The atmosphere, the editing, the pretty much everything dealing with technique was pretty clean and engaging, the atmosphere specially was great, good at building suspense, the problem to me was easily the ending, the third act rushes everything and leaves an unsatisfying feeling of a major plot hole. Sadly it is literally unbelievable.
16 Reviews
Office
nickbates-9126016 November 2017
I just finished watching this movie on Netflix and i'm sitting here confused. I'm curious if i somehow missed something along the way in this movie. Let's clear one thing up though, this is not a bad movie. In fact it's pretty entertaining. It kept me engrossed until the end and kept me curious as to what was going on. It had a creepy, eerie vibe to it. But I've got to admit, the ending lost me. Maybe I just didn't get the movie or maybe I missed something but it felt unfinished. What was the motive? Was he guilty? What part did she play in it? Overall, not a bad movie by any means... it just felt pointless and left me unsatisfied in the end.
If you're in the mood for a murder mystery thriller
christopherflores-509742 October 2017
I really like Korean cinema (I Saw the Devil, Train to Busan, OldBoy, etc) so I decided to watch this one too since it's on Netflix.
As far as murder mystery movies go, this is a decent one. And, I feel as though it has something to say - along the lines of 'don't work yourself to death' or 'an overly stressed person can *snap* due to their work environment'. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
It's made well: good sound design and the creepy atmosphere is effective when it needs to be.
It's not the strongest film I've seen from South Korea but to be fair I've only seen around 10 or so. But, if you're in the mood for a good thriller-whodunit movie give this one a shot.
As far as murder mystery movies go, this is a decent one. And, I feel as though it has something to say - along the lines of 'don't work yourself to death' or 'an overly stressed person can *snap* due to their work environment'. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
It's made well: good sound design and the creepy atmosphere is effective when it needs to be.
It's not the strongest film I've seen from South Korea but to be fair I've only seen around 10 or so. But, if you're in the mood for a good thriller-whodunit movie give this one a shot.
Korean thriller mixes slasher kills and satire
Leofwine_draca13 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
OFFICE is one of those South Korean thrillers that manages to serve double duty as a wonderful bit of satire taking aim at modern life at the same time. This one looks at the stress brought about by workplace practices, in particular the press faced by office workers always being driven by the bosses to succeed and do more. Isn't it only natural that some of them will end up going a little bit crazy? OFFICE is a slick, pitch-dark thriller that offers plenty of uneasy laughs alongside the violent plot line in which an ordinary office is plagued by violent deaths. The acting is of a typically high calibre and the direction fine, even if the material is a little too thin and familiar for this to be a classic.
Definitely not for all tastes
Wizard-81 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
People who find this Korean movie on Netflix might be lead to believe (as I was) that what they would be getting a swift and bloody thriller of sorts. Well, there are definitely elements of that, but it's pretty much limited to the first five minutes and the last thirty minutes. What you get in-between is pretty much what the title indicates - a low key office drama with the usual office politics and going-ons. Though that wasn't what I was expecting, I actually did find to my surprise that this main portion of the movie did have some interest and I was not really bored at any moments. Though I will admit that the screenplay does ultimately not give some clear answers for some major plot points, and the twist that does happen three-quarters of the way through (and the conclusion) will more or less be guessed by many viewers before it actually happens. Despite these and a few other problems, I was kind of glad I had seen the movie, because it was certainly different than any other movie I had ever seen. But I will admit the movie is far from perfect, and I can see that many viewers will find that its flaws outweigh its merit. It's best reserved for viewers in the mood for something mostly low key and more thoughtful than usual. It also will help if you have already seen your share of Korean cinema.
Work space invades you
auhconnect2 August 2016
The cut-throat (literally) corporate work space of today, permeates through everything, including, our minds, our private lives and our homes. Sometimes this can result in unimaginable horrors. It is especially true for more submissive and highly orthodox work practices prevalent in Japan and Korea, where you work is expected to precede everything including your family. "Office" takes place within that ambiance and tells a story of a monolithic work space bordering on slave labour that the majority of multinational corporations have turned in to today. The characters involved share a completely serene on the surface but potentially demented dynamics between themselves that explodes with a bang eventually. The director has played with the genre and tried to include some new plot elements, however, they turn out as contrived at best.
A half decent and formulaic out-put from Korean cinema that fails to match the standard set by the best of the lot coming out of there.
A half decent and formulaic out-put from Korean cinema that fails to match the standard set by the best of the lot coming out of there.
Not a normal day at the Office
kosmasp4 January 2016
Also not a normal day back at home. There are things happening here, that might and probably should alienate you. Some things are more than brutal (especially the depicted violence, just thinking about it, makes you shudder), other things seem to float along. It's a weird little gem, that is anything but mainstream.
