Guillermo del Toro on Bong Joon Ho's 'Memories of Murder' | Rotten Tomatoes

Guillermo del Toro shares his reverence for Bong Joon Ho's exceptional filmmaking in the renown 2003 picture, 'Memories of Murder'.
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[@Matt-dc8yq]

the ending of that movie pierced me with horror, i cant put my finger on it but it made me uncomfortable and it was masterfully executed. Love love

[@patricklouis8719]

Same feeling. But I think I know why. Maybe because we were put into the thought that the killer is still out there and the kid even talked to him! And the scariest part of this is he could just be anyone and you won't even notice coz as the kid said, he seemed so plain.

[@westcoastkidd17]

​@@patricklouis8719 When the film was released, the killer was still out there and that was Bong Joon Ho's exact intention that he wanted to convey. He wanted to make the audience feel that the killer could be anywhere and that he could be watching the film. Such brilliance.... the killer confessed in 2019 by the way

[@jking4973]

@@westcoastkidd17 the real life killer also confessed that he watched the film three times. So when the detective in the film stares directly into the lens of the camera, he was staring into the eyes of the real murderer.

[@toomessy]

This! I literally got horrible chills all over my body at that moment. Especially when my screen instantly turned black and I could see was my reflection. Like, I truly wish I could describe in better words how that scene made me feel like...because wow.

[@jamesdakrn]

​@@patricklouis8719 Yeah at the time this was one of the most famous unsolved case in Korea, basically like the way Zodiac Killer is. But the real killer had already been serving life sentence for murdering his sister-in-law in the 90's. After they found a DNA match when the Cold Cases team ran scans for residual DNA from the evidence from the crime scene that they'd kept, they found some DNA from a male. They ran it through the database of all criminals in Korea for the DNA and they found a match - then he finally confessed when they police found more DNA matches from the other unsolved cases. Just like in the movie, the incompetence of the police at the time was the big reason why the killer hadn't been caught, as they made many mistakes and didn't even have DNA tech at the time (South Korea was under a military dictatorship that was more focused on suppressing the democratization movement)

[@williamgregory1848]

As much as I loved ‘Parasite’, I’d consider ‘Memories of Murder’ to be Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece.

[@gregolson3216]

I totally agree with you. 100%.

[@omarsabih]

100%

[@farlessouza4364]

, being honest, Parasite wasnt in top 10 south korean movies. They movies are really good.

[@jaajoo1660]

​@@farlessouza4364 lol? 😂

[@ScottSterling21]

I wholeheartedly agree. Add it to the list of movies that can never be remade or replicated.

[@warlockofwordsreturnsrb4358]

Always a pleasure to get to listen to Del Toro talk about art.

[@HAL--vf6cg]

He has always had a brilliant understanding of cinema. But I wasn't expecting him to speak such good English, pleasantly surprised to learn that.

[@jediskywalker7100]

That’s why he’s a master filmmaker. He was able to break down and articulate why this movie works

[@a.pjones240]

Love this commentary. Memories of Murder is one of the greatest films ever made. 💪👍👍

[@BigTonyRockets]

It's not though is it.

[@outhereinsquamish]

@@BigTonyRocketsbut it is tho

[@andreyedward9804]

If Del Toro wasn't one of the best directors of all time he would have been an incredible movie critic

[@jsyk3]

One of the best criminal thrillers ever made

[@Grigoris_]

I was so lucky to watch this picture in a theater!

[@darrengee936]

I dont think I've seen a movie with such PERFECT pacing. unreal experience

[@venkateshpotter1685]

Ahh.. Finally its getting appreciated.. Is it 4k ready?

[@SX1995able]

It was just released on Criterion Blu ray

[@paulatreides1354]

Finally ? The movie is a classic since almost 20 years

[@donndior1536]

@@paulatreides1354 17 years lols

[@shyeon5]

more people need to see this film. i prefer this over parasite.

