Burning reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@chili24137]

DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE

[@RichardUlrichActor]

Thank you

[@AntonBaumgartner]

Thanks!

[@odan5047]

Good save, cheers for that. Bloody hell Mark

[@aredutrimes1558]

Okie dokes.

[@Filmtvinterview]

Thank you!

[@Ankit.Sethi.]

This film proves that awards show voters don't actually watch movies.

[@RyanKhanna]

I think it's also the fact that south-korean cinema has not gotten a lot of love from the academy for several decades. Sucks because this is definitely right behind Roma as one of the best foreign films of last year

[@seanhandron-obrien4276]

Which makes it one of the 2 or 3 best films of the year, honestly. Few American films in 2018, besides maybe First Reformed and Leave No Trace, can compete.

[@racewiththefalcons1]

I think it actually proves that awards are truly not about who did the best job. We're just told to accept they are, and we do.

[@ginny1807]

Burning actually was nominated and won many international awards ex. it was nominated for Palme d’Or, and won FIPRESCI Prize & Vulcan Award in Cannes 2018

[@Alvaro-fh5dd]

The story is so well written and directed that it makes you want to watch it several times That´s when you know that the film is very good

[@twentygoodmen]

this one of those movies that haunts you after watching...I still can't get it out of my head

[@d__on]

It’s been a LONG time since I watched it. Still think about it all time.

[@calvinlaw7790]

Most unfortunate that it missed out on a Best Foreign Film nomination. And for that matter, Steven Yeun should've made much more noise on the awards scene - though I'm delighted that multiple critical groups recognised his brilliance.

[@musicmann1967]

Very unexpectedly my favorite film of the year. This one came out of left field for me, and it's a stunner.

[@thepancakesman]

Roma, Burning, Cold War, Shoplifters. The foreign language films were so much better than anything else in the big awards nominations this year (with the exception of the favourite). Cinema at its best.

[@ginofactap]

well, The Favourite is Lanthimos's weakest film tbh, although compared to other nominees that year you could totally consider it a masterpiece I guess... freaking A Star is Born instead of Burning for christ's sake lol.

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

_Cold War_ is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen... truly incredible! Pawlikowski directing that and _Ida_ one after the other is the best 1, 2 punch from a director since PTA made _There Will Be Blood_ and _The Master._

[@jimmyrustles358]

Never seen a movie so boring that was so captivating and had me thinking about it long, long after it was over. Incredible film.

[@michaeljagiello8439]

Just watched it an hour ago and my mind is in a complete knot in the best way. It’s uniquely haunting and mesmerizing at the same time and it’s been hammered into my head with brute force.

[@dhruvgoyal1506]

Absolutely LOVE the good Dr.'s rapturous response to this. The way he is struggling to exactly to put his feelings into words here but also raving about it so aptly mimics the effect of this hypnotically alluring masterpiece!

[@sonicgoo1121]

I think we should call this genre a Schrodinger's movie.

[@Time_to_Stop_Animal_Cruelty]

Well, I think the cat is obviously significant considering this story is based on Muakami n Faulkner. Both writers were crazy about cats. "For me cats are the role model for being alive.” ~Haruki Murakami

[@Pheonix8877]

It already has a name, it’s called postmodern

[@sfernandez3047]

Not just the best movie of the week , but the best film of the past year, by quite some distance

[@critiquefinn5107]

Simon Fernandez for me, best of the decade, and the 4th greatest of all time.

[@Arkain89]

@@critiquefinn5107 I mean really?.. Just like found footage movies profit from the "boredom is replaced by potential spooks", I thought Burning abused the "every scene could be might be hiding something of meaning", which ended up making it really, really long... I loved every other aspect of the movie, but I think you could have cut down like 30 min of it by not lingering on every moment like it did.

[@critiquefinn5107]

@@Arkain89 Honestly, If that time was cut the strange twilight zone ambience would be lost.

