Film Review: Memories of Murder
A Landmark in Crime Cinema
In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two detectives assigned to investigate a double murder in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times following the same pattern, the detectives realize they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer.
Memories of Murder is more than just a murder mystery. It is a haunting exploration of human desperation, systemic failure, and the futility of justice in an indifferent world. Released in 2003, the film is based on the real-life Hwaseong serial murders in South Korea. The film’s cinematography, by Kim Hyung-koo, is remarkable. Bong Joon-ho employs long takes and wide-angle shots to convey the isolation of the characters and the difficulty of their task, evoking an unsettling sense of dread.
Memories of Murder should be considered a landmark in crime cinema, blending elements of suspense, drama, and social commentary into a film which is emotionally resonant as well as intellectually stimulating. Bong Joon-ho’s direction is impeccable, and the performances by the cast elevate the story beyond a crime thriller. It becomes a meditation on the human condition and the limits of the justice system.
As good as Parasite is, I personally believe Memories of Murder is even better and stands as Bong Joon-ho's best film.
