Oldboy (2003) is a South Koreanaction-thriller film adaptation of a Japanese manga of the same name. Directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook, this R-rated film stars Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, and Kang Hye-jeong. As of this review, the film is available on Netflix with additional options for purchase on other streaming platforms.
Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is on a path of vengeance after 15 years of imprisonment. In those agonizing years, he honed his body and reflected on all who would want to imprison him. Now freed, Oh Dae-su begins his path of destruction. But when he meets Mi-do (Kang Hye-jeong), he finds an indescribable bond that might expose a new vulnerability.
What I Like about Oldboy
Oldboy would win 40 awards and 28 nominations from various organizations and film festivals. It would frankly dominate the conversation to list them out. However, I think itās important to note it earned a nomination this year (2024), being but one example of how it has continued to earn nominations and awards since its release. These nominations and awards will likely grow in the future.
This film provides several iconic scenes, such as the famous corridor fight, influencing popular culture beyond those who know Oldboy.
Beyond these iconic parts is a plot that has viewers invested and traumatized by its end, providing a continuously bitter experience with moments of relief. Itās a dark film but executed with beautiful cinematography and a haunting script.
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While all the performances are exceptional, Choi Min-sikās Oh Dae-su truly steals the show. From pure rage to breaking down at the touch of another human being, Choi Min-sik makes this flawed character alive.
Sparring against this performance is the next-level pettiness of Yoo Ji-taeās Woo-jin Lee. Despite his limited appearance and often over-the-top villainy, Yoo Ji-tae evokes a character driven by a hate viewers want to understand.Ā
While not always horrifying, Oldboy contains a dark story with only the occasional joke or dark comedic moment to ease the story down. Despite what the iconic corridor fight might suggest, Oldboy rarely indulges in the catharsis of vengeance.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Sexual assault, incest, and abuse are certainly factors to consider if thinking about watching Oldboy. Unfortunately, Kang Hye-jeong’s Mi-do often becomes the target of these abuses. If these are triggers, Oldboy might earn a skip.
Mi-do does seem to be a manic pixie dream girl; however, that isnāt entirely the case. Itās hard to go into detail, but what might seem like lazy writing has some level of thought and intention behind it. Despite this context, Mi-doās character still lacks agency and gets relegated to the love interest of the film.Ā
There is a moment of animal cruelty where a character eats a real octopus in a purposely brutal scene. Octopuses are notably intelligent creatures, so itās a hard point to defend. It is an actual dish, but itās more than worth mentioning.
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There are a few specific moments of body horror, but nothing too damning. Loosely related, there is blood and gore. However, if one canāt expect that from an R-rated action-thriller, where can one expect it?
What I Dislike about Oldboy
Frankly, most of the above points are where I take issue with the film, specifically the sexual assault content and animal cruelty. The overt sexual assault on Mi-do feels particularly irritating because Kang Hye-jeongās performance remains strong despite the limits of her role.
I donāt note many plot holes, but plot contrivances require a suspension of disbelief. This film isnāt exactly a detective tale focused on the mystery. If one comes in expecting that, theyāll likely leave disappointed. Instead, Oldboy is a vengeance and thriller film.
This film led to an American remake directed by Spike Lee. The American remake did not earn the originalās lasting power or acclaim.
Final Thoughts
Oldboy continues to earn recognition because of exceptional cinematography, a strong story, and great directorial vision. It is not for everyone, often indulging in the shock of its story to exploit events for all its worth. For those who can look past these points, Oldboy is a classic for a reason. (4.5 / 5)
Zeth received his M.A in English with a focus in Creative Writing at CSU, Chico. As a human writer, he published in the 9th volume of Multicultural Echoes, served on the editorial board of Watershed Review, and is a horror reviewer for Haunted MTL. All agree he is a real-life human and not an octopus in human skin.
Fascinated by horror novels and their movie adaptations, Zeth channels his bone-riddled arms in their study. Games are also a tasty treat, but he only has the two human limbs to write. If you enjoy his writing, check out his website.
Released in 2023, Late Night with the Devil is a found-footage movie about a late-night host who’d do anything to have the top-rated show.
Donāt worry, itās not about Jay Leno.
The story
Our story begins, as many found footage films do, with a quick explanation. What we are going to see is the surviving footage from the last episode of a late-night show, along with some never-before-seen footage of backstage during the fateful night everything went wrong.