[@Arkain89]

@@critiquefinn5107 I'm not talking about long scenes like him (comically) checking on every greenhouse around his farm or the moment where you have to wait to see the sun reflected on the tower. Those things work and are completely justified. My best example for this is the whole subplot about his father's trial. And it's not like you can't see how it fits with the narrative : class struggle, internalized anger, people who seem to be "fine" and then fly off the handle. But there are so many scenes that just repeat what you already know (yep, his father's on trial, and he will be found guilty) in so many minutes and then end up with some randy reminding you they think our main character is a good writer. Nothing inherently wrong with those moments, but on my second watch it truly became sleep inducing. I don't know if people really explain it by trying to find any kind of impossibly well-hidden small meaning during every second of a "lynchesque" film or if they were just happy Burning took its time.

[@ahsansoumik7616]

I'd recommend you all to watch An Elephant Sitting Still, Burning was my favourite film of the 2010's until I saw this

[@maxharrison4708]

Deserved the Palme D’or over Shoplifters, and I adored Shoplifters

[@maxharrison4708]

It has every single one of the themes/genre nods that Mark mentions, all framed through the broad arching theme of masculine envy. Cinematic brilliance.

[@nabil731]

To me, both of them are extremely special in their own way so idk

[@SawChaser]

@@nabil731 Same. First I watched Burning and was confused how it didn't win, because it was so great. But then I watched Shoplifters and I'm not sure which one I would put over the other.

[@EscargoTouChaud]

I'm with you! Shoplifters is beautiful and I enjoyed watching. Burning was quite heavy, tense and slow, and not as enjoyable to watch. Now that time has passed (and I have only seen each of the films once), Shoplifters is a bit blurry in my memory, whereas Burning is crystal clear. It sticks with you.

[@shahrock6969]

Watched Parasite, Memories of Murder, Mother and Burning.... Each of them is a blast...Any other suggestions are welcomed.

[@filmfrauds7018]

Burning has to be one of the most fascinating movies of the last decade. The movie proposes so many questions that are never fully answered, and yet I found Burning have a completely satisfying narrative. My friends and I just did an hour + long discussion of Burning on our channel, and it was crazy to see how we all have different interpretations of it.

[@rbdriftin]

One of the best films of the last 12 months. It's not only a great cinematic mystery but a really excellent commentary about the division between economic classes.

[@Time_to_Stop_Animal_Cruelty]

The cat, imo, is a significant figure lol. This story is based on Muakami n Faulkner. Both writers were crazy about cats. And in Korea/Japan, cat is classified, not as an animal, but spirit... "For me cats are the role model for being alive.” ~Haruki Murakami

[@maxilopez1596]

The emotions in this film are so raw and real, you recognize each scenario, yet everything is shroaded in mystery

[@Arl662]

It’s a shame it wasn’t nominated for Oscar

[@WoshiBryant]

YES, loved this film. Burning “is a story about young people in today’s world. When they think of their lives and the world, it must feel like a mystery” - Lee Chang dong. I was worried I was going to hate it in the beginning, but this is one of my favorite films because of the way it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I suspect a lot of people might not like this film because it's really slow, confusing, and frustrating at times. But it's so gorgeous, it's so well-acted, and if you pay attention super closely to find out what's happened, you'll realize you didn't have to. Because that sense of being lost is kind of the point. And Lee Chang-dong has made a film filled with empathy for that person/viewer who is always looking for concrete answers [in life], but where none can be found.

[@johngld21x]

that explains to me

[@alextromagnetic]

I'm still angry this has been snubbed at both the BAFTAs and the Oscars

[@csjcsj2906]

Would this qualify for next year's BAFTAs? It did come out today (Feb 1) in the UK. The Handmaiden (2016) and Elle (2016) came out in the UK in early 2017, and got nominated for Foreign BAFTA in 2018, The Handmaiden winning.

[@alextromagnetic]

@@csjcsj2906 here's hoping

[@jnru3ns4N3]

@@csjcsj2906 it'd be forgotten by then unless its constantly talked about like elle and handmaiden were

[@DrawingABlanka]

Its mind boggling that this was not nominated I watched it tonight and have been stunned the last couple of hours.

[@McBenjieuk]

Shame it's got such a limited release in UK cinemas. Meanwhile, Bohemian Rhapsody enters its billionth month.

