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Oldboy

Original title: Oldeuboi
  • 2003
  • R
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
681K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
229
27
Oldboy (2003)
After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days.
Play trailer1:58
6 Videos
99+ Photos
Dark ComedyOne-Person Army ActionPsychological DramaPsychological ThrillerActionDramaMysteryThriller

After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.

  • Director
    • Park Chan-wook
  • Writers
    • Garon Tsuchiya
    • Nobuaki Minegishi
    • Park Chan-wook
  • Stars
    • Choi Min-sik
    • Yoo Ji-tae
    • Kang Hye-jeong
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    681K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    229
    27
    • Director
      • Park Chan-wook
    • Writers
      • Garon Tsuchiya
      • Nobuaki Minegishi
      • Park Chan-wook
    • Stars
      • Choi Min-sik
      • Yoo Ji-tae
      • Kang Hye-jeong
    • 1.3KUser reviews
    • 326Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #77
    • Awards
      • 43 wins & 28 nominations total

    Videos6

    Official 'Oldboy' Trailer
    Trailer 1:58
    Official 'Oldboy' Trailer
    Oldboy
    Trailer 1:57
    Oldboy
    Oldboy
    Trailer 1:57
    Oldboy
    Oldboy (2003)
    Trailer 1:35
    Oldboy (2003)
    Director Park Chan-wook on Weaving Violent and Erotic Themes into 'Oldboy'
    Clip 4:33
    Director Park Chan-wook on Weaving Violent and Erotic Themes into 'Oldboy'
    The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
    Clip 2:56
    The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
    IMDbrief: 'Outlaw King' & Most Epic Tracking Shots in Film History
    Clip 3:59
    IMDbrief: 'Outlaw King' & Most Epic Tracking Shots in Film History

    Photos207

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    + 201
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    Top cast53

    Edit
    Choi Min-sik
    Choi Min-sik
    • Dae-su Oh
    Yoo Ji-tae
    Yoo Ji-tae
    • Woo-jin Lee
    Kang Hye-jeong
    Kang Hye-jeong
    • Mi-do
    Kim Byeong-Ok
    Kim Byeong-Ok
    • Mr. Han
    Ji Dae-han
    • No Joo-hwan
    • (as Dae-han Ji)
    Oh Dal-su
    Oh Dal-su
    • Park Cheol-woong
    • (as Dal-su Oh)
    Seung-shin Lee
    Seung-shin Lee
    • Yoo Hyung-ja
    • (as Seung-Shin Lee)
    Yoon Jin-seo
    Yoon Jin-seo
    • Lee Soo-ah
    Oh Tae-kyung
    • Young Dae-su
    • (as Tae-kyung Oh)
    Yoo Yeon-seok
    Yoo Yeon-seok
    • Young Woo-Jin
    • (as Ahn Yeon-Seok)
    Il-han Oo
    • Young Joo-hwan
    Lee Young-hee
    • Clock Store Lady
    Kim Young Ae
    Kim Young Ae
    • Elevator Lady
    • (as Kim Yeong-ae)
    Mi Mi Lee
    • Dental Nurse
    Jae-Duk Han
    • Night Teacher
    Jung Ae Kwak
    • Nun Teacher
    San Kim
    • Electronics Store Owner
    Chae-soo Jang
    • Woo-jin's Doctor
    • Director
      • Park Chan-wook
    • Writers
      • Garon Tsuchiya
      • Nobuaki Minegishi
      • Park Chan-wook
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1.3K

    8.3680.5K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Oldboy' is a polarizing film, celebrated for its intricate plot, shocking twists, and emotional impact. Many praise its cinematography, direction, and Choi Min-sik's compelling performance. However, some critics argue the violence is gratuitous and the twist unconvincing, leading to mixed reactions. Despite the controversy, 'Oldboy' is often hailed for its bold storytelling and significant place in modern cinema.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    9lucas739

    Great film!

    I feel compelled to defend this film from some quite frankly unwarranted criticism. Although it isn't without its flaws, and all films have a few,it certainly isn't a one star film.What this film has is the ability to be sublime, shocking, ridiculous, mildly amusing and visually stunning which is some feat for any film.The sheer scale of the comments here suggests that here is a film that gets to you in one way or another. This film is as far away from Maborosi as you can get yet both films are up there as great pieces of cinema. I wont divulge the plot or end this comment with a Latin quote to reinforce my self importance i'll just say go and watch it, preferably if you're not too squeamish and don't mind subtitles.This film left me thinking about it the following day which is normally a good thing (atleast it shows my memory is working!)
    9maciusp

    A masterpiece for the cinema fanatics.

    The first time I watched "Old-boy", I was half-amazed, half-disgusted. I wasn't quite sure how to rate the movie in general. I knew 2 things: 1. From a visual point of view, it's one of the best movies I have ever seen. Cinematography & scenography are nothing short of perfection. 2. I had problems with the plot, some holes in it, and a general feeling of injustice, as crime seemed to be pretty lightweight compared with the punishment.

    2nd time was a weird situation. A girl I knew tried to get into the film school, and the day before her exam she asked me to supply her with some movies that were interesting visually. 2 films we watched were "Natural Born Killers" and "Old-boy", and, especially the 2nd 1 was a revelation.

