Thirst (2009)

Thirst (Bakjwi) is a dark, stylish blend of drama, fantasy and horror about a devout priest whose faith is violently upended. Sang-hyun, a selfless clergyman who volunteers for an experimental vaccine trial, contracts a deadly virus and is resurrected after a transfusion of vampire blood. The miracle recovery comes at a terrible cost: he is consumed by an insatiable thirst for blood and a new hunger for carnal pleasure, forcing him to confront the sins and desires he once renounced. When he reconnects with Tae-ju, an abused young woman trapped in a toxic marriage, the pair forge a dangerous, erotic bond and conspire to break free from their moral prisons. Their liaison escalates into violence, vampiric transformation and morally fraught choices that test love, guilt and the nature of salvation. Watching Thirst, you’ll experience a tense, emotionally charged ride—erotic and unsettling, punctuated by moments of dark humor, shocking gore and haunting visuals. The film juxtaposes spiritual anguish with raw physical desire, offering a provocative meditation on faith, temptation and the human capacity to rationalize violence. It's mournful and transgressive, designed to disturb as much as it mesmerizes.

Actors: Kang-ho Song, Kim Ok-bin, Hee-jin Choi

Director: Park Chan-Wook

Runtime: 134 min

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror

6.2 /10 73 /100 7.1 /10 6.9 /10