Korea's latest serial killer thriller is quite obviously a lockdown movie, so looking cheaper and more basic than we're used to. Don't go in expecting it to be on the same wavelength as I SAW THE DEVIL or THE CHASER, the stand-out classics of the genre. Saying that, it's still a fun little film that ekes every drop of suspense from the premise, which is that a deaf-mute mother and daughter are pursued by a killer whose crimes they witnessed. Plenty of contrivance in this one from a first time writer/director, but the pace is spot on, the acting strong, and there are plenty of thrills to take your mind off any problems.
117 Reviews
Stupid.
kanifuker-8470826 August 2021
I love SK movies but this got more and more stupid as it went along. Could have been a lot better. Definitely wouldn't watch this again as with 45mins to go i just wanted to turn it off as it got dumber the longer it went on.
It's not that bad. In fact, I really liked it
laura-1871213 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
People are really crapping on this film but to me, it was great. The acting is great and builds tension and the fact that the two main characters are deaf lets the movie use different ways of building suspense. An example would be the scene when the killer enters her house, and the noise activated lights start to blink, but the main character is turned away and doesn't see (of course). I also think it's great that those main characters DO get some justice in the end.
It's true that a lot of the other characters suffer from what is seemingly stupidity, but I think that more-so highlights their foolish dismissiveness of the daughter and mother's concerns due to their disability. They believe the killer isn't a threat simply because he's handsome and looks well put together. He acts a little bit like their caretaker in the police station and so they talk to him most of the time and give him respect he doesn't deserve. That justice aforementioned, therefore, has to be won by the main characters without any help due to everyone's unwillingness to understand until the very end. In addition to the anxiety built by the killer hunting them down, there's also added anxiety by a feeling of repeatedly reaching out and getting alienated to their situation in the process. It made me feel for the main characters and also want to cheer for them to succeed in the end. It also made me hate everyone else because their ignorance almost got the main characters, who WERE trying their best, killed. Very sad but horribly realistic picture of society in some situations in my opinion.
I also saw some comments saying the film portrays the main characters as "weak women" who can't do anything, but there's plenty of times that they had to fight for their lives - and win, especially the main character. The ending scenes really highlights this.
An argument could be made that the film is not realistic, but I think it's more of illustrating that fear of alienation, overwhelming knowledge of a horror others can't see, and endlessly running from that thing to others confusion. It also shows how that strength to overcome it sometimes has to come through yourself because everyone around you is metaphorically blind. It might not be Train to Busan or a five star k-drama, but for a 100 minute stand-alone chase thriller, it's great.
It's true that a lot of the other characters suffer from what is seemingly stupidity, but I think that more-so highlights their foolish dismissiveness of the daughter and mother's concerns due to their disability. They believe the killer isn't a threat simply because he's handsome and looks well put together. He acts a little bit like their caretaker in the police station and so they talk to him most of the time and give him respect he doesn't deserve. That justice aforementioned, therefore, has to be won by the main characters without any help due to everyone's unwillingness to understand until the very end. In addition to the anxiety built by the killer hunting them down, there's also added anxiety by a feeling of repeatedly reaching out and getting alienated to their situation in the process. It made me feel for the main characters and also want to cheer for them to succeed in the end. It also made me hate everyone else because their ignorance almost got the main characters, who WERE trying their best, killed. Very sad but horribly realistic picture of society in some situations in my opinion.
I also saw some comments saying the film portrays the main characters as "weak women" who can't do anything, but there's plenty of times that they had to fight for their lives - and win, especially the main character. The ending scenes really highlights this.
An argument could be made that the film is not realistic, but I think it's more of illustrating that fear of alienation, overwhelming knowledge of a horror others can't see, and endlessly running from that thing to others confusion. It also shows how that strength to overcome it sometimes has to come through yourself because everyone around you is metaphorically blind. It might not be Train to Busan or a five star k-drama, but for a 100 minute stand-alone chase thriller, it's great.
not bad!
mdewan-4481015 January 2022
The actors are really good.
holyholymoly9 September 2021
A decent thriller, but could've been better
soeprijo195 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The first 25 minutes of this movie was quite thrilling. A serial killer on the loose, looking for a prey and a deaf girl and her deaf mom accidentally caught in between. This was actually a promising premise but somehow it went downhill from that moment.
