Director & Screenplay: Jin-hwang Kim
Starring: Ha Jung-woo, Kim Nam-gil, Park Jong-hwan, Yoo Da-In, Seo Hyeon-woo
Editing: Kim Sang-beom
Synopsis:
A reformed gangster’s world is turned upside down when his brother is found dead and his sister-in-law vanishes without a trace. As he digs for answers, he stumbles upon a bestselling novel that disturbingly mirrors the crime scene. The deeper he goes, the more tangled the truth becomes.
Verdict:
A slow-burning K-thriller that takes its time laying out the pieces, but when it all comes together in the final act—wow.
Story & Themes:
At its core, Nocturnal is a mystery wrapped in a crime drama. Our lead is a former gangster who, despite leaving that life behind, is pulled back in when his brother is murdered. Given the nature of his brother’s dangerous line of work, the list of potential suspects is long, and the mafia is definitely on it. But the real surprise comes when his investigation leads him to a novelist whose book seems to mirror the victim’s life a little too accurate.
The book’s author? An enigmatic writer whose inspiration seems to come from the deceased’s missing wife who, after years of abuse, had every reason to want her husband gone.
Though the movie is only about 90 minutes, the first and second is a slow build, layering clues and characters like a scattered puzzle. Then, the final act pick up the pace and deliver some jaw-dropping twists.
Characters:
- The Brother (Ha Jung-woo): A skilled fighter with an unwavering sense of duty, he’s relentless in his pursuit of the truth.
- The Novelist (Kim Nam-gil): A fascinating character who, unfortunately, doesn’t get as much depth as expected. His novel is crucial to the plot, but we never fully explore why he wrote it the way he did.
- The Wife (Yoo Da-in): A victim of domestic abuse who disappears with her daughter, making her the obvious suspect. But is she running from something or toward something?
Favorite Character:
I initially watched Nocturnal for Kim Nam-gil, but surprisingly, the Brother stole the show for me. Even though his murdered sibling wasn’t exactly a great guy, he still refuses to walk away from the mystery, proving that loyalty runs deep. Even beyond death.
Lessons Learned:
- If you’re in an abusive situation, leave. Fast and far.
- No matter how much time passes, family bonds don’t break. Look out for your siblings while you still can.
It’s an intriguing thriller with a lot of patience needed. If you’re into slow-burn mysteries with strong performances and a killer final act, Nocturnal is worth a watch.
