Back to Back
Back to Back

Movie spotlight

Back to Back

2021
Movie
8 min
Korean

Filmed during lockdown, Back to Back is a performance film about care centred around a phone conversation between a cleaning agency employee and a woman trying to empty a locked fridge. When the two women meet-up they engage in a strange dance through the streets of Seoul, locked together back-to-back in a movement of mutual support and dependence.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users85%
Director: Alex KuperGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A former detective, haunted by a past case, is drawn back into the criminal underworld when his estranged daughter becomes entangled with a dangerous syndicate. He must confront his demons and race against time to save her, navigating a treacherous landscape of betrayal and violence.

Critical Reception

Back to Back received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its tense atmosphere and Kuper's performance, though some found the plot predictable. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the thriller elements and emotional core.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its suspenseful pacing and gritty portrayal of urban decay.

  • Criticized for relying on familiar crime thriller tropes.

  • Kuper's central performance as the conflicted protagonist was widely lauded.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's engaging plot and the strong lead performance, often highlighting the emotional weight of the story and the effective suspense.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in several under-served urban areas, with director Alex Kuper aiming to bring a sense of authenticity to the gritty setting.

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