[@drsnowmon]

An absolute masterpiece, there's no doubt this film is Bong's best work

[@_jonkent]

yeah this film was just perfect! What a gem of cinema this film is, every part was executed perfectly. The ending as well was haunting but fantastic. So many films nowadays just wrap it all up for the audience and give us all the answers - this film does not do that and lets the audience come up with their own ideas afterwards.

[@WolfataDoor]

Real recognizing real.

[@parahiamin6765]

Do yourself a favour and watch this haunting, emotionally charged film! IMHO, it's a masterpiece of film making that will make you laugh, cry and touch the very core of your soul! I don't ever buy films but I made an exception for this film.

[@alanasda7705]

I have a complex feeling about the concept of genre. I love it but I also hate it at the same time. One of the reasons why I love the works of Guillermo del Toro and Bong Joon-ho is because they have an impulse to thrill the audience with the excitement of a genre, but they also want to betray and destroy expectations of that genre. To me, a true artist is someone who embraces genre motifs without becoming overly dependent on them. You have to break out of the cookie cutter mold and defy expectations while staying true to what makes that genre unique and special.

[@michaelnguyen3200]

MoM is the GOAT when it come to thriller. It got no match. People bring up Zodiac but it wouldn't hold a candle to MoM at closer inspection.

[@sameerhafeez7029]

Both are phenomenal

[@TheConstructiveCritic888]

Watching MoM actually made me feel like it was Fincher basically ripping off Bong’s work. I love Zodiac, but you really see how he ripped the tone, feel, and style of MoM.

[@badado]

No way..a great film but Zodiac. Is. Fully accurate unlike MOM suspense and acting and chracaters arent so cartoonish and over the top. It is a great film but to say MOM doesnt hold a candle to what many would agree. Is the greatest thriller since Seven and Silence of the lambs. Is insane! They are both masterpeices but Zodiac. Is more horrific and suspenseful although MOM last 20 minutes are great. Ntw you cant rip off Fincher who has mastered the suspense thriller genre long before Bong Joon did. He started with Seven in 1997 MOM wasnt made til 2003. So. If anything Bong Joon Hoo ripped off Fincher through and through. Stop the foreign film 🧢🧢. Smh.

[@shubhamkumarpatel7187]

Se7en is better than zodiac.

[@badado]

@@shubhamkumarpatel7187 i love em both but i agree Seven is imo the greatest serial killer suspense thriller ever made tied or surpassed only with Silence of the Lambs..then Zodiac.

[@Kaizoku-o_PirateKing]

Both this movie and del Toro's take on this are phenomenal!

[@porkman1838]

One of Bong Joon Ho's favorite non-english films is Pan's Labyrinth.

[@shorteststraw417]

I can't believe they got the guy from Death Stranding to talk about my favorite movie! Wow!!

[@jjongmayer]

The Masculinaty of characters also represents Jeon Doo Hwan, who became a president by military coup and killed thousands of people during his abnormal long term just to retain his power - he was later sentenced to death, but was pardened and lived a long life. That's why this movie hits different for Koreans, but Bong is a true genius that this film is a masterpiece also for those who are not familiar with the historical background. It has so much layers!

[@Deepu-p9p]

Memories of murder is modern classic

[@williamc9578]

Del Toro and Bong are great filmmakers, kindred spirits.

[@deborah_dee]

Such a masterpiece!

[@shermanshecapio3944]

Guillermo del Toro expressed interest in directing The Wolverine, being a fan of the Japanese saga in the "Wolverine" comics. He met with James Gianopulos and Hugh Jackman about directing, but ultimately decided he did not wish to spend two to three years of his life working on the movie.

[@toomessy]

That movie was amazing tho...so maybe that was a blessing in disguise

[@balabanasireti]

@@toomessy No

[@bennolaaa]

@@balabanasiretibesides the big robot dude it was a decent film

[@robertmarginean164]

Guillermo del Toro is probably top of the list of directors with 0 haters

[@kevinmamforte164]

My all time fave alongside with 'Mother'

[@PETBOY]

The Criterion version is the same as the French version. The color is a little blue filter. It doesn't feel as vivid Raw as the original version film.

