Oldboy
Oldboy

Movie spotlight

Oldboy

2013
Movie
104 min
English

A man has only three and a half days and limited resources to discover why he was imprisoned in a nondescript room for 20 years without any explanation.

Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes41%
Metacritic41/100
Google Users54%
Director: Spike LeeGenres: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

Joe Doucett is a charismatic advertising executive who is abruptly and inexplicably imprisoned in solitary confinement for 15 years. Upon his release, he discovers he has been framed and is given only four days to find his captor and exact revenge on the mysterious stranger who orchestrated his nightmare. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Joe uncovers a twisted plot that connects his own past with his tormentor's.

Critical Reception

Spike Lee's remake of the acclaimed South Korean film "Oldboy" was met with significant disappointment from critics and audiences alike. While some acknowledged the film's visual style and a few performances, the majority found it to be a pale imitation of the original, lacking its emotional depth and narrative coherence. It was often criticized for its gratuitous violence and questionable creative choices.

What Reviewers Say

  • Critics found the remake to be excessively violent and lacking the emotional resonance of the original.

  • Many reviewers felt the film failed to justify its existence, offering little new or compelling compared to Park Chan-wook's 2003 masterpiece.

  • Performances were noted, but generally overshadowed by the film's perceived flaws in direction and storytelling.

Google audience: Google users were divided, with many expressing disappointment that the remake did not live up to the original's reputation. Some appreciated the attempt at a dark thriller, but a significant portion found the plot convoluted and the violence excessive.

Fun Fact

Josh Brolin reportedly gained 40 pounds for his role as Joe Doucett, specifically to embody the character's physical and emotional descent.

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