[@abcd56698]

The cat was Llewyn Davis

[@宏耀許]

the cat in llewyn davis is a better actor

[@Cobralalalala]

Few things bring me as much joy as hearing Mark rave like this over a movie, but Simon being willfully obtuse to get at him is close. :) I can't wait to see this movie.

[@boombang5750]

I felt the basic story was simple. It was the presentation which was very captivating. Cheers to the writer and director.

[@SuccessforLifester]

Some scenes gave me the vibes of Twin Peaks

[@beatsone]

One of the best films I've seen in recent years

[@wanlitan7406]

0:47 One quibble with the review; Jong-su and Hae-mi were NOT childhood friends! Here are the lines spoken on that walk up to Hae-mi's apartment where they share that "moment of intimacy". Hae-mi: Do you remember? You said that I am ugly. Jong-su: Really? I said that? Hae-mi: One day, on my way home from school, you crossed the street and told me that. "You are really ugly." It was the only thing you ever said to me in junior high.

[@vicrattlehead6386]

I dont know but this movie reminds me alot of Taxi driver (1976) where there's lots of scene with awkward silence and makes you wonder and keep guessing till the end of the movie , what's this all about? what's the motive? is this guy psychopath? The tention keeps building till the bloody ending just like in Taxi driver. Very different storyline but similar in delivery (even the jazzy saxophone music) . Needs to watch it multiple times .

[@stefanostsougkranis5851]

I don't know if I loved this film in its entirety but... it will certainly stick with me for a while. It's as real as it is hypnotic, it feels as emotional as it feels distant. The unnerving music and so many questions and different possibilities BURNING my mind. The symbolism etched in my memory... So I want to address an issue about this film's story and plot : I have a strong feeling that Ben and Jong-su is the same person. Some thoughts on this: Africa could symbolize its descend to the great hunger that he satiated when he killed Hae-mi. The cat could be left alive as a memento to her existence (that was disputed entirely for a part of the film) and that she wanted to end. Jong su obviously had a strange relationship with fire, as described in the infamous "weed-smoking scene", when he said that his father made him burn his mother's clothes when he was still a child... and "he hates his father". He probably could burn "greenhouses" (having many different girls as victims) himself after having the traumatizing experience of his mom leaving the house. Hating his father could be an excuse made by him after commiting all these murders when fueled by lust for living to the extreme alongside women, thus having a strong fire burning within him. And also don't forget the interesting connection of the following two phrases "I can't understand why people cry" and "The world is an enigma to me". To cut a long story short, I believe Ben is one of the possible alter egos of Jong-su's quiet and stoic self when exposed to the ever-burning fire that is life.

[@izzie1200]

This is a rubbish theory

[@shahrock6969]

For me its about human psychology, that how less we know and our minds fills the gaps to create meaning out of it. And there's no possible way our interpretation can be any closer to reality, that haunted me when movie ended.... 😪

[@michaelangst6078]

This movie was made 1 year too early. This film is much better than parasite and actually realistic and it isn't filled with cliches....

[@arwinvanwermeskerken2084]

Just saw parasite this weekend. Although a good movie, Burning rates a couple of stars more. Much more deepness, much more character evolvement. Burning definitely one in my top 10 ever!

[@Ema-nt3gp]

Ben was likely a human trafficker, that’s why he was in Africa (he has many African arts in his house and Jongsu mother brought up organs trafficking in her short appearance). But not necessarily literally, I see it as a metaphor of the rich feeding on the poor (Ben was always either eating or having food around, in all his appearances). It’s also about misogyny: whether we love women or not, we hurt them. Haemi was called a whore by Jongsu, killed by Ben and badly treated by her family. Her own mother thought she was a liar and made up the well incident, Jongsu thought she was a liar and didn’t believe she had a cat (even there were evidence of the cat existence). And the the thing is even we, the audience, didn’t believe she had a cat.

[@wvarley]

I think whats so great about this movie is how many interpretations can come out of it. There is also nothing on screen that can prove that Ben is doing anything illegal. But as we follow the movie through Jongsu, we see it through his eyes and his obsession with Haemi. I think the movie is a commentary on modern South Korea, especially younger people. Incredible movie, I could watch it forever.