I don't know if some person are really that dumb in SK or the writer just wanted to make us mad. Some characters looked just pure lost, especially in the last 20 minutes. People in the street, the soldiers and even the police looked so confused and have no clue what to do. Me, on my average day, would not hesitate to give that serial killer a german suplex just to begin with, let alone just let him took the deaf girl away.
Average 7/10.
I don't know if some person are really that dumb in SK or the writer just wanted to make us mad. Some characters looked just pure lost, especially in the last 20 minutes. People in the street, the soldiers and even the police looked so confused and have no clue what to do. Me, on my average day, would not hesitate to give that serial killer a german suplex just to begin with, let alone just let him took the deaf girl away.
Average 7/10.
Interesting
PedroPires9029 December 2021
Only for Ki-joo Jin's acting
rahulbohra833817 August 2022
The main lead played by Ki-joo Jin is pretty solid..rarely you see such performance by actors playing deaf characters and evoking such emotions in the audiences...also the chemistry between Ki-joo Jin and the actor playing her mother....the plot has quite a loopholes...police is dumbed down a lot...killer always has the upper hand but ending is decent...
SIMPLE YET BRUTAL ON IT'S OWN WAY
PANDIAN12062117 March 2022
With just a 4 to 5 characters ànd the streets of Korea and some breath taking performance from the cast,which was easily passable with the brilliant screenplay and crisp editing,with pitch perfect night visuals lighting,so what a nail biting around two hours of roller coaster ride that easily captures u.
Dumb movie.
victoriachillin23 September 2021
The story doesn't make sense. So many plot holes. Unrealistic. They made the police so dumbbbb..
Psychopath tend to have higher intelligence than average ppl. At least don't go to police station revealing your real face and the public place where CCTV is everywhere.
Also the leading actress.. She could've just typed everything with her phone instead of threatening people with knife. Idk man kinda wasting my time.
I watched because of Wi Ha Joon, he is not bad just the writing's lame
To those who gave 5 stars, you are lucky for being easily satisfied with that standard. I'm struggling to find good movies these days..
Psychopath tend to have higher intelligence than average ppl. At least don't go to police station revealing your real face and the public place where CCTV is everywhere.
Also the leading actress.. She could've just typed everything with her phone instead of threatening people with knife. Idk man kinda wasting my time.
I watched because of Wi Ha Joon, he is not bad just the writing's lame
To those who gave 5 stars, you are lucky for being easily satisfied with that standard. I'm struggling to find good movies these days..
The lovely Ki-joo Jin
christopher-underwood14 April 2022
Some people really don't like this film but I'm one who does enjoy this thrilling idea. The lovely Ki-joo Jin plays a deaf girl and also her mother whilst there is a serial killer around. True this is a simple idea with a half a dozen people and a few streets and running around as well as also in the girls' house, it is still very fast and very scary. Their impairment makes it difficult with a killer on the loose but at least they can talk together without the killer understanding. I love the fact that this takes so little to make it good and I loved it.
Movie that make u wanna kill every character
andreesantoso4 September 2023
Everything is just really stupid. You wont feel the suspense or the thriller. But definitely you will feel the angers for asking "why?" So many times.
It's just a disgrace using deaf people in the movie. The antagonist is only deaf, not stupid or retarted people. Vice versa with the antagonist. It will make you wanna scream for the stupidness.
How to make scene scene thrilling, suspense and horror? Just turn off the light and make everything dark.
Because this movie, i wanna learn quantum physics. To make time machine, and fight with myself. For letting me watch this movie
The only sign language for this movie is thumb down 👎
It's just a disgrace using deaf people in the movie. The antagonist is only deaf, not stupid or retarted people. Vice versa with the antagonist. It will make you wanna scream for the stupidness.
How to make scene scene thrilling, suspense and horror? Just turn off the light and make everything dark.
Because this movie, i wanna learn quantum physics. To make time machine, and fight with myself. For letting me watch this movie
The only sign language for this movie is thumb down 👎
yeah .. not really
suhaila-3896321 October 2021
Handsome psychopath
i really wanted more of him , like a drama of him being crazy killer and cops trying to capture him
still .. too many plot holes
the psychopath character have no depth and no obvious reasons for killing
and deaf people would still sense when someone is behind them they are deaf not senseless.
