Decision to Leave (2022)

Decision to Leave is a slow-burning, stylish crime drama and mystery about a meticulous detective whose professional investigation becomes dangerously entangled with his personal desires. When a man is found dead after a fall in the mountains, Detective Hae-joon is assigned to the case. His questioning leads him to the dead man’s enigmatic wife, Seo-rae, and as he follows the procedural threads of the investigation he finds himself increasingly obsessed with her — uncertain whether she is grieving widow, calculating suspect, or something in between. Watching this film is an immersive experience: expect precise, atmospheric cinematography, carefully composed shots, and a steady, deliberate pacing that builds tension rather than relying on jump scares. The story blends elements of classic noir and romantic melodrama, offering both a clever whodunit and a study of desire, guilt, and moral ambiguity. Viewers will be drawn into the detectives’ internal conflicts, the charged chemistry between the leads, and a narrative that keeps you guessing about truth and motive until the end. If you appreciate elegant direction, psychological complexity, and visual storytelling that rewards close attention, this film delivers a haunting, emotionally resonant ride.

Actors: Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung-hyun

Director: Park Chan-wook

Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery

85 /100 7.3 /10 7.9 /10