We then meet Jack Delroy. He’s a late-night host of the show Night Owls. And a year after the death of his beloved wife, he worries that his show is going to be canceled. The ratings are freefalling. So, on Halloween, he invites a girl named Lilly on the show who claims to be possessed.
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Because that’s going to go well.
The show begins with a monolog, like most late-night shows. We then meet the first two guests, a claimed psychic named Christou and a stage magician slash skeptic named Carmichael Haig. After hot-reading the audience, Christou appears to have a real psychic vision. One that involves Jack’s deceased wife. He then proceeds to vomit black sludge all over the stage.
You’d think that would be the end of things. It would be stupid to still bring on the possessed girl after a warning like that.
But, of course, the show must go on.
What worked
Late Night with The Devil dedicated itself to the found footage vibe. As such, it felt very much like you were watching something from the 70s. The whole movie is at a lower, grainy resolution, unlike some other horror films that eventually and subtly switch out for a more modern and clear picture. The clothes, the music, the cheap and cheesy costumes. It all reminds one of a good episode of the Brady Bunch or Bewitched. Even when someone’s puking black blood or has worms pouring out of their freshly opened gut.
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I was also quite impressed by the acting in this film. Especially that of David Dastmalchian, who played Jack Delroy. This role was performed to perfection. Jack manages to come off as a kind, compassionate man. The sort of person youād be comfortable talking to, even about the most horrible moments of your life. You get the feeling that you could tell him about the worst moments of your life and heād thank you for sharing.
This kind facade never slips. But we also see his true motivations. He doesnāt care about anyone, no matter how kind he acts. The show must go on is his entire drive and mission. He didnāt let a little thing like a guest dying stop him. Or a mental breakdown on stage. Or even his dead wife calling to him from beyond the grave.
The show must go on. And on, and on.
Even Dastmalchian is outshined, however, by Ingrid Torelli who played Lilly.
Lilly was a creepy character from the first time we saw her. There is something so unnerving about a child who knows far more than they should. This is a hallmark of demon possession films, all the way back to Reagan. But there’s also something else about the way she behaves that has little to do with the possession. She is always looking to either June or Jack for direction. As much as she speaks to the adults like she knows one, she is still always looking to please the adults around her. She is eager to look at the right camera at the right moment. She is eager to be obedient. It’s hidden, but for someone who has seen enough cult content, it’s easy to spot. She played a former cult victim very well. And that was perhaps the most terrifying part of that character.
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What didnāt work
This was almost a perfect movie. Then, like so many others, it just couldn’t stick the landing.
Near the end of the film, there is a strange scene that doesn’t seem to mesh with the rest of it. It appears to be a collection of Jack’s memories. Whether they are true memories or not is left to our interpretation. But they explain the entire reveal of the whole movie. In dull, excruciating detail.
This series of scenes was insulting. It was the equivalent of asking someone if they got the joke. But are you sure you got it? Wait, let me explain it and really just kill the effect altogether.
We were already laughing. Or, to step away from this metaphor, we were already creeped out. We were already grossed out. We were already living in the scene, sitting in the audience right next to the lady who lost her son or the man dressed as a skeleton. Rather than explain the twist, which didn’t need explaining, this scene pulls us rudely out of that audience and deposits us back in the real world.
All that being said, Late Night with The Devil is still a terrific horror film. It was dark, it was gorey, and it left us with unsettling questions even after the ill-planned info dump. If it isn’t already on your Halloween watch list, it certainly deserves a spot.
āB is for Brainā is an episode of the supernatural drama Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, itās available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate new brain mapping research that might expose others to God and Hell. Kristen (Katja Herbers) struggles with aggression as Andy (Patrick Brammall) returns from his expedition. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) struggles with what he sees while in the brain mapping process. David (Mike Colter) returns to the basics to find God.
What I Like about āB is for Brainā
āB is for Brainā provides a unique opportunity for viewers to gain more insight into Ben’s past. While not his episode, as āB is for Brainā balances the leads nearly perfectly, he has his most emotional moment in the series so far. Despite the lower stakes, it provides a more vulnerable moment than āE is for Elevator.ā
Leland (Michael Emerson) and Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) meet again on more equal terms and establish their hostile relationship. Sister Andrea proves herself to be a woman who doesnāt back down when a Satanist tries to intimidate her. It also raises the necessity of Davidās training, creating a more tangible threat.
Kristenās deteriorating relationship with Andy reaches a boiling point as her impulsiveness and hostility reach new heights. It seems her sabbatical to the monastery might have increased the evil influences. āB is for Brainā builds upon what āS is for Silenceā introduces and creates an interesting interpretation of the last episodeās events.
