"Unlocked: A Thriller Film that Fails to Deliver on Its Promise"

Unlocked, a 2023 thriller film written and directed by Kim Tae-joon, boasts an impressive cast that includes Chun Woo-hee, Yim Si-wan, Kim Hie-won, and Park Ho-san, among others. With a runtime of 117 minutes, the film aims to send shivers down your spine with its chilling plot.

The movie opens by highlighting our dependence on technology and how our devices have become an integral part of our lives. It sets the stage for the unfolding of a dark and suspenseful story that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The plot takes a dramatic turn within the first five minutes, and Yim Si-wan delivers an outstanding performance as an enigmatic character.

However, for those who fear the potential horrors that cell phones can bring into their lives, Unlocked may not be the ideal choice. Despite its impressive visuals and eerie antagonist, the movie is rather predictable and formulaic. The storyline is conventional, and the twists and turns are easy to anticipate.

It's disappointing that a movie set in a world where smart devices reign supreme fails to offer any fresh insights into the subject. The film's depiction of spyware is nothing new, and it merely reinforces what we already know. It's frustrating that the movie doesn't delve deeper into the topic and offer something thought-provoking.

Furthermore, some parts of the film are unrealistic and contrived. The ease with which certain events take place feels implausible, and the cat-and-mouse chase seems like a tired trope. Even Yim's character, who had the potential to be fascinating, ends up being a one-dimensional caricature of a psychopath.

One subplot that had the potential to be captivating was the antagonist's father trying to uncover the truth about his son's heinous acts. However, this angle is underdeveloped and doesn't receive enough attention. The ending, too, is predictable and lacks any real excitement. It ties up loose ends too neatly, leaving no room for speculation or interpretation.

In summary, Unlocked is a mediocre film that fails to bring anything new to the table. It's a retread of familiar territory, and viewers will likely find themselves feeling unfulfilled and bored. The movie misses the mark on many fronts and squanders the potential for greatness that it could have had. Overall, it's a letdown that will leave audiences feeling underwhelmed.

Unlocked, a thriller film directed and written by Kim Tae-joon, is a movie that explores the horrors of our dependence on smart devices. The film features a star-studded cast, including Chun Woo-hee, Yim Si-wan, Kim Hie-won, and Park Ho-san, among others. With a runtime of 117 minutes, the movie promises to keep you at the edge of your seat with its suspenseful plot.

The movie begins by giving us a glimpse of our addiction and dependence on our devices, setting the tone for the horrors that await. It becomes clear that there is something eerie going on, and all the excitement and following around can only spell doom in the upcoming minutes. The story takes a turn for the darker within five minutes of the initial adrenaline rush, and Yim Si-wan provides a compelling watch as someone who is quite mysterious at first glance.

However, if you're looking for a movie that will scratch your itch for horror, Unlocked may not be it. While the movie looks great, and the antagonist is quite eerie, it is pretty bland and extremely cliché. It follows the typical formula of a cat and mouse chase, and the twists are predictable and can be seen from a mile away.

It's disappointing how a movie set in 2023, in a world that relies entirely on smart devices, offers no interesting insights into something so fear-inducing. Spywares are very real, and they pose an extremely real possibility in today's world. However, the movie fails to bring anything new to the table, instead presenting everything we have known for so long in a prettier package.

The film is also unrealistic and unbelievable in some cases. It conveniently makes things happen one after another as if it's all so easy. The subplot of the antagonist's father following his own son around because of a hunch that he might be the serial killer is an angle that we should have been seeing from the start. It would have been interesting to see this father trying to find his murderous son. However, the ending of the story lacks every bit of thrill that you'd expect after the initial burst of energy and intrigue.

The movie ends in a rather cliched way, with the easiest and most predictable outcome. It offers no new possibilities, leaving the audience with a sense of boredom and disappointment. There's no chance to even think about the possibilities for a second, making the movie cut and dry and, thus, extremely boring.

In conclusion, Unlocked is a movie that offers nothing new and leaves everything to the imagination. It's a typical movie that follows a tried and tested formula, making it predictable and uninteresting. Despite having some interesting moments, the movie squanders its potential and leaves the audience feeling rather disappointed.Furthermore, the characters in Unlocked are one-dimensional and lack depth. Even the lead protagonist played by Chun Woo-hee doesn't have much to offer besides being a victim of circumstance. Yim Si-wan's character, while intriguing at first, is also a letdown as we learn very little about his motivations and backstory.

The direction and cinematography are the only saving grace of the film. Kim Tae-joon does an excellent job of creating a tense atmosphere, and the camera work adds to the overall feeling of unease. The use of smart devices as a means of surveillance is also well-executed, and it highlights the dangers of our dependence on technology.

However, the film's flaws far outweigh its strengths. Unlocked fails to live up to its promise of being a thriller that explores the horrors of our dependence on smart devices. It lacks creativity and originality, and its predictable plot and shallow characters make it forgettable.

In conclusion, while Unlocked may be worth watching for its direction and cinematography, it falls short in almost every other aspect. If you're looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking film that explores the dangers of our reliance on technology, Unlocked isn't it

Director: Kim Tae-joon

Editor: Shin Min-kyung

Language: Korean

Music director: Dalpalan, Pa-lan Dal