[@kiy5278]

Absolutely incredible film.

[@mathewtoll6780]

Does the guy get pulled over the police? He has the police look at him.

[@lindybeige]

I have just seen the film, and do not recall this scene.

[@tomchamberlain578]

10/10

[@Onmysheet]

Incredible movie! I had the Blu Ray for a while and put myself off watching it. Can't believe I've overlooked this director.

[@blade6321]

Saw this at Leeds int film festival a few months ago. Fantastic watch!

[@Kuki3l]

While I really really liked the film did anyone else feel like the story was supposed to be enigmatic it leaned towards one more plausible version of the story pretty much all the way until the last sentance? I mean it's great and well worth a watch but to me the intention seemed to be "well, you'll never really know" and I thought it was more suggesting a version of the story only to slightly subserve it in the end.

[@seanhandron-obrien4276]

It keeps its balance throughout. For every piece of evidence suggesting one conclusion, there is another to refute it (see the pink watch he finds in Ben's apt, which could be Haemi's, but he also met another girl wearing the same watch). I was torn the whole way through and couldn't take a side to it. That's why the ending was so abrupt, there was never that one thing Jong su, or the audience, could point to and say that's the smoking gun.

[@johngld21x]

same thoughts

[@bgp2k]

Where can I watch the movie legitimately? Or when is the UK/EU release date

[@KennyPang]

OMG what a film! A mindfuck. -Yes, it deals with class. -Hereditary. -The drifting of the younger society in S. Korea. Having no purpose. Probably more but need to view it again. hahaha SPOILER AHEAD: Ben and Jong-su is one person. Sort of Fight Club. But more in parallel universe. Not mental issues. Schrodinger's cat.

[@Aidan-qc7mq]

I personally disagree with the Fight Club idea, but it's an interesting interpretation... what makes you feel that way? (I know this comment is a year old btw, but if you fancy discussing?)

[@nicolewilliams6052]

I still don't know if she really was a neighbor from his childhood, or if she was just a random girl. The well story always put me in doubt, but then how did she know his name?

[@thescottishaccent]

She was definitely from his childhood, as there's a scene where he visits the women in the cafe who know both of them (and one seems to be her mother). As for everything else? Who knows!

[@JohnnyJohnny-f5o]

Parasite is the big mainstream Korean movie that everyone knows, but Burning is far, far superior imo

[@Anton-wk8lv]

So... what the hell happemed to Hae-Mi?

[@Gildete257]

This movie is extraordinary.

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

TBF, the background looks like a Francis Bacon painting, so who knows how deep or 'good' anything is?

[@martinoxford5891]

Shame it wasn’t nominated

[@punbhjdkugk]