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āB is for Brainā brings a new dynamic to its horror by focusing on how technology, science, and religion intersect. Thereās an incredibly diabolical conversation on how this technology could induce fear to empower religion. This idea evokes a more subtle horror than most episodes.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
There is a potential nay-theist trope. By that, I mean thereās a single line where one can interpret an atheist character turned from God because God turned from them. Itās a single line that remains interpretable, but itās worth mentioning.
Thereās a moment of self-harm with clear implications that this is a pattern with the specific character. This harm has some implication of demonic influence, but this remains unconfirmed at the moment. I will mention this becomes more obvious as the season continues.
What I Dislike about āB is for Brainā
Unfortunately, such a big reveal for Benās character doesnāt have time to get fully explored in āB is for Brain.ā While the focus between the three is great, a few big reveals only earn a light address. Itās less that Ben doesnāt get a fair amount of attention and more that these subjects donāt receive that attention.
A similar point remains relevant about the claim of using brain mapping as a way of evoking religious conversion. That point merits interrogation from the characters and the plot, but itās only lightly touched on. Further expanding these points is that thereās only light reference in the future specifically about brain mapping.
Final Thoughts
āB is for Brainā gets placed into two memorable episodes, diminishing its lasting power. While not a fault of the episode, it does overlook some potentially big reveals. Some of the more relevant character moments will receive the attention they deserve in later episodes, but it doesnāt aid āB is for Brainā in execution. While a strong and enjoyable episode, diving into those moments might have created an episode that haunts the viewer. (3 / 5)
āS is for Silenceā is an episode of the supernatural dramaEvil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, itās available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate two miracles of a potential saint in a secluded monastery. David (Mike Colter) struggles to commune with God. Kristen (Katja Herbers) endures the sexism of the monastery. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) finds himself out of his element.
What I Like about āS is for Silenceā
As the name implies, this is a largely silent episode with only a few breaks of audible discussion. This decision forces the actors to convey emotions with their expressions and allows the cinematography to experiment. Evil brings its A-game to create one of the most unique episodes in āS is for Silence.ā
Diving further into the creative decisions, āS is for Silenceā plays around with internal monologue, maintaining the silence through visuals or subtitles. Itās one of those moments of commitment worth appreciating because it adds to the finality of that silence.Ā
Alexandra Sochaās Sister Fenna plays a key role in the plot, delivering an amazing performance to a character with no lines. As the character only speaks Dutch, it provides an additional barrier that the team, specifically Kristen, must navigate to communicate with her. Itās a demanding role for a character who only appears in this episode.
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A particular scare seems to utilize stop motion or imitate stop motion with its special effects. Regardless, something is jarring about the sudden movements that unnerve a viewer when done right. āS is for Silenceā does this right.
āS is for Silenceā dives harder than previous episodes in the supernatural elements, taking us into a monastery with a demonic item in its possession. It also returns to the dark comedic tone “C is for Cop” didnāt linger in. The combination of creative decisions, overwhelming silence, and acting makes this a haunting and unique episode of Evil.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
The monastery segregates between sexes, clearly displaying a disparity between the nuns and priests in great favor to the priests. Itās depicted as sexism and misogyny, lacking only a confrontation to solidify any particular perspective.
Body horror and insects play a large role in the plot. I wouldnāt say the body horror is overt, but the insects certainly have a more dominant influence.
What I Dislike about āS is for Silenceā
Thereās this strange moment between Kristen and Sister Fenna, which lacks clarity. Itās almost depicting a romantic moment or some attraction when the relationship seems more mother/daughter. A later episode will confirm this mother/daughter dynamic in a small reference. Perhaps something is cut from the released episode, but it strikes me as odd. Another addition to the above point is when the nun undresses, creating a voyeuristic aesthetic that seems misfitting.
Despite ruling out one miracle, an entirely different miracle remains uncontested. I wonāt go into detail to avoid spoilers, but the main goal is to assess the miracles. Regardless of the initial reason for investigating, I assume the assessors’ need to refute that miracle or investigate another potential miracle regardless.
Final Thoughts
āS is for Silenceā is a haunting episode of Evil, channeling what makes Evil so effective as a supernatural drama. It utilizes its dark comedic tone but never undermines its horrific or unsettling moments. This episode truly stands out and still lingers in my mind as the series nears its end. (5 / 5)
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