Popular reviews

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  Review by MrJago ★★★★★ 6

  This movie...

  The middle part is like the most wonderful Christmas movie about
  brotherly spirit where no brotherly spirit should exist. It's such a moving, hopeful film.

  The ending is so incredibly sad.

  Song Kang-ho is so natural, one of the most talented actors of his generation.

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  Review by demi adejuyigbe 6

  Loooooved this. Could’ve watched another hour of this middle of this movie. Honestly feel like the mystery part could’ve gone away, since it feels like it’s just there to set up an ending that’s kinda obvious? Just so sweet in a way that’s simultaneously painful because you know it can only be sweet for so long, and then it’s heartbreaking. All-timer final shot. Can’t imagine how much more this would’ve worked on me if i knew anything about the complicated relationship between North and South Korea. Luckily, it still works very well for me because I know a lot about the complicated relationship between me being a straight man and Shin Ha-kyun/Lee Byung-hun’s faces.

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  Review by David Sims ★★★★ 5

  I forgot how That 70s Show coded it was

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  Review by Jonathan White ★★★★★ 8

  After today’s historic and unprecedented meeting between North and South Korean heads of state, I couldn’t help but want to rewatch Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece JSA.

  I was at a business dinner a few years ago with group of folks from Samsung. We were providing a demonstration in their booth at a trade show, and they took us out to dinner to show their appreciation of us supporting them. It came up during the dinner that I was a fan of Korean cinema, and we chatted about many Korean films and directors. When I asked them what their favourite Korean film was, the answer was unanimous. JSA.

  I could easily tell that the issues brought up in the film were very…

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  Review by Tao A ★★★★½ 123

  I know letterboxd’s user base consists roughly 95% of zoomers who saw Parasite as their first ever foreign language film and it breaks my heart to see headlines like this nowadays but those of us in the know, know that Park Chan-wook > Bong Joon-ho. Always has been. I’ve seen all but one (Barking Dogs Never Bite) of Bong Joon-ho’s feature films and I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that not ONE of them, masterpieces that they are, made me FEEL for the characters the way that Park Chan-wook did in The Handmaiden, Oldboy, and now Joint Security Area. In terms of portrayal of friendships and brotherhood on film this is easily up there with the best of John…

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  Review by SilentDawn ★★★★½ 4

  85

  Park Chan-wook's films always capture his craft within the particular chosen story. He never overdoses on style unless it's called for, but the restraint (or lack thereof) utilized is indicative of a confident artist who knows not to mismanage his choices behind the camera. Every decision is made with intent and a clear-eyed vision. With Joint Security Area, Park Chan-wook digs into generational unrest and political tension, sharp physical barriers and emotional fault-lines, in addition to the central mystery angle, but the lingering dramatic power is sourced from relationships, those that collapse under concepts of loyalty and commonality. How friendships can be found and nurtured in professional structures, with tragedy just on the horizon. As devastating as Joint Security Area is, Park Chan-wook balances the pain of policy with short glimmers of hope and understanding. How we find meaning in our geopolitical reality.

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  Review by Chris 🦑 ★★★★★ 6

  "You still have that mine fuse I gave you? Don't lose it. Hold onto that and even bullets will pass you by."

  this is the gayest and most heartbreaking technically-not-actually-gay film i've ever seen, thanks park chan-wook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Review by san ★★★★½ 4

  Minus the first scene, the movie didn’t feel quite unique, and I was worried I stumbled into something I wouldn’t like. Everything about it initially felt average, bland, and not something you would expect from Park Chan-wook. Although, twenty minutes in, I felt the biggest relief.

  Chan-wook’s films are simply magical, and this one is no exception! The outdated poster doesn’t do it any justice at all. Like most of his films it’s filled with humor, but this time it’s more innocent and pure. As per usual, the story hits tragically hard.

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  Review by Branson Reese

  Heartbreaking. Oof.

  Park Chan-wook’s got such a big heart but doesn’t overplay it. But it’s there and it’s a part of every scene.

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  Review by Jay ★★★★ 2

  Recommended by Brendan is Afraid.

  I'm not a fan of war films. As a hardcore pacifist, I find it difficult to align myself with those who choose violence, and even just as entertainment value, I don't get much out of the big action setpieces. They either need to be smaller and more relatable or overblown enough that I can laugh at them. Personal preference!

  With all that in mind, Joint Security Area was a breath of fresh air. While heavily coloured by the dark background of conflict, it delivers a tender and gentle tale. It's a film that's ultimately about how love and friendship can tower high over everything, even war and political alignment; how we can accept and learn…

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  Review by nick ★★★½ 2

  Joint Security Area takes on the touchy topic of Korean peninsula issues in the form of an equal parts ridiculous and humane story that somehow delves deep enough into both the differences and common grounds between the South and the North. It's a highly riveting mystery-solving procedure regarding the ugly truths behind a massacre at the border base, and it's guaranteed to leave an impression whether the story hits you emotionally or not.

  In the bizarre world presented in Joint Security Area, two opposite worlds coexist along the same borderline, and guns are bound to misfire judging from the bleak tone of the movie. There are moments of comic reliefs but overall this is for sure a death-oriented experience evident…

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  Review by CinemaJoe ★★★★★ 2

  I am a shell of my former self. The measureless power of friendship, even in the face of palpable political tension. Maybe my favorite closing shot ever?

  Park Chan-wook is a treasure.