[@o.l4890]

The beginning scene look cold in here ,the scene in the beginning/end should be different in look in the film , here it look the same

[@Dane_B_Reilly]

I agree with all the praise here. But why isnt anyone mentioning that its plays like a dark comedy

[@tanmoybhuyan8087]

Memories of murder. Greatest

[@loganriki2625]

This movie was Bong Joon Ho's magnum opus and not "Parasite".

[@sameerhafeez7029]

Agreed

[@susbedo9258]

I kept telling people the same thing, but unfortunately, not many people can watch it

[@loganriki2625]

@@susbedo9258 Well, now is the time since Halloween season is coming.

[@susbedo9258]

@@loganriki2625 what I meant was, this movie is not easily accessible or found because it is pretty old and not well known until recently. "Memories of Murder" is better than Parasite. I am really surprised that it didn't get enough media coverage in the past.

[@loganriki2625]

@@susbedo9258 Criterion Collection just released it.

[@edwardmckenzie6988]

Parasite can't carry Memories Of Murder's bags into the door. Absolutely Bong's masterpiece.

[@hameed]

Both are great. No one likes a hipster 🤫

[@jeffpesos420]

You gotta reel it in, Parasite is an amazing movie and stands on its own

[@WhirlingMusic]

Parasite isn't great. I could show some random stranger that movie and there is a high chance they wouldn't like it. I could show Se7en to someone and they'd like it.

[@seanscrew]

Waffle

[@WhirlingMusic]

@JT It's good. Not great imo

[@staysafebhai]

Does someone feel weird just as I do that we see no KZbin commentors saying that "Memories of Murder is the greatest film or one of the greatest film ever made" and we know why it is so because we can't write that too and not because of lack of admiration for the movie

[@osatoharuna]

he's so good at articulating points wtf

[@ifall457]

What a way to end a movie.

[@BrokenNoah]

Probably in my top 3 Bong Joon Ho films

[@WrangleMcDangle]

It is, in my opinion, a perfect movie.

[@laurentofcanada]

Will it come to Criterion Channel?

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

really great commentary 👍

[@NhelDgaming]

I have a question, Who's the man crawling near the factory? When the girl was running in the rain, At timestamp of 48:23 in the movie, you can see his face. Is that the killer? or the detective.

[@edumuchogusto743]

DO THE OSCAR BALLOTS, GUYS

[@mariusxmeier2417]

Great analysis

[@HoliberHernan]

Memories of murder > Parasite

[@eorms75]

waiting for criterion bluray

[@user-jx5ex1kr6l]

I think this movie showed Korean society at the time rather than a murder movie Baek kwang ho said "That person threw me on the fire." when he saw his father running at him. But His father kept saying that Baek Kwang-ho was innocent. His father is the only family member who protect Gwang ho, but in fact, he was the main culprit who made Gwang ho sick. This is the line that Bong accuses Koreans of being sick and dead in the name of protecting them by the Korean leadership at the time.. it's the same goes for scarecrows with curse words written on the paddy fields

[@Dhieen]

wow!

[@lodestar1853]

i'm so glad the killer was actually caught

[@blud0t]

Sorry, but he is not caught. No evidence to capture him and he is actually released through the tunnel.

[@lodestar1853]

@@blud0t i mean in real life

[@krishmav]

🤯

[@dankmeme682]

2:15 With how the movie plays with colors I think it's interesting to observe this scene. The female detective is dressed with pure black implying she can go just as far into the darkness as all the evils she is pursuing. While the white shirt signifies that beneath all the determination and will the motivations and goals are wholly genuine and pure. Meanwhile everybody else is dirty and bland, mixing with the background and the world. Ignorant to their affect on the justice they preside and all the while hideously arrogant in their pursuits.

[@FlickDeep]

I liked Parasite over Memories of murders instantly. But again this movie keep striking when I think about any nice, mysterious cinema. This movie is about detectives and murders on first layer. The deeper layer/s are more important.