SPOILERS AHEAD: It is mainly about class, Mark. It's evident from the moment, when Ben meets Lee Jong-su. Ben's attitude is alpha, while Lee Jong-su's, obviously beta. Lee Jong-su is aware of the situation, from the moment, when Ben invites him and Hae-mi for a dinner. Lee Jong-su was a lowclass man, but an educated one - he was throughly aware of his social situation and the way the world works. Compared to Hae-mi, who was unaware of the reality, like, she was living in a complete denial of social structures, or rather, she was living a delusional life. I met people like Hae-mi, and the way that character was written, is perfectly realistic. I was in situations, where richer friends of friends tried to involve me in a situation that I don't have control of - it's a typical manner, where they dominate you so easily after few meetings, that your opinion doesn't matter - you are going to go to a stranger's house, because it's polite; you are going to host a stranger in your house, because it's polite to do - and so on, and so on. Ben was a typical, rich, manipulative, corrupted and privileged assface, who was also a disgusting sociopathic-psychopath, using lowclass, low iq girls, to fulfill his strange fantasy. When they started talking about the burning, I was surprised how easily Lee Jong-su was convinced of the idea, and then, there was a scene with a little boy who burns down a greenhouse - It was him, for sure. So, for that very moment, I felt like, he found a soulmate in his rare tendencies. Until the moment, where he got the phone call from Hae-mi, he probably felt more empathy and understanding, even tho the class difference and general character difference between them, was evident. There's a scene, where he's driving around the greenhouses, to find an evidence of Ben burning one, and we can see by that time, that Lee Jong-su was truly excited about the idea. That's why he got so into it - he had his own personal problems - low-income job, writers block - so, he sacrificed his entire time to greenhouses investigation, and later, Hae-mi investigation. I also tried to understand, while watching, what is actually the reason, that lead both Ben and Lee Jong-su to that strange "hobby", of burning. It was evident, that Ben was a master-manipulator, and when he first talked about it, I felt, that he just enjoyed destruction - some people destroy, to feel alive, so i've heard. It would also match Lee Jong-su's reasons, because of his past/present life. But I couldn't figure out, why exactly was Ben into burning young women inside the greenhouses.. I have no idea, maybe I need to re-watch it, or maybe it wasn't hinted/explained. What I did figure out, is, how the mystery got so intense, that the director had to actually pretty much, straight-forwardly tell us some stuff, through the dialogues of the conflicted characters (Ben/Lee Jong-su - lol i did the same). Some stuff that they both said to each other, was so painfully obvious.. And then, the final sequence - I didn't liked that ending, about last 30 minutes were quite directionless and disappointing. The final "showdown" felt rushed and pretty much obvious. But, come to think about it - If i was Lee Jong-su - by the pressure, anxiety, paranoia - maybe I would also react so impulsive? Took all my clothes, and run away from there as fast as possible? Probably - we don't really think in moments like these, ain't we? The ending that would satisfy me - Despite all the evidence, Ben wasn't guilty. Hae-mi didn't died. Lee Jong-su sees, that he jumped to conclusions, and the fear of different class works both ways - we usually paint members of different social status and inferior to us, at least I do, and all the people that I know, probably too. So, it would prove Lee Jong-su's bias towards a rich, mysterious guy, who came out of nowhere. In the end, Lee Jong-su would, maybe out of madness or guilt or anything else - burn himself, with Ben. That's how I actually predicted it, while watching the ending.

[@KartikeyaDutta]

Nice analysis. I watched the film a day before yesterday and can't stop thinking about it. It's just there are so many questions and clues just scattered. I definitely want to give it a rewatch. Your piece gave me a bit relief.

[@omarsalkamusic]

One of my favorite movies!

[@riccardomoonk3364]

a masterpiece

[@jeremy29tunage]

WATCH THE MOVIE BEFORE THIS VIDEO

[@karmaking1263]

It’s an extraordinary film

[@noshow]

This film rocked me.

[@cirquedude123]

Love this film

[@christopherrimplington3643]

For me the review was too much sopiler

[@jerrygil1965]

That's why you should this after the movie

[@thirdtry2853]

you just spoil the whole movie

[@johnnyjohnny2650]

Far better than Parasite imo

[@coryc3756]

Early into the film I was convinced Haemi was setting up Jongsu for revenge with maybe Ben in on it, she appears into his life by supposedly chance, tells him of the time where he shouted at her saying "she's very ugly", she also explains that it was the only thing he had ever said to her and describes herself as now better looking because of the work been done on her. Jongsu feeds her cat while she's away but he's unable to find the cat anywhere except for the evidence of it's litter and poop under the bed. She comes back with Ben, Jongsu falls in love with her and becomes jealous of Ben, Jongsu asks Ben what he does for a living, Ben reply's, "Games", later Jongsu searches Ben's bathroom and finds a suspicious kit with what looks like a razor and miscellaneous objects. Ben tells Jongsu of his hobby burning greenhouses and it comes off as unnerving. Haemi seems to avoid Jongsu for a long period until he gets a phonecall from her with muffled noises and her voice in anguish. Jongsu investigates, Ben finds Jongsu outside his apartment and invites him in, Jongsu finds a cat in Ben's apartment which Ben reply's he recently homed it and it was a stray, the cat escapes the house, they chase after and Jongsu manages to retrieve by calling it's name 'Boil'. Much of this evidence points toward Ben being responsible for Haemi's disappearance and possible death but I was still convinced it was all a ploy until Jogsu stabbed Ben, I didn't expect this, now I wasn't sure if Ben did kill her or Haemi set all this up for revenge, after Jongsu killed Ben, I expected to see Jongsu in court being sentenced to prison for murder and Haemi would be there in the audience but the film ended right after Ben's murder. I enjoyed this film very much

