All 11 Park Chan-wook Motion pictures, Ranked From Finest to Finest

Park Chan-wook is likely one of the most prolific filmmakers of his technology, and whereas it's troublesome to categorise his fascinating and numerous vary of movies, there are a number of tasks that stand out as his greatest. As a director and author, Park's work is distinctive, as violence, blood, and tragic romance are acquainted components of his filmography. Well-known for Revenge Trilogyparticularly the second installment, OldboyPark has made a reputation for himself throughout the thriller style, however that's removed from the one area of interest of cinema by which he excels.

Each period of his work has introduced thrilling new visible and thematic nuances to his model, leaving audiences and critics excited to see what he has in retailer for the following section of his profession. The director just lately engaged filming on his upcoming movie, No different alternativewith Lee Byung-Hun, recognized for his starring function in squid recreation (by way of Deadline). He's recognized for making psychological thriller movies that mess with audiences' minds, utilizing experimental buildings and varieties to create an intricate portrait of his characters.

11

The moon is... the solar's dream (1992)

Park's first function movie doesn't recommend the illustrious profession the director would have

The moon is... the solar's dream was Park's directorial debut, And the director has been vocal about how a lot he needs to distance himself from the challenge. Happily, it didn't take lengthy for Park's needs to return true, because the director is barely related to this vital and industrial failure. Regardless of being a criminal offense drama and that includes components of forbidden love, two narratives that Park would later discover, The moon is... the solar's dream It's nothing like park audiences realize it in the present day.

Whereas the movie itself shouldn't be memorable or of the best high quality, there may be nonetheless a constructive lesson to be realized from the movie. Park developed as a director and realized loads from this misstep, happening to turn into an acclaimed filmmaker with an unparalleled profession. It proves that the highway to changing into an auteur of Park's caliber is lengthy and troublesome, and making some lower than good movies alongside the way in which is to be anticipated.

10

Trio (1997)

Park's second function movie is one other movie that's extra forgotten

As The moon is... the solar's dreamLike this, Trio is an nearly utterly forgotten addition to Park's oeuvre, And the director most likely wouldn't declare any movie as a major a part of his filmography. Trio is his second function and takes a step in the precise route after his failed first movie. It contains themes of revenge and despair, which play an vital function within the characters' actions. Lee Geung-Younger, Jeong Seon-Kyeong and Kim Min-Jong lead the movie because the titular trio who come collectively to determine to rob a band to unravel their issues.

Whereas this premise might simply work and be elevated by a director like Park, Trio It lacks the grace and fringe of the movies Park is understood for. Whereas Park later pushed the boundaries and have become recognized for intense strains of graphic on-screen violence, Trio avoids this model, choosing a extra industrial method for motion. Whereas it's a strong movie, it pales compared to something Park has executed since.

9

I'm a cyborg, however that's okay (2006)

This uncommon romantic comedy is not like anything the park has directed

Considering of a romantic comedy as a style that might attraction to Park creates some cognitive dissonance. Nonetheless, I'm a cyborg, however that's okay is a deeply tender and empathetic look of an surprising connection This blossoms between two folks in a psychological well being heart. Cha Younger-Goon (IM Soo-jung) believes she is a cyborg and desires electrical energy as an alternative of meals to outlive, whereas Park Il-soon (Rain) thinks she has the flexibility to counter different folks's traits as a technique to survive. of theft.

Because the viewers slowly learns in regards to the circumstances that led them to the identical facility, they develop to take care of and perceive one another, creating an trustworthy love. I'm a cyborg, however that's okay It demonstrates Park's willingness to check his limits in numerous genres and uncover what works greatest for him and his model. Few of his different movies would tread into comparable quirky and upbeat territory. Nonetheless, there's something common about I'm a cyborg, however that's okaymaking it a relatable and underrated addition to his physique of labor.

8

Stoker (2013)

Park creates a enjoyable thriller, nevertheless it doesn't maintain up alongside his greatest work

Though usually ignored amongst Nicole Kidman's greatest movies, Stoker It encompasses a haunting efficiency from the actress due to Park's route. Additionally starring Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode, Stoker was Park's English-language debut and simply demonstrated that his model and understanding of human nature interprets throughout language and cultural contexts. One of many few movies Park directed however didn't have a hand in writing, Stokeris a extra typical intergenerational thriller, with twists which can be thrilling however not unattainable to foretell.

Nonetheless, Stokerlike all of Park's work, it's flooded with particulars and vivid photos that make up the character's world, immersing the viewers in his internet of lies and violence. The movie has drawn quite a few comparisons to basic Hitchcock mysteries, however the resounding response to Stoker was that it couldn't contact on the success of Park's earlier works, notably Oldboy. Regardless of this, it's a compelling watch and no much less deviant than any of Park's extra graphic tasks.

7

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)

The primary a part of the revenge trilogy and an vital step for the park

Many icons of South Korean cinema seem in Sympathy for Mr. VengeanceThe movie that began the Revenge Trilogywhich got here to outline a lot of Park's early profession. Tune Kang-ho, Bae Doona and Shin Ha-Kyun lead this neo-noir thriller This doesn't have the identical vital score as Park's different works, nevertheless it's an exciting good time. Though violence in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance Generally it may be extreme, there may be extra to the movie than the gore and cynical edge that signifies its characters.

Regardless of its blended evaluations and field workplace efficiency, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance has aged fairly properly and reached the precise tone to determine the Revenge Trilogy. Though the second half, Oldboycould be the movie that lastly catapulted Park to worldwide acclaim, the remainder of his filmography couldn't exist with out Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. Stuffed with tragedy, devastation and the worst of humanity's inclinations, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance It's considered one of Park's darkest movies so far.

