Part of the Korean Film Festival DC 2017.
A paranoid thriller with a high-tech edge, Park Kwang-hyun’s (Welcome to Dongmakgul) latest film pits a team of skilled video gamers against a mysterious underworld organization in a battle that rages through both the physical and digital worlds. When Kwon Yu (Ji Chang-wook), a former tae kwon do star turned video game addict, is framed for murder, his gamer friends come to his aid and in the process uncover a vast, murderous conspiracy. This nonstop thrill ride of a movie mixes jaw-dropping action scenes with pointed commentary about socioeconomic inequality in today’s Korea. Justin Lowe of the Hollywood Reporter calls it “an updated version of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy set in the world of online video games . . . Featuring a fast-paced plot and a snappy visual style, Park’s absorbing third feature should appeal equally to high-tech enthusiasts and action film fans.” (Dir.: Park Kwang-hyun, Korea, 2017, 126 min., DCP, Korean with English subtitles)