[@arwinvanwermeskerken2084]

The reference a lot of people are missing is that Ben likes to play and uses a lot of metaphores. he even dares Jongsu to explain metaphores. Burning greenhouses is Ben's metaphore for seducing and eventually killing young Korean women. Jongsu puts the pieces of the puzzle together and decides he must take justice in his own hands. He can't rely on the system (as he had noticed whilst attending his fathers conviction). The strong, rich or powerful will beat the poor. It's brilliant movie, class injustice is put to the test, but also with the message that richness doesn't eventually overcome smartness.

[@PBOlad]

Excellente

[@jaredsouthern3159]

hahaha... "and is the there a cat" "arooaoh"

[@drawingmemoirs2807]

The ambiguity in it...

[@kimdavidjoon]

This movie is a complete misdirect. Steve Yeun’s character Ben, was nothing more than a lonely albeit cool, generous rich kid, who chooses to escape his boring existence (hence the “yawn” both times he’s with his so called “friends”) by going on soul searching trips around the world, spending time alone by secluded lakes, and cafes, putting makeup on girls and making them feel pretty (possibly gay? After all, we never once see him intimately involved with anyone) and hanging out with people outside of his social circle. Jongsu on the other hand, exhibits signs of a murderer in the making. 1. He is extremely jealous, 2. He is verbally abusive (calls Haemi ugly and a slut), 3. He is perverted. Dude masturbates multiple times in a girl’s bed, and dreams about burning shit, 4. He’s been aggressive since childhood (burned mothers clothes), 5. He excessively stalks both Haemi and Ben (at home, at the gym, at church, and while with his family). 6. And last but not least, he comes from a fucked up family where his parents have no sense of moral value In the end this movie is no more than a story about a cold blooded killer and how he perceives the world around him. That’s my opinion at least~😜

[@ryanbutterworth1845]

Joon Kim Nice Theory, but what about Boil (the cat) and the pink watch.

[@kimdavidjoon]

Ryan Butterworth in my opinion it’s a play on the idea that we tend to see things the way we want to rather than how it actually is. The watch along with all the other trinkets he’s collected from past girls could be “🏆s” for his long list of kills or it simply could be sentimental items given to him as a gift. It’s common to have/receive/keep sentimental items from past relationships. As for the cat, I’m not 100% certain of this, and while cats are domesticated, and capable of comprehension, I don’t think it’s common for cats to respond to their name being called. For me, i chalk this up as a mere coincidence and again jongsu and the audience seeing what they want to see to justify their assumptions ~

[@kylestyyle987]

Interesting take, but I think it kind of undermines the class critique theme that underpins the whole movie. Also, I think Jongsu said that his dad forced him to burn his mother’s clothes.

[@seanhandron-obrien4276]

Ryan Butterworth, if it's the same cat then why didn't the cat come running when Jong su was calling out "Boil" in Haemi's apartment? For every piece of evidence there's a counterargument against it's validity. Whether or not Jong su is right about Ben, I think Jong su is in the midst of a breakdown from the very first scene of the film. In his narrative, he's the hero. But in reality, there is no where near enough evidence for him to justify how he "deals" with Ben.

[@NeonNoodleNexus]

He only started stalking after he got worried after Haemi disappeared and suspected Ben. And before that I wouldn't say his initial jealousy was out of the ordinary. There's a girl he likes and he's been outshone. He didn't do much more before the disappearance than hang out at the farm, all contact with Ben and Haemi was initiated by them. There is way more evidence that the director stacked that Ben is a serial killer. Trophies discovered before the disappearance. The watch trophy that appeared after. The cat that appeared in Ben's apartment afterwards. Metaphor of burning barns. Ben's overtly displaying knowledge of Haemi being alone, no contact of family or friends. The identical girl that he grooms afterwards doing the same thing, telling the same type of story.

