Park Chan-Wook is a relatively famous name in the global film industry. However, one would be surprised to know that he entered into filmmaking a lot later as compared to his counterparts. After studying philosophy at Sogang University in South Korea, he became an art and film critic. Being heavily inspired by Hitchcock’s filmmaking techniques in Vertigo, he turned to filmmaking and directed his first film, The Moon Is ...The Sun’s Dream. Today, he is one of the most prominent directors of not just the South Korean film industry but the global film industry as well. Following is a list of the top 10 movies directed by Park Chan-Wook.
1. The Handmaiden
A psychological thriller released in 2016, The Handmaiden, was such a cinematic breakthrough that it went on to win an Academy Award for the Best Film Not In English Language. Inspired by the novel Fingersmith, written by Sarah Waters, the movie revolves around a handmaiden hired by a Japanese heiress. The plot captivates her story as she deceives the heiress while secretly being involved in a conspiracy to defraud her.
2. Thirst
Another Palme d’Or nominated movie by Park Chan-Wook, Thirst is a horror film inspired by the novel Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola. It is based around the journey of a priest who turns into a vampire due to a failed experiment. The movie is not only a brilliantly fresh take on the horror genre, it also shows Park Chan-Wook’s flexibility as a director to work with narratives of all kinds. Bloody, violent, and romantic, the movie is, without question, one of Park’s finest works.
3. Oldboy
Inspired by the manga of the same name, Oldboy is a dark action thriller film. It won The Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, garnering praise and appreciation from none other than Quentin Tarantino. The movie's plot follows a man held captive for fifteen years in a hotel room. He is released with the condition of finding his captor. The film is a part of The Vengeance Trilogy and has an American version of the same name.
4. I’m A Cyborg But That’s OK
A rom-com with mixed reviews, I’m A Cyborg But That’s OK finds itself in the fourth position on this list because of its queer portrayal of love. The story of this film revolves around a woman who works a dead-end job of making transistors. She begins to believe that she is a cyborg who only needs batteries for sustenance and needs to be recharged every once in a while. She is sent to a mental institution where she meets other psychotics and finds love in one of them.
5. Joint Security Area
An action thriller based on the novel DMZ by Park Sang-Yeon, Joint Security Area is considered the highest-grossing film in the Korean industry in the early 2000s. The movie revolves around the killing of two North Korean soldiers on the border between the North and the South, prompting a neutral body to investigate the murder. The movie is considered anti-war in its portrayal of the miseries of soldiers. It is also considered one of the few South Korean movies that bring the North and the South together under a single narrative stance.
6. Stoker
A psychological thriller and Park’s debut in the English language, Stoker is a relatively darker and disturbing movie. At some points in the narrative, the film almost feels like a classic horror. The story revolves around an introverted girl grieving her father’s death. While she is living with her unstable mother, her estranged uncle comes to live with them and begins a violent series of events that are eerie and highly twisted. The movie is a critically acclaimed work by the director and a must-watch.
7. Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance
Being the first movie of the Vengeance Trilogy, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance opened doors of success for Park Chan-Wook. A noir crime thriller film, this movie revolves around the downfall of a deaf-mute factory worker as he tries to earn money for his sister’s kidney transplant. It is one of the best movies on the cycle of revenge, violence, and salvation. Twisted, bizarre, and violent, it gives you goosebumps not once but every time you watch it.
8. Lady Vengeance
Another noir psychological thriller by Park, Lady Vengeance, is the third and final film of the Vengeance Trilogy. It revolves around a woman who decides to take revenge on the man for throwing her in prison for a murder she did not commit. Like the other movies belonging to the trilogy, this film is gripping, owing to its dark, disturbing, and thrilling narrative. The cinematography and background score of the film compliment it perfectly, making it a brilliant piece of art.
9. The Moon Is….The Sun’s Dream
Park Chan-Wook’s directorial debut, The Moon Is….The Sun’s Dream is a lesser-known romantic thriller that the director himself disowns. The story revolves around a daring gangster who falls in love with his boss’ mistress and runs away with her. Even though his inexperience shows in the film, the movie is still a decent watch for viewers who like dark romance packed with action.
10. Trio
Park Chan-Wook’s second feature film, Trio, is a black comedy tale of violence and vengeance. The film revolves around the trio of a suicidal saxophonist who has just found out about his wife’s fidelity, a single mother who wants to become a nun, and a violent psychopath. Even though it is a lesser-known and less acclaimed movie by the director, it is still brilliant in portraying a creepy, thrilling narrative.
