IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.7K
YOUR RATING
In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of President Park, who controls the KCIA, the organization with the edge over any branch of government.In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of President Park, who controls the KCIA, the organization with the edge over any branch of government.In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of President Park, who controls the KCIA, the organization with the edge over any branch of government.
- Awards
- 16 wins & 35 nominations total
Farid-Eric Bernard
- The French henchman
- (as Eric Bernard)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
It's all about acting and Music and rhythem.
Thriller movies are very dangerous to make cause 4/10 will be totally disaster.
Well, after I watched this movie first thing came out from my mind is it's only Jan.26 and I've alreay seen the best movie released in 2020 period.
You will probably say hey man, there is 11 more months to go.
Nope.
This is it.
The movie is about Kim who assasninate the president Park which really happened in South Korea back in 1970s.
Many people thaught the Kim is the bad guy and the President Park is the lendeng who made Korean a rich country now. But you know what? That is not exactly true.
Afte being in that seat for 18 years, he was totallt corrupted.
Someone had to kill him. He was a dictator which no one can touch like Kim Il Sung.
The last 20 minute was so intensed that I couldn't even lean my back on the chair. I had to watch with my back bent towrd the screen.
Not even one minute to feel boring. Great movie.
The last 20 minute was so intensed that I couldn't even lean my back on the chair. I had to watch with my back bent towrd the screen.
Not even one minute to feel boring. Great movie.
The possession of power often leads people to lose their way and forget their initial intentions. In the movie, through Lee Byung-hun's internal struggle, it highlights how those in power can become wrapped up in their position, eventually feeling that they are the most important. They start expecting others not to betray them, displaying a certain level of selfishness. While there are quite a few movies about political maneuvering, this film also gives us insights into Korea's historical background. It really reminds me of China's ancient emperor system and the ongoing military conflicts in many countries. The truth is, people often don't ask for much, but someone always climbs up and becomes a leader, managing the masses. It's a reflection of both human nature and animalistic tendencies.
You know when they say that good intentions can go wrong? What if you can't actually tell if they went wrong? Who is to say what right and wrong is anyway? I wouldn't dare say I understood every little bit of history that was presented here (this is one of those cases where it makes sense, at least afterwards) to get into what the movie was about. Yes this is based on real characters and events - and yes it can be confusing to a degree.
Especially because of all the grey areas this covers. And power grabs and jealousy, rivalry and pure horror/fear inside ones mind. To at least a certain degree, things displayed here, would be things you'd attest or expect from North Korea(n goverment), not from the one in South Korea. But when not all is developed yet, when people have to go to the streets to protest for certain things and rights ... well things get and are complicated.
So this is very well made and really amazingly acted. If political thriller/drama is in your "playlist"/something you enjoy watching, this is definitely worth watching. Otherwise you may have issues with it and it's pacing ...
Especially because of all the grey areas this covers. And power grabs and jealousy, rivalry and pure horror/fear inside ones mind. To at least a certain degree, things displayed here, would be things you'd attest or expect from North Korea(n goverment), not from the one in South Korea. But when not all is developed yet, when people have to go to the streets to protest for certain things and rights ... well things get and are complicated.
So this is very well made and really amazingly acted. If political thriller/drama is in your "playlist"/something you enjoy watching, this is definitely worth watching. Otherwise you may have issues with it and it's pacing ...
The movie is based on a political history and its backstage dark site. It is sad, South Korea had dictators which weren't that long time ago. But,however it is free from its dictators now, however it gained its desirable democracy.
I don't know how the movie portraits Kim as a patriot or as a traitor. But,his acting was amazing and other cast did a great job.
I don't know how the movie portraits Kim as a patriot or as a traitor. But,his acting was amazing and other cast did a great job.
It wasn't boring for Koreans, the director approached the case with a neutral standard, and this film re-evaluated the character Kim Jae-gyu.
Did you know
- TriviaOfficial submission of South Korea for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.
- GoofsThe establishing shots of Washington, D.C. are clearly from the 21st century and not the 1970s, as the World War II Memorial (built in the 2000s) is visible.
- Quotes
President Park: ''A man's path isn't always filled with laughs, but a storm can not stop a man with determination"
- How long is The Man Standing Next?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Chiefs of Namsan
- Filming locations
- Place Vendome, Paris, France(Park rendezvous with Korean consulate staff in France.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $113,527
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $16,514
- Jan 26, 2020
- Gross worldwide
- $34,664,900
- Runtime1 hour 54 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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