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Oldboy
2013 104 min United States of America R 18+
★5.6
Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Action
Director: Spike Lee
💬 Based on the comic
«Old Boy»
byGaron Tsuchiya
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Teaser
Teaser
Description
A man has only three and a half days and limited resources to discover why he was imprisoned in a nondescript room for 20 years without any explanation.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$2.19M
Worldwide:
$5.2M
Starring
Josh Brolin
Actor
Elizabeth Olsen
Actor
Samuel L. Jackson
Actor
Awards
4 nominations total
Key opinion
Spike Lee's 2013 adaptation of Oldboy is widely polarized, with many viewers viewing it as an unnecessary, inferior imitation of the 2003 cult classic. While some appreciate it as a serviceable thriller that functions as a standalone genre hybrid, critics frequently cite its simplified plot, uneven performances, and lack of the original's thematic resonance as major flaws.
| Adaptation | The film functions as a near scene-by-scene replication of the original, leading many critics to dismiss it as an artistically redundant endeavor. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative simplifies the complex motivations of the original, reducing a profound story of revenge to a superficial and occasionally illogical plot contrivance. | |
| Direction | The iconic hammer fight scene is retained but criticized for failing to improve upon or match the visceral intensity of the original version. | |
| Acting | Josh Brolin's lead performance is highly divisive; supporters find his portrayal of a vengeful protagonist convincing and physically imposing, while detractors view it as lacking the necessary emotional depth. | |
| Emotion | Opinions on the film's overall effectiveness are split, with some praising it as a solid, standalone thriller for uninitiated audiences, while others reject it as a bland, generic Hollywood product. |