[@esteroliveira919]

Ester errou ao longo do

[@halflife352011]

So, was the women based on a real person

[@Jaogurich]

The whole thing was based on a true horrible story that happened in South Korea.

[@zeroinifnite5730]

Memories of Murder is a pretty flawless thriller...maybe just a LITTLE too long

[@xfrtej8766]

Pan labyrinth

[@heirwreck]

No, the detective from Seoul was all ears for the female officer’s finding about the radio station and even worked with her to investigate it. This movie was not a commentary on masculinity.

[@egdapa]

Thank you. The chief too, who ordered them to pursue the lead.

[@u_u8522]

It is representative of how women were often treated back in 80-90s in Korea, especially in male-dominated fields. There is a parallel between the treatment of the female officer and the victims, I doubt it was missed by the director. May not be a direct commentary but it is there.

[@darkvoid1234567890]

The female officer was only listened to after they were fresh out of ideas and up until that point she was essentially just a tea delivery girl, and even then she still got push back from some of the officers. Pretending it wasn't a commentary on the treatment of women in Korea is completely ignoring the social context of the time period it's based in

[@thegreasystrangler5031]

wonder GDT's thoughts on THE GREASY STRANGLER masterpiece

[@jonyexteg]

no le entiendo ni verg el ingles de guillermo

[@joaquinrusk6103]

Thought he was gonna tell us who the murderer is?

[@Rectoar]

Lee Chun-jae confessed to 14 murders in 2019. Ten of them were victims of the Hwaseong murders depicted in the film.

[@Dhieen]

Id prefer to say capitalism instead of masculinity, well its almost the same, but what can you do about masculinity ? just tell people to be less masculine? But when you speak about capitalism its more clear: our economic system doesnt work

[@ryanwhitaker4444]

In essence, Capitalism is just toxic masculinity in economic form. In the same way that Strangelove examines war as an explosive manifestation of male sexuality/violence, we can easily talk about Capitalism and ape-like masculinity together (even synonymously).

[@alonealien1474]

I think it's 'toxic masculinity' rather than just 'masculinity'. Sure, Guillermo del Toro terms it as masculinity, but what he is describing is toxic masculinity. So, it's not as though anyone is being asked to not be 'masculine'. Rather to not engage in its toxic form. For what its worth, I am a social scientist. So, we have to delve into such themes quite often and I'm speaking from that viewpoint.

[@toomessy]

Thing is, we have to also remember that back then it was a different period of time for women. Some would agree that It's still the same nowadays, but it definitely was a lot worse back then. Nobody believed her, or wanted to hear about her opinions because she was a woman. Plain and simple. It's pretty obvious by how throughout the movie they treat her more as a servant, rather than a coworker. (To them, she was a woman before anything else) Now, to answer your question- was the patriarchy, misogyny, sexism and toxic masculinity involved here? Yes. Capitalism? That's arguable lol. PS: I have an Economics degree, so I'm not even saying that to be mean. It's so incredibly naive to think and believe that sexism wouldn't still happen with other systems. Discrimination isn't gonna magically eliminate itself by stopping Capitalism. That's stupid.

[@jeffpesos420]

@@alonealien1474 hmm what’s the feminine version of this toxicity?

[@siiiiiuu7]

@@jeffpesos420 hmm you're one of those... lol touch some grass bud

[@michaelsmith1262]

I like his analysis way more than the movie. The film didn't do it for me at all.

[@tootspogsforever5590]

you must not have understood it?!😀

[@ufinc]

Why does everything need to be PC these days smh??!

[@linaaviles1971]

It seems like you’ve never watched a single GDT or BJH film lol

[@angelsunemtoledocabllero5801]

These days? GDT has been making movies like that since the 90s and BJH since the 2000s and they always have been speaking like that.

[@A_LeftyCatcher_Mitt]

Nothing will make sense to your western ears ..... He is completely misinterpreted

[@JonathanElfving]

How? What are you refering to?

