Decision to Leave
Decision to Leave

Decision to Leave

2022Movie139 minKorean

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic84/100
Google Users89%
Director: Park Chan-wookGenres: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

A detective investigating the death of a man who fell from a mountain becomes increasingly entangled with the victim's enigmatic widow. As his suspicion grows, so does his fascination with her, blurring the lines between his professional duty and his personal feelings. The film follows their complex and ambiguous relationship as the investigation unfolds, leading to a series of unexpected revelations and emotional twists.

Critical Reception

Decision to Leave received widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its masterful direction, sophisticated storytelling, and compelling performances. Critics praised Park Chan-wook's stylistic flair and ability to blend genres seamlessly, creating a tension-filled and emotionally resonant narrative. The film was particularly celebrated for its ambiguous romance and intricate mystery, earning it numerous accolades and establishing it as a standout in contemporary cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • A stylish and absorbing neo-noir mystery with a captivating central performance.
  • Park Chan-wook delivers a masterclass in tension, atmosphere, and complex character dynamics.
  • Praised for its intricate plot, sensual atmosphere, and exploration of obsessive love.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a visually stunning and suspenseful mystery with a compelling central romance. Many praised the intricate plot and the performances of the lead actors, though some found the ambiguous ending thought-provoking.

Awards & Accolades

Won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival (2022). Nominated for numerous awards including Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards (shortlisted).

Fun Fact

Director Park Chan-wook stated that he was inspired by the classic Hollywood film 'Vertigo' by Alfred Hitchcock, particularly in its exploration of obsession and unreliable narrators.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
pimpskitters

pimpskitters

Decision to leave looks great. The way the camera moves, the layout of the scenes and the staging of it all, great. But, its a bit plodding, and I didn't quite understand the character motivations. I partly wonder if im at a loss of underst...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

When a man is found at the base of a mountain with his skull crushed, it looks like he slipped, or did he commit suicide, or was he pushed? Well it falls to detectives "Jang Hae-joon" (Park Hae-il) and his young sidekick "Soo-wan" (Go Kyung...
Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

MORE SPOILER-FREE MINI-REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/other-films-watched-lff-2022 "Decision to Leave is far from Park Chan-wook's best works, but it's still an intriguing, layered story about obsession and "forbidden...
badelf

badelf

Based on the pacing and acting, this should be a top-tier movie, but I found it difficult to watch because of the cruddy subtitles I had.