Disappointing
kikisun-1062230 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Storyline was alright but lots of loopholes such as
The acting of the actors was alright
Finishing the movie is frustrating. For people with disability, sure there's way to contact emergency line for emergency right?
- i think a deaf person are more cautious of their surrounding. This movie just reflecting that deaf person are hopeless, easily fooled
- how bad was police system there in Korea? Leaving the witnesses unattended while taking the report? Then, when the brother was holding knife on that bad guy, shouldn't you get testimony from both of them and witnesses before let of them go
- how careless and lack of common sense are you to lock the door immediately when you are in danger
- the mother and daughter both deaf, so hopeless. Watching this movie make you think They better stay at home.
The acting of the actors was alright
Finishing the movie is frustrating. For people with disability, sure there's way to contact emergency line for emergency right?
Enjoyable, but could and should be shorter and better
pasaribuharisfadli3 June 2022
With a very committed performance from Jin Ki-joo, Midnight presented a tense and atmospheric thrill even from its first scene. But then this cat-and-mouse thriller was getting repetitive with the characters keep making questionable choices through their action. Hence the film became less interesting, even though it still entertaining to watch.
Shout-out to main actress!
mungunbayarbatbayar16 October 2021
Love like that Adrenaline-rushy movies. Didn't expect to see that so cute woman in the movie, beside unbelievable performance!!! Shout out to her acting!!! Unbelievable! It's hard to believe that she is normal person in real life. I love the ending... would like to see the next part or wish it would continue like in longer, tv series...
Dumbest movie ever
fauxid5 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I am fan of korean movies, and i had never review movie in life. But this one was just dumbest movie i have ever seen. And had to write to review so that other won't have to loss thier time. *spoiler alert*
The mother and daughter in the movie are not only mute and deaf but dumb as well..
After they were brought to police station, they could have written everything and explain the situation but was always doing sign language, althoight police could not understood it.
And inside the police station, why were they left alone? What was that drunk person doing inside the police station?
And after the fight why didn't they took the report properly and let everyone go.
Mother and daughter could have explained to the police when there was fight between brother and and the culprit, but no, they just went home..... And i couldn't watch after that.
The mother and daughter in the movie are not only mute and deaf but dumb as well..
After they were brought to police station, they could have written everything and explain the situation but was always doing sign language, althoight police could not understood it.
And inside the police station, why were they left alone? What was that drunk person doing inside the police station?
And after the fight why didn't they took the report properly and let everyone go.
Mother and daughter could have explained to the police when there was fight between brother and and the culprit, but no, they just went home..... And i couldn't watch after that.
Great movie don't listen to the bad reviews
mchgothmog7 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I just finished watching midnight and wow what a great edge of your seat movie It's basically about a deaf girl and her deaf mother who fall into the trap of a serial killer who proceeds to hunt them down as they are witnesses to one of his victims The acting by all of the main cast was phenomenal The girl and her mom really acted like they were deaf and the killer is probably the biggest psycho in all of the movies that I've seen he always knew how to Lie his way out of everything and it felt so good when he Got exactly what he deserved in the end the ending of the movie was perfect
I don't understand the bad reviews there were no dumb decisions in the movie Nobody helped the girl and the mom because they couldn't understand them due to ignorance and because the girl and mom were deaf and the killer used that to his advantage to manipulate his way out of getting caught The deaf girl made the best decisions she could and through some good street smarts managed to Outsmart the killer in the end and saved herself and her mom So please try to understand the movie before leaving a bad review
Highly recommended.
I don't understand the bad reviews there were no dumb decisions in the movie Nobody helped the girl and the mom because they couldn't understand them due to ignorance and because the girl and mom were deaf and the killer used that to his advantage to manipulate his way out of getting caught The deaf girl made the best decisions she could and through some good street smarts managed to Outsmart the killer in the end and saved herself and her mom So please try to understand the movie before leaving a bad review
Highly recommended.
I like it ONLY at the beginning. I'm disappointed.
thepjlucero27 September 2021
Out of all the Korean films I've watched, this has the worst plot so far. I gave it 2 stars because the acting, the thrill (in some parts) and the idea pf the story were good. I was so excited to watch it. It started nice but as I watch it, it gets sickening.