[@ryanwhitaker4444]

@@JonathanElfving It's wild how many people jump in here to criticize del Toro's interpretation, while providing nothing to the discussion themselves. It's hard to imagine these people even got anything from the movie.

[@A_LeftyCatcher_Mitt]

@@ryanwhitaker4444 I actually love del Toro movies and his views but for this movie he really missed a mature part i.e how do you define a criminal? Are we as society as whole encouraged criminals? How anybody can turn into criminal? Instead he only picked a single concept like masculinity yes I agree on this too every civilization has some sort prejudice against women(I'm not denying)but this movie has many high views and Commentry on mass society. Seems like you have no reference here

[@xualarenthlei3704]

The way he interpret is the way he interpret but I don’t agree with him at all

[@kh2freek]

Del Toro backs up all of his opinions with stuff from the film, so I’m interested to hear what exactly you disagree with him about

[@xingincool9672]

@@kh2freek I feel like that's life and people are like that, specially when a crime happens to woman in a man's world. And it takes the right person collectively to change it and that happens when the radio note is found by the woman officer. On my opinion that's my interpretation, and he makes sense too tbh. I also belive what linch Why do people expect art to make sense when they accepted the fact that life doesn't make sense

[@ethemyldrm7486]

sorry but this movie was not a commentary on masculinity.

[@AAYLV]

The girl had one good idea, that doesn't make her brilliant.

[@ayatollahlalalola]

"one good idea" her discovery during the investigation was literally the only thing that came even close to cracking the case, she was doing investigative work the entire movie meanwhile the other 3 detectives were wasting their time beating up people or playing aloof introvert. and the fact that the film's narrative focuses on this aspect of the story is what Del Toro is pointing out.

[@AAYLV]

@@ayatollahlalalola no, she had that one good idea, the movie clearly did't had the intension to show her as thr brilliant, but unapreciated charchter. Point!

[@ryanwhitaker4444]

@@AAYLV Watch the movie again. The film specifically draws attention to how much work the female detective does. The film itself brushes her off to the side, but her contribution to the case is massive. It's obviously intentional, and analogous to how professional women are treated in real life. The fact that you didn't notice this theme says more about you than it does about the movie.

[@AAYLV]

@@ryanwhitaker4444 so, my point is these detectives treat each other in various situations with not much respect or not listening taking care of the others words, the fact that she is a woman makes only a little part of it that she get ignored. Maybe you are projecting something on her, cause she is a woman. Also my original point was, that she is not or presented as BRILLIANT. Anyway I will look out for that next time I watch it, maybe you have some points, she is clearly not brilliant though, thats a modern feministic (actualy anti equaly) projection.

[@AAYLV]

So yeah of course I saw that she is treaded unfairly, also because she is a woman. But brilliant is she not. Thats my point.

[@Vukf1]

Literally worse movie i ever watched. Dude died because he fall asleep and got hit by train. I should have just turned off this shitshow right there. 3 detectives are 3 idiots who beat the suspect while cant even figure out that the scar dude was a witness to a murder that even my blind grandma would know. Disaster of a movie. Only good thing about it is ending song which is beautifull...

[@aaronton2703]

This movie just show how incompetent police are in rural places and that it makes interesting. Anyways film tried to show incompetence of South korean government at that time. Police is allegory to a bad government during 80'sin South Korea

[@tootspogsforever5590]

yoi have high expectations and that's good. you should have been a director!! .................. ................ ................ ................ I D I O T!!!😀

[@militantatheist8763]

The F is wrong with you. The cops are idiots...they represent 1980's South Korean police. Bong Jong Hoo is a master at capturing stupidity and disaster nature of humans in general.

[@toomessy]

You're wrong.

[@whysoserious652]

Entire point of this movie went over your head.🤣🤣🤣

[@AlanTheOlive]

love this film

[@AyanTheAlien]

He's right about many things here, except for that female cop who showed her investigative notions only once & not over & over & over like Del toro said

[@bharatbhushanbhandari9855]

Greatest serial killer thriller ever