Masterpiece But Not For Everyone
To be honest, this movie had me floored. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it perfect, but it's dangerously close. A solid 9/10 for me. It’s the kind of film that demands your patience — the first act is a slow burn, and you might find yourself wondering where it’s all headed. But once it kicks into gear, it really kicks. The story unfolds into something dark, twisted, and absolutely unforgettable. It's a masterclass in storytelling and tension, with a unique take on revenge that I haven’t seen anywhere else.
What struck me most was how original and gripping the execution was. It’s not often that I watch a film and find myself literally yelling by the end, “Everyone needs to see this!” That’s how good it was. But — and there’s always a but — the ending felt like it overstayed its welcome. I don’t know what it is with Park Chan-wook, but he always seems to add that one extra scene that takes away a bit of the emotional punch. It's like he doesn’t trust the audience to sit with the impact.
Still, Choi Min-sik was phenomenal. His performance had this raw, almost feral energy that made his character both pitiful and terrifying. The premise itself is simple: a man mysteriously imprisoned for fifteen years, then suddenly released. Why? That single question carries the entire film and hooks you like a fish on a line. You need to know the answer. And when it comes — wow. Just… wow.
I went in skeptical, especially since this movie has been praised to the heavens, and usually that sets off alarm bells for me. But this time, the hype was real. It’s one of those rare movies that sticks in your brain long after the credits roll.
What struck me most was how original and gripping the execution was. It’s not often that I watch a film and find myself literally yelling by the end, “Everyone needs to see this!” That’s how good it was. But — and there’s always a but — the ending felt like it overstayed its welcome. I don’t know what it is with Park Chan-wook, but he always seems to add that one extra scene that takes away a bit of the emotional punch. It's like he doesn’t trust the audience to sit with the impact.
Still, Choi Min-sik was phenomenal. His performance had this raw, almost feral energy that made his character both pitiful and terrifying. The premise itself is simple: a man mysteriously imprisoned for fifteen years, then suddenly released. Why? That single question carries the entire film and hooks you like a fish on a line. You need to know the answer. And when it comes — wow. Just… wow.
I went in skeptical, especially since this movie has been praised to the heavens, and usually that sets off alarm bells for me. But this time, the hype was real. It’s one of those rare movies that sticks in your brain long after the credits roll.
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