What I most like about the film? Only the trick the protagonist pulled off at the end part. THAT'S IT.
I have watched A LOT of psycho killer triller films like this and by far this is one of the worst. There's a lot of stupid scenes and people. It was super unrealistic.
This film has a potential but they blew it. It felt like the writer lacked of ideas for the 3/4 of writing the plot. I don't know. It's bad. A waste of time for thriller movie lovers and for the talent of the actors. They should've done way better than this.
Not recommended.
What I most like about the film? Only the trick the protagonist pulled off at the end part. THAT'S IT.
I have watched A LOT of psycho killer triller films like this and by far this is one of the worst. There's a lot of stupid scenes and people. It was super unrealistic.
This film has a potential but they blew it. It felt like the writer lacked of ideas for the 3/4 of writing the plot. I don't know. It's bad. A waste of time for thriller movie lovers and for the talent of the actors. They should've done way better than this.
Not recommended.
Ridiculous but nail-biting thriller!
paul-ayres-6078416 March 2022
OK, I can't deny that this movie is ridiculous in many ways but artistic license allows that for a nail--biting thriller.
The police are ridiculously thick as are most of the stunned crowds of people. But were that not the case the movie would have only lasted for 15 minutes.
I absolutely loved this movie and I was glued to the edge of my seat. Top notch acting from the whole cast and plenty of atmosphere. This is just what I hope for from a thriller. Once again I am blown away by a brilliant Korean movie.
Oh, and did I mention that the lead actress, Ki-joo Jin, is stunningly gorgeous?
The police are ridiculously thick as are most of the stunned crowds of people. But were that not the case the movie would have only lasted for 15 minutes.
I absolutely loved this movie and I was glued to the edge of my seat. Top notch acting from the whole cast and plenty of atmosphere. This is just what I hope for from a thriller. Once again I am blown away by a brilliant Korean movie.
Oh, and did I mention that the lead actress, Ki-joo Jin, is stunningly gorgeous?
Unrealistic.
daokhang18 October 2021
Like other bad reviews, there are many plot holes and it seems really unrealistic. I constantly wondered why they did AND didn't do many things. I almost gave up at the police station part. Other than that, the 2 stars is merely for great actors.
WORTH WATCHING!
karoman-3342324 October 2022
Excellent! Unusual & smart! I don't usually watch this kind of movie, but I saw in other reviews enough to interest me. The premise & writing was tense, yet interesting from beginning to end! It really should have a higher rating than it currently does. I recommend it to others. Whoever gave bad reviews of this movie didn't understand the intricacies of the plot. Unfortunately, much of this rings true in today's society! People don't want to g let involved & that's what the killer counts on. The actors are stellar. Wi Ha-Joon was transformed! The lead actress was mesmerizing, as well! Worth watching! TYTY!
A great movie.
jaime-6037424 November 2021
Set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where logic and common sense no longer exist.
This might be just as good as Halloween Kills.
I want my 100 minutes back.
Do yourself a favor and go watch I Saw the Devil or something.
This might be just as good as Halloween Kills.
I want my 100 minutes back.
Do yourself a favor and go watch I Saw the Devil or something.
Adrenaline inducing thriller
smonster004 July 2021
People didn't like this film as much as I did. The pacing of this thriller is SO GOOD. I was constantly in suspense and felt LOTS of adrenaline. It's about deaf people surviving a killer; Ki-joo Jin's acting is on a whole different level in Midnight (2021) 9/10.
P.s. Drink some strong coffee when going into this film...it will be worth it, trust me ;)
P.s. Drink some strong coffee when going into this film...it will be worth it, trust me ;)
Difficult to enjoy
Kim3on323 January 2022
The pro's
The con's
I can't say that I hated it but strictly as a movie it failed due to the incredibly weak script.
- The relationship between the mom and the girl was really sweet
- The acting was really good and carried the film
- The deaf "gimmick" made the basic premise more original
The con's
- I usually don't mind them in moderation but Midnight had way WAY too many dumb and unrealistic contrivances one right after the other that absolutely killed any and all suspense
- I didn't get the whole scene where the girl talks with the killer . We don't learn anything new about him other than his "evil" and doesn't really give a damn ...It's weird because Korean dramas typically have more character development
I can't say that I hated it but strictly as a movie it failed due to the incredibly weak script.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
