Old Boy
Old Boy

TV Show spotlight

Old Boy

2018
TV Show
Ended
1 Season
Mandarin

Old Boy revolves around Wu Zheng, a pilot with a high-flying job and enviable good looks. He is more than capable of taking responsibility for the lives of countless passengers but outside of work, he is tameless and free spirited and basically a child at heart. His son named Xiao Han turns up out of the blue followed by teacher Lin Xiao Ou who’s more than eager to help out. Needless to say,their arrival shakes up the life of a jet setter especially since Pilot and Teacher had met once before, when they were abroad, and it wasn’t pretty

Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes44%
Metacritic42/100
Google Users55%
Director: Spike LeeGenres: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A advertising executive is inexplicably kidnapped and held prisoner in solitary confinement for 15 years. Upon his mysterious release, he embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the identity of his tormentor and seek revenge, unaware that his own daughter's life is in danger.

Critical Reception

Spike Lee's American remake of the acclaimed South Korean film 'Oldboy' received a largely negative reception from critics and audiences alike. While some acknowledged the film's stylistic ambition and the performances of its cast, the overwhelming consensus was that it failed to capture the spirit and impact of the original, often criticized for its convoluted plot and excessive violence.

What Reviewers Say

  • Fails to live up to the masterful original, often feeling gratuitous and uninspired.

  • Visually stylish but ultimately hollow, lacking the emotional depth and narrative coherence of its predecessor.

  • Performances are somewhat overshadowed by a muddled and often nonsensical plot.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate disappointment with the remake, with many finding the plot confusing and the violence excessive. Some viewers felt it did not offer a fresh perspective or justify its existence as an adaptation. Positive comments were rare, with a few acknowledging the effort of the actors.

Fun Fact

Sharlto Copley, who plays the main antagonist, reportedly wore prosthetics to make his character appear older and more disheveled, a detail that contributed to the character's unsettling presence.

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