6

Joint Safety Space (2000)

This political thriller is the earliest instance of Park's iconic model

Joint Safety Space It's the first movie in Park's filmography that begins to outline his work as a director. It's clear from the primary moments of Joint Safety Space what That is when Park was actually changing into a filmmaker as a filmmaker and will convey your imaginative and prescient to life utterly. The movie is about within the Korean demilitarized zone and slowly removes the connection between troopers on the north and south sides of the zone, following a shootout and the ensuing investigation.

The movie was very profitable in South Korea, establishing Park as a director to look at and elegantly focus on the tenuous scenario on the DMZ. Joint Safety Space acquired quite a few accolades and nominations on the Blue Dragon Awards and the Busan Movie Critics Awards. Though Western audiences should not as conversant in Joint Safety SpaceLike this, This tense, sweeping thriller is a implausible instance of how Park turned such a distinguished and iconic director.

5

Woman Vengeance (2005)

Visually gorgeous and emotionally devastating, Woman Vengeance is a good conclusion to Park's trilogy

The ultimate installment of Revenge TrilogyLike this, Woman's revengeis the tragic conclusion to Park's exploration of the price of revenge. Lee Younger-ae offers an unimaginable efficiency as Geum-Ja, a younger girl who loses her daughter and spends years in jail after being blackmailed into confessing to a homicide she didn't commit. After her launch, Geum-ja does every little thing in her energy to make sure that the true perpetrator is delivered to justice by her hand.

Nonetheless Woman's revenge is often praised for its motion and battle scenes, the movie's emotional core shouldn't be ignored. As with the primary two movies in Park's trilogy, Woman's revenge elevates the story of a determined character who has seemingly misplaced every little thing and slowly realizes that terrorizing his enemies is not going to give again the years they misplaced. Woman's revenge is a powerful addition to Park's filmography and showcases his evolution as a visible artist.

4

Headquarters (2009)

Park places her personal spin on a basic vampire narrative

Thirst It's not your typical gothic vampire movie and performs with extra trendy influences like medical experimentation and modern want. Viewers will acknowledge Tune Kang-ho, a frequent collaborator of Bong Joon-Ho, because the protagonist, Sang-hyun. Faith additionally performs a giant function in Bossas Sang-hyun is a priest who's was a vampire after a medical experiment goes improper. Nonetheless, his rising lust for blood isn't the one want Sang-hyun has to maintain underneath management all through. Thirst.

Like most vampire movies, Boss addresses themes of want, sickness and social ostracization, As Sang-hyun is each enchanted and disgusted by his rising bodily powers and the impact they've on others. Thirst is nearer to a standard horror movie than the thrillers Park is understood for, however the director proves he understands how these genres work collectively. Successful the jury prize at Cannes, Thirst set the stage for the following section in Park's profession after the Revenge Trilogy.

3

Determination to go away (2022)

Park's newest function and an attention-grabbing departure for the filmmaker

Determination to go away gained the park many accolades after being launched in 2022, incomes him nominations on the BAFTAS, in addition to a win for greatest director at Cannes. The movie follows the instance of Park's earlier work, The servanttaking over a slower and extra contemplative tone, though Determination to go away There's nonetheless loads of motion and twists. Following the central relationship between a detective, Jang Hae-Jun (Park Hae-il) and the widow of a murdered man, Tune Website positioning-Rae (Tang Wei), Determination to go away sees the characters cope with their wishes and lies.

Each second of Determination to go away is fantastically created, and the definitive photographs enable the viewer to drink within the gorgeous visuals and sink deeper into the world of the story. All through the story, the viewers is as undone by Website positioning-Rae as Hae-Jun is, culminating in an ending that can stick with you for a very long time. It's simple to get sucked in Determination to go awayand it's a testomony to Park's longevity as a filmmaker that his latest works are solely increasing his model and talent.

2

Oldboy (2003)

A bloody, unforgettable show of park expertise

Oldboy is the second a part of the park Revenge TrilogyLike this, And it's by far the bloodiest and the perfect. Starring Choi Min-Sik as Oh Dae-su, the advanced protagonist of OldboyThe movie is considered one of Park's most intensely violent, and never for viewers who cringe on the sight of blood. Oldboy is likely one of the movies that Park is greatest recognized for and is broadly thought of to be the challenge that catapulted him to the next stage of fame and notoriety.

Thought-about the most effective revenge movies of all time, Oldboy is a brutal exploration of what the pursuit of revenge does to an individual and leaves the viewers questioning whether or not it's at all times higher to know the reality. That is the place Park highlighted his expertise as an motion director, Expertly creating iconic, immersive images that showcase battle choreography. Oldboy It stands out within the thriller style as a result of it not solely scratches the action-adventure itch that audiences go to thrillers for, nevertheless it additionally has a deeper which means that makes the viewer suppose.

1

The Handmaiden (2016)

This romantic thriller is Park Chan-wook's magnum opus

Park's most sweeping and romantic movie so far, The servantIt might have a love story on the coronary heart of its narrative, however that doesn't make it any much less twisted. As Park progressed in her profession, her work solely turned extra refined and thrilling, and The servant is the perfect illustration of the fruits of his model and contributions to cinema. Following the advanced relationship between the younger heiress Hideko (Kim Min-Hee) and her maid Sook-hee (Kim Tae-Ri), The servant It options all of the psychosexual thoughts video games audiences have come to count on from Park.

Slowly unfolding in three components, the viewer would possibly suppose they've a deal with on who betrayed who and the way the double crossovers will unfold. The servanthowever Park's layered narrative will hold audiences guessing till the tip. Instantly hailed as the most effective movies of 2016, The servant stays Park Chan-wookThe most effective movie so far, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how the artist is on the prime of this work within the coming years. Nonetheless The servant It has the twists and turns of a basic thriller, the movie simply transcends the style.