By Ben Wright (@iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
With elements of Oldboy and Barry, Kill Boksoon is a gripping crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This South Korean film, directed by talented filmmaker Byun Sung-hyun, delivers tense and emotive storytelling, with slick action and a seasoning of black comedy.
The plot is well constructed, filled with suspenseful twists, and brutal drama but also some very darkly comedic moments that all seem to blend well together to create a unique movie. There is an influence of Sherlock, in some respects, regarding how some scenes are played out in the mind, which really helps keep the audience guessing about the outcome of the different scenarios.
Furthermore, the film’s pacing is perfectly balanced. The tension builds gradually, allowing the audience to become emotionally invested in the characters and their journey. The well-crafted screenplay keeps you engaged and invested, never veering into predictable territory. Each scene serves a purpose, propelling the narrative forward and adding another layer of intrigue.
What sets Kill Boksoon apart is the exceptional character development of its lead character. Bok-soon, portrayed by the phenomenal Jeon Do-yeon, is a complex and deeply flawed human protagonist – at least when it comes to being a parent! Her conflict and determination are palpable, drawing you into her world of a highly skilled assassin and struggling mother. The contradictions between how she functions as a master killing machine and how she struggles to understand and manage her daughter made for an interesting approach to the narrative to take.
As for the supporting cast, Sol Kyung-gu (Cha Min-kyu), Koo Kyo-hwan (Han Hee-seong), Lee Yeon (Kim Yeong-ji) and Esom (Cha Min-hee) all bring a plethora of depth and nuance to their respective roles, which really helps fill out the film with great characters and performances.
The cinematography in Kill Boksoon is slick and exciting, with some truly wonderfully executed fight sequences which heighten the tension and create an immersive experience for the viewer. While not quite John Wick levels of fluency, there were some fantastic moments, enhanced further by the great camera work and editing. Some of the practical effects in the film are truly brutal, and there was one instance where I was genuinely shocked at how they achieved such a realistic effect. I still don’t know how they pulled it off!
Kill Boksoon is a masterfully crafted black-comedy crime thriller that will captivate and thrill audiences. With its gripping storyline, outstanding performances, stunning action, and profound thematic depth, it stands out as one of the finest examples of the genre.
X-Geeks 