[@curtisjang97]

Am I the only one not getting why people think this movie is so good

[@beag4961]

No, you're not the only one. Not only did I cringe at portrayal of the young Korean women as brainless, but I could predict the plot with such an ease that it was just boring (not burning) to wait until Jong-su catches up. And when everyone is second-guessing there was no cat or maybe even no Heimei, then I really don't know what the pink watch was doing in Ben's drawer. On the other hand - the possibility being that Jong-su has imagined it all up for the purpose of his book to be written, where the hell has he met Ben? And even if he just met him somewhere, the idea to throw everything in a film into doubt whether it actually existed or not is just simply an easy way out of an otherwise simple, predictable and boringly unwinding plot. There has been a few good accents there though - the unemployment of the young people, the North Korean propaganda radio, the mother who seeing her son after n-teen years cannot peel her eyes of her mobile phone. But that's about it.

[@mikemulcahy]

I agree. A total waste of my 2 and a half hours. This film is a classic case of the emperors new clothes.

[@IlijaBossrock]

Plot is not point of this movie

[@wavesinthe5112]

Me as well. I’m seeing 10/10 and top 10 movies ever in the comments and I’m having a rough time believing it lol. I just finished this movie an hour ago

[@molinify]

Why is he telling everyone the whole film, there’s no point watching it after this

[@XhoowieX]

I must have watched a different film to everybody else. It held my attention to an extent for the first hour or so, but I ultimately felt like I had no reason to care about the characters or what happened to them.

[@icegloves7777]

Completely agree

[@AniMeLoVeR23451]

very aesthetic film 9/10

[@The_Reviewist]

It's about..... 20 minutes too long

[@seanhandron-obrien4276]

No way.

[@The_Reviewist]

@@seanhandron-obrien4276 Yes way. Honestly. The latter half of the film meanders, and treads water, particularly that last third, to the point where I could see people round me checking their watches in the cinema. I don't wear one, but I was similarly wondering when it would end, since it seemed to be dragging itself out. Considering the end itself, you could easily trim 15-20 mins out throughout the course of the film, which wouldn't lose much of the pace, and still reach the same emotional conclusion.

[@twentywordsorlessYT]

More like '45 minutes too long'

[@007nadineL]

That's about how much I fast forwarded it. Shame on me I watched it on my phone. My bad

[@wavesinthe5112]

I had a tough time finishing it. And I enjoy movies like these but man. Idk what it was. I’ll never go back to it. But it is fun to talk about this

[@blahbibbledeebobbyma]

I hate the producer guy.

[@helloitsme7919]

Am I the only one that can't see the hype behind this film? I just found it so slow going and found myself losing interest numerous times waiting for the suspense and thrill that so many good reviews of the film described, hmm..

[@Aidan-qc7mq]

I think your idea of suspense/thrill may have been too narrow when you went into the film. It's the definition of a slow-burning piece (pun not intended but take it anyway). For me, there was a huge amount of suspense almost the whole way through - and by the time the real thrill kicked in right at the end it was even more effective because it had been building for so long. The suspense comes from the characters, not their actions. Ben immediately seems slightly off and sinister. The way he treats Hae-mi is bizarre; ie. getting her to do the dance she learned in Africa whilst he and his friends are mocking her. Not to mention the girls' belongings Jong-su finds in Ben's apartment. But at the same time, is Jong-su just jealous? Is he imagining all of it? Is Hae-mi actually just planning to run away from her life entirely? Is it all just a story that Jong-su is writing in his novel? There are so many unanswered questions that you're waiting for resolutions to. Then when you think you may finally get some... you hit that ending, which answers nothing at all and (personally) left me haunted by the ambiguity. Sorry for the essay, I just really love this film haha.