    Knowing the plot, it was easy for me to concentrate on the visual side, and my friend always consumes the movies this way. Results of paying attention to the tiniest of details were stunning. I don't think there's 1 scene in there shot without an idea, without something happening in the background, or without an image responding to the theme of the scene.

    Don't be a baby crying about violence - camera turns away in key moments. Don't be a smartarse, picking on the shortcomings of the plot - think about Hitchcock or Chaplin and how they gave a flying f... about plot. Appreciate the work of the whole crew, and for best effects watch it a couple of times. It's worth it.
    9asrafalli

    Disturbing! But great.

    When I search google for the most confusing movie this movie was on the list so I gave it a shot didn't expect it to be this good the way it shows the story line it was amazing and creative. Loved every bit of it. Kind of disturbing but for those who like adult kind of movie it surely a must watch.
    10Xstal

    You Only Live Once...

    Imagine what you'd do, when you wake from a bad dream, to find you're held by four square walls, for as long as someone deems, no idea why you're trapped, what you've done, why you're kidnapped, just a ceaseless line of dumplings going down your gyoza hatch. Now some fifteen years have passed, every question has been asked, and you're suddenly set free, can start your own avenging spree, before you do you need to feed, by eating something that's in need, so an octopus is ordered, and head first you cross the borders. But things aren't what they might seem, tied and tethered and undreamed, as the puppet master hovers, manipulates what you'll discover.

    Some films you cannot watch too often and this is one of the greatest pieces of cinematic brilliance ever created.
    10bur_007

    If only we were all living in Asia....

    To start off; This is the one and only film that kept me quiet for a whole 5 mins after seeing it. I literally couldn't close my mouth, and yet there wasn't any sound coming out of it. Oldboy had such an impact on me that words are too little to describe that impact. Therefore this film is definitely in my top 3 films ever made. It belongs there because it has a massive ingredient that a lot of films seem to miss out on; a divine plot. Even though the acting and screenplay are world class, the plot is really the cherry on the cake.

    When it comes to screenplay Park Chan-Wook is unique (at least for western standards) in his way of filming. The colours are so vivid and it seems like he wanted every shot to be a piece of art. One tip: If you like the shooting in 'Oldboy', have a look at 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance', the third part in Park's revenge-trilogy. It's even superior to the camera-work in 'Oldboy'. Don't, however, expect a story like Oldboy's, because you would be very disappointed.

    When it comes to acting and the music, this film is also one of the better films ever made. The music sticks in your head and every time I put in my Oldboy-DVD and the theme-song comes up, I'm just flooded with good memories (even though the plot doesn't have a single reason to be happy about). The characters are also presented very well by the outstanding cast. Especially Choi Min-Sik and Yu Ji-Tae set a very convincing performance.

    I really appreciate this film being respected as it should be, by having a place in the top 250. If, however, it was up to me it would be even higher in the ranking. I don't see why films like 'The Usual Suspects' or 'Memento', which are fantastic pieces of film-making and which without a doubt deserve a place in the top 250, are higher in the top 250 than 'Oldboy'. They serve the same cause; a fantastic plot. But those plots can't stand in the shadow or even come close to the plot of 'Oldboy'. The one and only reason is that those two films are better known and from a western production company. If we were all living in Asia, no doubt 'Oldboy' would be in the top 20 of all time.

    My advice to people who haven't watched this film yet: Go see it! This is definitely a must- see. If you have a weak stomach, pull yourself together and still watch it. Don't be as shallow as a lot of people here tend to be. Look beyond the violence and see the things I mentioned before: world class acting, cinematography, music and last but certainly not least the plot. Once you've opened yourself up you'll find a whole new world of cinema. Enjoy!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Choi Min-sik trained for six weeks and lost twenty pounds to get in shape for the role of Dae-su, and did most of his own stunt work.
    • Goofs
      (at around 29 mins) Main character states that lack of sunlight has left him depleted of Vitamins A and E. These are obtained through diet. Sunlight is only responsible for the production of Vitamin D. Thus, the character should only be depleted of Vitamin D.
    • Quotes

      Woo-jin Lee: Remember this: "Be it a rock or a grain of sand, in water they sink as the same."

    • Alternate versions
      Park Chan-wook stated on his solo DVD commentary that there is an edited version for television broadcast. It omits some of the more extreme violence and the love scene between Oh Dae Su and Mi-do.
    • Connections
      Edited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Bring My Love
      by Starsailor

    Top picks

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    FAQ23

    • How long is Oldboy?Powered by Alexa
    • If this film is part of a trilogy, how important is it that the three be seen in order?: Can you watch any one of the three without confusion?
    • Is "Oldboy" based on a novel?
    • Is the movie ending the same as in the manga?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 2003 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • South Korea
    • Official sites
      • Apple TV Store
      • Official site (Russia)
    • Language
      • Korean
    • Also known as
      • Cinco días para vengarse
    • Filming locations
      • Busan, South Korea
    • Production companies
      • Show East
      • Egg Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,458,200
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $68,957
      • Mar 27, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,617,021
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • Dolby Digital EX
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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