that our enemy is also the other people.
The casts potrayed their roles perfectly. I'm glad that all of them justified the characters from webtoon adaptation. I highly praised every casts there because they did a superb work! Im-Si Wan (Joong Woo) was really an effective protagonist, the way he speak and the way he express his anger captivates the viewers. Lee Dong Wook (Moon Jo) is such as versatile, I thought he only suit for romcoms but I was wrong. He proved that he can also portray being a serial killer, he used his charms to gaslights people. Lee Jung Eun (Bok Son) also did a great job! I really feel frighten whenever she tries to be generous then aftetwards there is some sort of change that you need to pay back. Park Jong Hwan (Deuk Jong) that crazy guy also one of my fave cast there and kudos for him doing such a double role. The way he laugh makes me laugh too. Lee Jong Ok (Nam Bok) that horny guy, I hated him throughout the series but I have to admit that his horrible personality actually added creeps.
It was confusing and leave you puzzled. I kept on binge watching it to the point that it took me just one and a half day just to finished it.
The plot twist wasn't that really good because it is predictable but still the story line is great.
There were some scenes where it shows lacking but still applause to OCN for producing such this wonderful series.
Was this review helpful to you?
A slow trip down the rabbit hole of insanity
What an amazing drama! The gripping atmosphere, the intense music, the story-telling, the top-notch acting and so much more. Everything was just a masterpiece. Granted that there were a few instances where you, the viewer, will have to overlook minor plot instances and go with it. However, I believe that a drama need not cover all the minor plot holes and should be seen for what a drama is supposed to be - entertainment.If you're looking for something that will keep you at the edge of your seat, holding onto your every breath and possibly questioning your own sanity, this is what you're looking for.
Was this review helpful to you?
best kdrama ever made
everything about is too good. it's the first time ever i don't have anything negative to say about a show even if it's a detail. EVERYTHING IS PERFECT.the characters are amazingly written, the storyline is interesting from beginning to end, the way every single episode is shot makes your anxiety go high and the music goes so well with everything happening. if you haven't watched it please PLEASE do so, it's a masterpiece. ever since i've watched it i want to erase it from my brain to experience it for the first time, i'm obsessed with it in a fucked up way fr.
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautifully put together.
It took me a bit longer to finish watching this because this drama is so intense.This was a beautifully shot psychological thriller. I have to mention that I love the soundtrack too. I truly feel the frustration while watching this drama, which brings out that helpless feeling from under pressure from society to meet certain expectations, and also from abuse of senior power, while feeling lonely, fighting the battle alone against the world. The series has done a superb job at bringing out that cramped and gritty feel and depressing mood of the main character, Jong-woo's living condition, as well as portraying his deteriorating mental condition and sanity as the drama progressed.
If you like psychological thriller, definitely give this a watch.
Rewatch value - I almost never rewatch anything, same goes with this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
Everything from the sound design to the acting conveys a truly fascinating story that tells what the human mind is capable of when there is the perfect storm of environment, life situations, and the question of what makes a person human.
I'm someone who really values excellent story telling and execution as well as acting ability, and this drama has fulfilled both wonderfully.
The plot was exactly what you would expect in any Psychological Thriller. The building tension, the unexpected twists, and relationships that are more than what they seem. It was very carefully crafted and laid out, and the pacing was perfect amount of rising action and falling action. Besides these things, I always find it fascinating when shows explore the depths of human's sanity and what that means when we let the darkness win (or what happens when we fight it). This show, in particular, had a special way of making it feel like a thriller but also a commentary on what extent our minds try to cope with our environments.
It felt like everything in this drama was intentional and genuine, and added more layers to this very rich story. Starting with quick cuts of our main character trying to find the perfect housing, we see his growing desperation until he lands at the Eden residence where he is quickly greeted by a smiling building owner who is quick to provide a quick drink and cheap rent. From there we have longer shots where the camera pans over the structure of this building and the audience gets a clearer view of what exactly our main character will truly be living in. This attention to detail in camera work extends to its sound design utilizing clear monotone sounds to convey the weight of a single moment, the background noise that clutters the main characters' mind, and the use of well timed OST created an atmosphere that remained unmatched from most dramas I've watched.
An actor I have to highlight here is Lee Dong-wook. I have seen him previously in dramas like Goblin and Touch Your Heart and currently in Tale of the Nine-Tails. My view of him is the perfect male lead who has a heart of gold and a smile you could die for. His visuals are perfect for the classic, dreamy male lead in romantic comedy dramas. So seeing him in the role of the villain made me truly believe in his acting ability. Lee Dong-wook's acting style of conveying the most subtle emotions with his eyes truly shone in this drama as he played this mysterious, yet insidious character. One moment he seems like a polite neighbor who wants to make our protagonist feel at home, and in the switch of a moment there is a darkness lurking that can be barely restrained. The subtle choices with his facial expressions were key in different moments of this drama and he truly delivered. This enhanced performance further highlighted Yoon Jong-woo's equally brilliant portrayal of our main character. While the tension of this drama is centered on two of the leads, each side character of this drama is vitally important and the actors who played them knew that.
It can be easy, sometimes, to rely on actors to deliver the exact message you want to tell the audience, but with this drama it has an easy balance between directing, sound mixing, and excellent acting.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Always listen to your gut
This drama was amazing! I am not a fan of gore and bloody scenes, but I was hooked on this drama and I wanted to finish it. It was so worth it! The series takes us on Jung Woo's journey to insanity and teaches us that, well, hell is indeed in other people and even in ourselves.To be honest, if Jong Woo decided to trust himself a little, he wouldn't have stayed at the studio and maybe he wouldn't have gone mad. Sadly, his friend and girlfriend didn't trust him either, so that made him feel even more lonely and had to deal with all of that himself. The only characters that were supportive of him were his mother and smol bean Seok-yoon. Maybe if he got there earlier, things would have been different.
I understood that his girlfriend had her own struggles, but she was quite frustrating. She never listened to him or thought he was overreacting.
Some scenes were questionable (I mean, the sudden addition of his old friend from the army, I liked him, but I don't know why he had to be present), but it was an amazing drama with beautiful acting and got me thinking a little. I would skip the bloody parts but I'd watch it again!
Was this review helpful to you?
