An emotionally intense thriller

Rating: 9/10 (9 August 2011)

This South Korean revenge story is something of a tour de force. It features a powerful central performance from Choi Min-sik, who plays a man called Oh Dae-su who is mysteriously snatched in the street and imprisoned in a sealed room for 15 years. Until he is suddenly and unexpectedly released, from here he seeks vengeance and answers. Cinematically it's very accomplished with a number of standout sequences, including an excellent extended fight scene that uses every inch of its widescreen frame in a single unbroken shot. It pulls no punches on the violence front either; there are a number of brutal scenes not for the faint of heart. So the film is both stylish and visceral. But it also has a powerful emotional core. By the end of the film after the devastating final twists, you are taken to a very dark place indeed. A very psychologically troubling place. Oldboy looks at the lows to which human beings can sink for vengeance. Although, admittedly, the villain of the piece is clearly a sociopath. His revenge on the unfortunate Oh Dae-su is, to put it mildly, over-the-top and excessive.
Aside from the above, Oldboy is a great film because it surprises you. It has a freshness and originality that ensure this. Part thriller, part psychological drama, never less than compelling. It's not exactly for the faint hearted but anyone who dips their toes in is in for a treat.