2025 K-movies I'll watch ₊✩‧₊˚౨ৎ˚₊✩‧₊

It is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that thrives on psychological tension rather than explosive action.

What stands out most is the suffocating atmosphere. The film’s confined spaces, like upscale restaurants, sterile law offices, and tense family dining rooms, mirror the characters' mounting anxiety. The camera often lingers uncomfortably on faces, capturing microexpressions that betray suppressed panic or calculated control. This slow-burn approach builds an oppressive tension that makes the characters' moral descent feel disturbingly realistic.

The performances are stellar, particularly from the parents, whose escalating desperation feels painfully raw. The contrast between the brothers, one calm and methodical, the other emotionally volatile, drives much of the conflict. The film smartly avoids clear-cut villains, instead exploring how even the most well-intentioned people can justify dangerous decisions when cornered.

While *A Normal Family* isn’t heavy on twists, its strength lies in how deeply it immerses viewers in its characters' moral turmoil.

In short, it's a psychological thriller that prioritizes character complexity over fast-paced action. 

8.5/10 for me

# Positive Aspects:
*Unique World-Building:* The film blends traditional Catholic exorcism elements with Korean shamanism and tarot, making it stand out from typical religious horror movies.
*Creepy Atmosphere:* The eerie cinematography, unsettling background music, and the slow-building dread are worth to be praised.
*Strong Performances:* Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-been’s acting was perfect, with both delivering intense and believable performances.

# Criticism:
- Weak Character Development
- The film’s early clues and hints were used too frequently in the climax, making the twists feel predictable rather than shocking.
- Sound Mixing Issues: Some crucial exorcism scenes had unclear or muffled dialogue, making it frustrating to follow. 

5/10 for me.

This movie made me smile like an idiot. Park Se Ri with her messy, frizzy hair, her desperate little “confession project,” her bumbling around like a malfunctioning Roomba with a crush, her awkward little heart beating too fast... yeah, that was me, that was you, that was a lot of us at some point. I was cringing and swooning at the same time because wow, teenage me really jumped out.

The vibe was very 20th Century Girl. Nostalgic, youthful, a little dreamy. The music + soft cinematography had me floating in that in-between space of memory and fiction. Up until halfway through, I kept bracing myself for pain (because 20th Century Girl scarred me for life lol), but nope! This one doesn’t go full trauma, except… there’s this sudden dramatic plot point in the second half that felt like it wandered in from another script. I literally tilted my head like a confused puppy. Of course, it didn’t wholly sink the ship, but it did feel like someone tripped and dropped it just to create a conflict.

The best parts weren’t even the “romantic project,” but Se Ri herself... her insecurities, her friendships, her chaotic little energy. She felt like a real teenage girl, not some perfectly lit mannequin who wakes up with glass skin and 17 Chanel handbags. Shin Eun Soo nailed it. Gong Myung looked good with her, they were fluttery together, though… yeah, him as a high schooler? Bit of a stretch. Still, it worked enough that I forgave it.

Cha Woo-min didn't get much screen time, but wow, the directing made sure his presence popped. After the movie I was like, “Wait, that was it?” But impact > minutes, babes.

And then, THE CAMEOS! PURE. SEROTONIN. Every time one popped up my face twisted into the dumbest grin imaginable. When Gong Yoo and Jung Yu Mi appeared, I could feel my brain physically lighting up like a slot machine.

8/10 for me

Kill Boksoon set the bar; Mantis stumbles 

 6/10

A faithful, heartfelt adaptation that knows what to keep, what to trim, and what to transform

8.5/10 for me.

Overall, the film is a masterful blend of dark comedy, psychological thriller, and social critique. Its narrative is both shocking and meticulously crafted, balancing intense suspense with moments of absurd humor and moral reflection. While some may be unsettled by the graphic depictions of murder and the protagonist’s morally ambiguous actions, the film succeeds in presenting a deeply layered story that challenges to consider the extremes of human ambition, desperation, and ethical compromise. It is a provocative, unsettling, and ultimately compelling cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

8/10 for me

Flat characters. Clichéd predictable story. A one-time watch. Nothing much

6/10