If you have seen other Korean movies, you know there is a sensibility to some of them, that might not feel right for western audiences. But that is what makes movies like this so great to watch. You have no idea where this is going, nor what to think of the main character. Is he supposed to be good or bad? Will that question be answered or not? What is the movie trying to tell us? ... and so forth
If you have seen other Korean movies, you know there is a sensibility to some of them, that might not feel right for western audiences. But that is what makes movies like this so great to watch. You have no idea where this is going, nor what to think of the main character. Is he supposed to be good or bad? Will that question be answered or not? What is the movie trying to tell us? ... and so forth
Office Stress
chinjeremiahkh10 April 2019
Could have been better.
paulclaassen3 April 2020
The film starts off interestingly mysterious, and there's a few creepy and scary scenes. However, the middle part of the movie becomes nothing more than business talk and rivalries within a big business.
The film (sort of) redeems itself towards the end. There's mention of demonic possession, but this is never clear or confirmed. It felt as if the writer didn't know how to justify the antagonist's actions and then opted for this explanation. The film doesn't feel well constructed with too many distractions from the primary premise.
Ko Asung was very good in her role as Lee Mi-Rye.
The film (sort of) redeems itself towards the end. There's mention of demonic possession, but this is never clear or confirmed. It felt as if the writer didn't know how to justify the antagonist's actions and then opted for this explanation. The film doesn't feel well constructed with too many distractions from the primary premise.
Ko Asung was very good in her role as Lee Mi-Rye.
Worst Korean movie so far,,
Mr3mn12 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
First point : F**Ed logic as a mystery and crime film Expected events , cheap acting , Exaggerated in violence damage and some fails in the lines I am a fan of the Korean cinema but this one was disappointing .
Second point : The actors are looking unprofessional in there acting it seems like they are pretending . Even the Ending was cold . It is not open ending or complete ending it is like there still twenty minutes to watch .
Second point : The actors are looking unprofessional in there acting it seems like they are pretending . Even the Ending was cold . It is not open ending or complete ending it is like there still twenty minutes to watch .
Very good film with a good twist or 2 and great atmosphere which an intresting ending.
chrisstick1 June 2019
Litteraly one of my favourite ever films.
I love the acting, I love the story and how it has some very good twists.
Not filled with screaming and over the top music (the score is very well done) to take away from film or to try and make it scary just a good constant feeling of threat abit like the witch.
Shows how lonely life can be and over working or trying to be accepted.
It's also worth reading into the ending abit as I think some people are missing the supernatural point as why people are seeing certain things, as well few other things that I didn't pick up on my first watch but now seen it many times 😅
I love the acting, I love the story and how it has some very good twists.
Not filled with screaming and over the top music (the score is very well done) to take away from film or to try and make it scary just a good constant feeling of threat abit like the witch.
Shows how lonely life can be and over working or trying to be accepted.
It's also worth reading into the ending abit as I think some people are missing the supernatural point as why people are seeing certain things, as well few other things that I didn't pick up on my first watch but now seen it many times 😅
Good movie bad story
jsco500017 April 2020
Entertaining, daring, black humor
imdb-2382126 January 2024
Fantastic black comedy and horror all filled in one. This is certainly more original and daring than typical American films. It packs a punch and makes a statement and those who didn't like the film and wrote reviews didn't quite get the twist and the statement it makes. Like many such as swimming with sharks, this film is about high pressure at the office, unfairness, wolves, protecting themselves, and disgraceful behavior. Film begins with the death of a worker's family, but doesn't explain much more than given opening shot. Turmoil and drama then takes place in the office. Following the tragedy, which furthers the tension. I wouldn't say more otherwise it will ruin the movie.
The acting is top rate as are the creative camera shots, particularly one of my favorites takes place with the use of the darkness, not once but twice. Even if you're not a fan of the third act, which I thought was more clever than others did, it's a very entertaining and thrilling ride.
The acting is top rate as are the creative camera shots, particularly one of my favorites takes place with the use of the darkness, not once but twice. Even if you're not a fan of the third act, which I thought was more clever than others did, it's a very entertaining and thrilling ride.
https://youtu.be/puZvfM8f44Q
repent543 October 2018
Good despite flaws
Quanfa29 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I really like this movie - the acting is superb and the depiction of office politics is brilliant. It's incredible that people work that hard to keep jobs that stressful where no one is appreciated. If you bear all that in mind and not get too caught up in the plot holes, it's an enjoyable movie to say the least.
The confusion is plenty, however. Mr Kim killed his family supposedly out of confused stress. Miss Lee picked up the gauntlet, so to speak and kills her co-workers right afterwards. Was she actually turning into Mr Kim? Was it supernatural in a way? I can only thing yes, probably. In the end I guess you make up your own mind.
The confusion is plenty, however. Mr Kim killed his family supposedly out of confused stress. Miss Lee picked up the gauntlet, so to speak and kills her co-workers right afterwards. Was she actually turning into Mr Kim? Was it supernatural in a way? I can only thing yes, probably. In the end I guess you make up your own mind.
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