On the Beach at Night Alone
On the Beach at Night Alone

Movie spotlight

On the Beach at Night Alone

2017
Movie
101 min
Korean

In a foreign city, an actress wanders through a seaside town, reflecting on her relationship with a married man. How important is love in one’s life? Younghee wants to find out.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users67%
Director: Hong Sang-sooGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A young actress, after a tumultuous affair with a married director, flees Seoul to find solace in Hamburg, Germany. There, she wanders through the city, visits friends, and contemplates her past relationships and future. The film explores themes of love, loss, identity, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of emotional turmoil.

Critical Reception

Hong Sang-soo's 'On the Beach at Night Alone' received generally positive reviews from critics, who lauded its introspective and melancholic tone, as well as Kim Min-hee's central performance. Some found the film's narrative structure to be somewhat meandering, but many appreciated its raw emotional honesty and artistic vision.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its poignant exploration of heartbreak and existential reflection.

  • Kim Min-hee delivers a compelling and vulnerable performance.

  • The film's deliberate pacing and unconventional narrative structure may not appeal to all viewers.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's artistic merit and emotional depth, with many finding it a thought-provoking and beautifully shot piece. However, some viewers found the pacing slow and the narrative abstract, leading to a mixed but mostly positive reception.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival for Kim Min-hee's performance. Nominated for the Golden Bear.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in Hamburg, Germany, and also features scenes in various coastal locations, reflecting the protagonist's journey and emotional state.

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