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The Age of Shadows
밀정
2016 140 min South Korea 12+
★7.7
Action, Thriller, History
Director: Kim Jee-woon
Trailers
Description
Set in the late 1920s, The Age of Shadows follows the cat-and-mouse game that unfolds between a group of resistance fighters trying to bring in explosives from Shanghai to destroy key Japanese facilities in Seoul, and Japanese agents trying to stop them.
Budget:
$9.62M
US Gross:
$541,719
Worldwide:
$53.17M
Starring
Song Kang-ho
Actor
Gong Yoo
Actor
Han Ji-min
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2017
— Best Original Score
Asian Film Academy 2017
— Best Cinematography
Asian Film Academy 2017
— Best Picture
Key opinion
The Age of Shadows is widely recognized as a visually sophisticated and emotionally resonant period thriller that masterfully depicts the moral ambiguity of the Japanese occupation of Korea. While most critics praise its strong performances and atmospheric tension, some viewers find the plot density and length challenging for non-specialized audiences.
| Acting | Song Kang-ho delivers a compelling and psychologically complex performance that anchors the film's moral ambiguity. | |
| Production | The production design, including period-accurate costumes and detailed interiors, provides a high-quality visual foundation for the historical narrative. | |
| Direction | Kim Jee-woon's direction effectively creates a palpable sense of tension and high-stakes historical drama. | |
| Emotion | The film's exploration of loyalty and the brutality of life under occupation creates a profound and lasting emotional impact. | |
| Runtime | The 140-minute runtime and complex plotting reward fans of historical thrillers, but are seen by others as an exhausting or confusing experience. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is praised for its deep psychological stakes by some, while others find the narrative structure lacks sufficient clarity. |