Oldboy (2003)

Oldboy (2003) is a brutal, stylish revenge thriller that follows Oh Dae-su, an ordinary man who is mysteriously abducted and held in a small, windowless cell for fifteen years. When he is suddenly released with only a phone, money and a few clues, Dae-su has five days to uncover who imprisoned him and why. What begins as a desperate quest for answers quickly spirals into a tightly wound, morally complex game of cat-and-mouse. Watching Oldboy is an intense experience: the film moves between slow-burning psychological torment and sudden, visceral violence. Director Park Chan-wook blends moody, art-house visuals with raw, kinetic action (including a famously relentless corridor fight) and dark, occasionally bleak humor. The performances are raw and committed, and the narrative builds toward a series of shocking revelations that force the viewer to confront themes of memory, guilt, punishment and the costs of vengeance. Expect a tense, emotionally wrenching ride—beautifully shot yet frequently disturbing. The movie raises unsettling moral questions rather than offering tidy answers, and its atmosphere lingers long after the credits. Content warnings: strong violence, torture, disturbing sexual themes and psychological torment. Recommended for viewers who appreciate intense thrillers, arthouse filmmaking, and stories that trade comfort for powerful, often unsettling catharsis. (Note: the film contains major plot twists best experienced fresh if you prefer to avoid spoilers.)

Actors: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-Tae, Kang Hye-jeong

Director: Park Chan-Wook

Runtime: 120 min

Genres: Action, Drama, Mystery

7.8 /10 78 /100 8.3 /10 8.0 /10