Tag Archives: Thriller

The Piano Teacher (2001) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Can she really play him like piano?

Posted on June 22, 2026 by kaist455

Michael Hanake’s 2001 film “The Piano Teacher”, which was released in South Korean theaters in last week, is a truly disturbing observation of one very, very, very twisted lady. While we never really fully understand her even at the very … Continue reading →

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Disclosure Day (2026) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Familiar but masterful nonetheless

Posted on June 11, 2026 by kaist455

Steven Spielberg’s new film “Disclosure Day” feels like watching a maestro handling his familiar repertoires with expected but undeniably impressive deftness. While it does not have the unadulterated awe of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) or the sheer … Continue reading →

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Commission (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Drawing for murder

Posted on May 12, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Commission” wants to explore the dark sides of artistic creation, and it succeeds to some degree. I must say that I have no idea on how realistic it actually is in the depiction of the professional … Continue reading →

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The Nonsense (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): Can she believe?

Posted on May 12, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “The Nonsense” is a little but effective mix between character drama and psychological thriller which will often unnerve you with its disturbingly ambiguous moments. Even in the end, you may not be entirely sure about everything … Continue reading →

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Abroad (2023) ☆1/2(1.5/4): The vanishing in the middle of nowhere

Posted on May 10, 2026 by kaist455

2023 film “Abroad”, which was released in South Korean theaters in last year without getting noticed much by me and other local audiences, is one of the most disappointing genre exercises I have ever watched during last several years. At … Continue reading →

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Murder Report (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): A dangerous exclusive interview

Posted on May 6, 2026 by kaist455

South Korean film “Murder Report” is a taut and efficient thriller about one female journalist having an exclusive interview with a serial killer. Now you will instantly get a pretty good idea about what you will get, and the movie … Continue reading →

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Caught Stealing (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): He’s in a trouble way over his head…

Posted on May 4, 2026 by kaist455

Darren Aronofsky’s 2025 film “Caught Stealing”, which is currently available on Netflix in South Korea, is a cheerfully absurd and intense comic noir thriller. As its flawed hero desperately struggling to survive under a situation way over his head, the … Continue reading →

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Apex (2026) ☆☆☆(3/4): A standard survival thriller driven by Charlize Theron

Posted on April 27, 2026 by kaist455

Charlize Theron is one of the most singular star actresses working in Hollywood. After she earned her own spot around the top of Hollywood with her great Oscar-winning performance in Patty Jenkins’ “Monster” (2003), she steadily and boldly rolled her … Continue reading →

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Crime 101 (2026) ☆☆☆(3/4): Heist 101

Posted on April 12, 2026 by kaist455

“Crime 101” attempts to bring some personality and substance to its familiar crime thriller plot. Although the overall result does not surpass its countless seniors such as, yes, Michael Mann’s “Heat” (1995), the movie has a number of solid individual … Continue reading →

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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A subpar remake with some interesting variations

Posted on March 30, 2026 by kaist455

“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”, which is the remake of the 1992 film of the same name and currently available on Disney+ in South Korea, tries some interesting variations, but the result is uneven and superficial on the whole. … Continue reading →

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