Don't Buy the Seller

Well maybe not entirely and always - sometimes it is also what you make of it ... no pun intended anyway. And also you can never know who you are dealing with. I know that when I "clap back" (metaphorically and verbally that is) with some people ... I sometimes think: maybe I shouldn't do that ... I have no idea what their mind set is after all.

So the movie takes this to a different degree one might argue. Good acting and overall structure when it comes to where this ends up and also when you think about how little "story" there is. It is just about something offered, the person receiving having an issue with it (rightfully so) ... and everything going upside down.

This is a flick that delivers the basic requirements of its genre. Assuming due to its small but talented cast that it was shot with a low budget, I think it's done with mastery and taste. The lead actress Shin Hye Sun is a very talented one and I've been a fan for years. (You've seen Mr. Queen? That's the one. Versatile and never over the top.) The scenes are mostly well-shot, including the immediately engrossing intro which, I think, could have been a little longer. The tempo is nice and without rushing it or drawing it out, the premise is introduced in the natural course of the plot.

In other words: done with a small budget but doesn't feel cheap, well shot, tempo optimal for its kind, good acting.

I don't want to mislead, though: it is a forgettable movie mostly relying on plot tropes and though certain risks the criminal takes to go about doing his stuff might slightly challenge suspense of disbelief, that feeling will go away as soon as you pay attention to what is implied in the movie about the inefficiency and priorities of police force regardless of what desk takes on what task as long as it is a nobody -read your average citizen- that is to be protected.

That's secondary to the point that the movie makes, though. What's it that they drive home loud and clear? That the internet has basically become the Wild Wrst for us nobodies. *

It's a nice movie to pass the time. It's not one to make an impact. (More character development would be needed for that as well as veering a bit more into the drama side.) *: Well, most of us know what dangers await internet users in this era where we can do almost anything on the internet and yet can never be too sure of our safety, which we just entrust to a variety of things: security software, reputable institutions, police force etc... Even then, skills and/or knowledge we don't have overpower us. We entrust our safety really more with the idea, a fact most of the time, that we are not important enough to be a target online.

That's the exact victim profile certain types of criminals need, however, like when governments rob us relying on our numbers, for instance, or when companies know we are too small to fight back as individuals such that we have to suck it up most of the time if we find that we're wronged..

The crimes that nobodies commit against nobodies, too, operate on the same principle:you are a target when it becomes obvious that no one has your back. It's what a predator watches out for in their prospective prey.

So why do we make stupid mistakes when we know we can never be too careful? Well... When you find yourself having to constantly budget your finances, you kind of have to forget you're making a bet on your own wellbeing, to a certain extent... Any decision made by the protagonist that might look stupid hinges on that fact about her. It is up to you to accept that. I find it very realistic in that sense.

A decent Korean thriller that fits the mold of so many similar genre films of late. Home invasion, cybercrime, stalking etc. It doesn't do much to improve the formula, but it will do for a casual watch.

The film minimizes blood and guts, instead playing up the psychological terror that victims suffer from cybercriminals. Our protagonist really does go through considerable distress with hardly any way to protect herself since the elusive villain's methods are scarily effective. He often hides in plain sight, and the screenplay cleverly keeps him hidden until late in the story. Thus we have both a mystery and a stalker thriller that plays its cards straight, with little diversion from the main plot.

It does progress into something more conventional later on, and it might have been more memorable if it strayed from the norm. But we'll have to do with what's presented here, and that's a polished piece of tension building that doesn't do anything to impress, but just about scratches that thriller itch before you move on to something better.

A young woman deals with a creepy boss as well as a scammer who turns into a vindictive cyber-stalker after she confronts him online. Unfortunately, this felt uncreative and rather generic, complete with a car chase that by all rights should have been the end of the film, but no, it dragged on longer. Throughout the film the woman puts herself in unnecessary danger, the police are always understaffed and one step behind, and the killer moves in linear ways. It's reasonably well made, but I think anyone could have written this. It may pass some time on a long airplane ride if you have nothing better to do though.

From start to finish, the movie had me on the edge of my seat, skillfully keeping the identity of the culprit a mystery. Initially, the possibility of a team orchestrating events added complexity, only to be overturned later, leaving breadcrumbs that pointed to a lone individual. The film skillfully navigated the suspense, making it impossible to pinpoint a suspect. What sets this thriller apart is its intense portrayal of cyberbullying. Unlike other movies in the genre, the impact felt remarkably potent. The storyline weaves through a tapestry of clues, keeping the audience guessing until the very end. With seamless pacing and a narrative that evolves organically, the movie transcends typical cyberbullying portrayals, delivering a gripping and intense experience. A must-watch for those seeking a thrilling ride with a fresh take on a familiar theme.