Oldboy

Name: Oldboy
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: March 25, 2005
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Hye-jeong Kang, Ji-tae Yu, Min-sik Choi

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 555 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 555 Ratings

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Oldboy

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Movie Details & Credits

Tartan | Release Date: March 25, 2005 | R

Starring: Hye-jeong Kang, Ji-tae Yu, Min-sik Choi

Summary: Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is an ordinary Seoul businessman with a wife and little daughter who, after a drunken night on the town, is locked up in a strange, private "prison." No one will tell him why he's there or who his jailer is. The imprisonment last for 15 years until one day when Dae-su finds himself unexpectedly deposited on aOh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) is an ordinary Seoul businessman with a wife and little daughter who, after a drunken night on the town, is locked up in a strange, private "prison." No one will tell him why he's there or who his jailer is. The imprisonment last for 15 years until one day when Dae-su finds himself unexpectedly deposited on a grass-covered high-rise roof, determined to discover the mysterious enemy who had him locked up. (Tartan Films)… Expand

Director: Chan-wook Park

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Michael Wilmington

It's a movie of such jaw-dropping violence, wild improbability and dazzling style it overpowers all resistance. Read full review

100

M. E. Russell

Startling and amazing -- a cinematic hammer to the skull. Read full review

Dallas Observer Luke Y. Thompson

It's a work of art for sure, but a sadistic one. Oldboy is one of the year's best; it just isn't for everyone. If you're still interested, go for it. Read full review

Desson Thomson

You will surely leave this movie shocked, shaken and surprisingly moved. And definitely stuck on that poor octopus. Read full review

David Sterritt

As mysterious as it is sinister. Read full review

Carina Chocano

It says something when you come out of a film as weird and fantastical as Oldboy and feel that you've experienced something truly authentic. I just don't know what. I can't think of anything to compare it to. Read full review

Put simply, in my humble opinion, Oldboy sucks. Read full review

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User Reviews

EmmzDigzMoviez

Sep 23, 2011

Masterpiece. Critics who gave this movie negative reviews probably didn't understand it or it's simply not their taste. The violence may also be a bit too raw for some. But if you're a true movie fan, within 1 hour into this movie you'll realize that you're watching a true work of cinemaMasterpiece. Critics who gave this movie negative reviews probably didn't understand it or it's simply not their taste. The violence may also be a bit too raw for some. But if you're a true movie fan, within 1 hour into this movie you'll realize that you're watching a true work of cinema art. From the intriguing storyline, raw character portrayal and excellent direction to the explosive twist ending, filled with underlying messages and morals, this is one movie you will never forget. You might even learn a thing or two about revenge.… Expand

9 of 13 users found this helpful94

jackkenichis

Jan 24, 2011

A personal favourite and one of the best films from asian cinema. The plot centres around the story of Oh Dae-Su, who has been locked up in a room for 15 years. His lack of knowledge about his captors or the motives behind his imprisonment so drives him into insanity, with TV being his â

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

DougK

Aug 28, 2005

Great film, one of the greatest existential dramas in memory. BTW, when 40-year-old-virgin is given similar rating as Oldboy, one can easily voice a volume of criticism of the critics (and perhaps the mysterious rating system of this web site). Is it possible that the last trace of Great film, one of the greatest existential dramas in memory. BTW, when 40-year-old-virgin is given similar rating as Oldboy, one can easily voice a volume of criticism of the critics (and perhaps the mysterious rating system of this web site). Is it possible that the last trace of intelligent thinking for the betterment of cinema are readily abandoned under the overwhelming Hollywood assault of sophomoric titles after titles ?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

UncleEarl

Dec 1, 2013

It can't be missed. This is one of those films that grab your heart by the aorta and shake it around violently until you have to take a deep breath and recover from the trauma. You don't need to read a review of this movie, you need to watch it tout suite.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Zal

Feb 27, 2013

Thrilling, violent, and unpredictable, Oldboy was a joy to watch. There was never a dull moment. The acting was fantastic and the violence was engaging. Be warned: this movie is not for the faint at heart.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

horcrux2007

May 9, 2015

All I can say is wow. If you like revenge movies, Oldboy is one of the most complex and visceral ones I've ever seen. Not complex in that it's hard to follow; it's very dense and has a lot of layers to the story. It's on Netflix if you're interested.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jackie

Aug 17, 2007

Absolutely fucking horrific. Good people are tortured in unbelievably vile ways for having done nothing at all; everyone in the film is pointlessly disturbed and it leaves one with absolutely no satisfaction at the end. I didn't feel that justice had been done, which is the point for Absolutely fucking horrific. Good people are tortured in unbelievably vile ways for having done nothing at all; everyone in the film is pointlessly disturbed and it leaves one with absolutely no satisfaction at the end. I didn't feel that justice had been done, which is the point for me of films like this, I just felt like I'd seen some cool fighting and needless suffering. Watch this if you want to destroy your faith in humanity, watch the far superior Lady Vengeance to have it restored.… Expand

0 of 8 users found this helpful

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55	#55 Best Movie of 2005
32	#32 Most Discussed Movie of 2005
13	#13 Most Shared Movie of 2005