[@helloitsme7919]

@@Aidan-qc7mq wow thank you for writing that, it's nice to actually see why somebody loved the film in detail because I couldnt really find anything like that online. It's nice to see it from that perspective now and it does make sense, but as somebody who does love psychological thrillers/slow burners it just didn't really do anything to me and I was disappointed. I quite like films which don't give too much away and keep you guessing even after the film ended, but this film didn't do it in the best way for me. It was quite mismatched for me - how it was obvious that Ben did what he did yet none of it ever came into fruition, but I guess some people like that sort of stuff. It just wasn't very gripping or engaging for me. My favourite bit was probs the ending 😂 I do love Korean cinema so I guess maybe having such high expectations was what made me dislike it

[@Pheonix8877]

No, you’re not alone- and I totally get what the film is going for. I just think it’s is FAR too long winded and would’ve really benefited from a more concise run time. I don’t mind not getting direct answers, but form and structure matter.

[@amasulem]

lol

[@PicturesJester]

Ben doesn't burn barns he kills girls, and thats the ultimate life experience for him, he lacks meaning and goals in life cause he's rich since birth, and his relationship with the 2 characters is him looking for something they both have that he doesn't, a reason to live aka preoccupations, innocence and objectives they haven't reached yet. All the talk of ambiguity people have about this movie seems a bit surface level to me, an excuse to not go further into the movies themes.

[@J____L]

The ambiguity of the narrative is present throughout though. All evidence against Ben is circumstantial; never is it perfectly clear that he is murdering girls. That is what makes it such an engaging thriller and character drama. And the ambiguity fits incredibly well into the film's themes of disconnect between classes and powerlessness of the working class to the wealthy elite. I do believe that it is a sign of a great film that we can come away with different, but similar interpretations.

[@PicturesJester]

@@J____L Nah, upon a couple rewatches Lee Chang-dong clearly paints Ben as a killer. The feeling of impunity he gets from doing this is what drives the whole 3rd act, without it it makes no sense whatsoever. It compels him to invite Jong-su up to his apartment when he clearly knows he's spying on him and suspects him, and even going as far as telling Jong-su to meet him and Hae-mi, knowing it will be even clearer he killed her when Jong-su shows up and it's Ben alone. It's like he's shoving it in Jong-su's face that he can do whatever and get away with it, except he reached the limit he didn't think exist this time. It's a cathartic ending that relates to the themes of class struggle in Korea. Sure it's a mystery, Jong-su is in doubt through most of the movie, but the movie itself isn't ambiguous. The only part where ambiguity comes into play is with the phone calls, this is clearly left open to interpretation, imo it's a representation of Jong-su's subconscious belief that he still hasn't found the key to moving forward with his life and reaching "ultimate happiness" and success, and that it lies in the same things that Ben, who seems like he has it all figured out, has apparently reached in his life. Like he's waiting for some unknown guidance that hasn't come yet, a subject to write about. It's really a more abstract parallel to his restless search for a burned down greenhouse. And I'm not taking away from the movie, it's probably Lee Chang-dong's best.

[@J____L]

The ending felt like the opposite of catharsis to me. It was unclear to both viewer if (ending reveal for those who haven't seen it) Jong-su killed an innocent man or not. Whether what he did was justice or not. Most of the evidence Jong-su has is circumstantial, and there are plenty of subtle instances that show Jong-su isnt the most stable person. I think to say the film is as clear cut as Ben is definitely a serial killer is much too simple considering the presentation of the story throughout the film.

[@PicturesJester]

@@J____L I think you should watch it a couple more times, nothing I can rebutle in what you said if you don't think it's clear cut that Ben is the killer.

[@J____L]

I've seen it twice. I will see it more times after that (it was one of my favorites from last year, maybe my favorite) so I think I'll just respectfully disagree. Maybe my mind will be changed after other viewings but what the film means to me now is very satisfactory and conclusive.

[@jimjim1983]

Terribly boring movie. Way too simple story that doesn’t justify the 2,5 hour runtime.

[@bucklakelukie]

there’s so much going on under the surface it’s not only about the story

[@RyanKhanna]

The reason it's that long is because there's more going on beyond the surface level story and the pacing lets you soak it all in.

[@nicheman3612]

Wow...I mean that's just a very stupid opinion.

[@jimjim1983]

Cagerage King lol

[@KartikeyaDutta]

It's terrifying good movie