Oldboy (2003 film)

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. It is based on the Japanese manga of the same name written by Garon Tsuchiya and illustrated by Nobuaki Minegishi. The film tells the story of Oh Dae-su, a businessman who is imprisoned in a hotel-like room for 15 years without knowing his captor or the reason for his incarceration.

Upon his unexpected release, Oh Dae-su is given five days to discover the truth behind his imprisonment. He is aided by a young sushi chef named Mi-do and faces a series of increasingly violent and psychologically disturbing challenges in his quest for revenge.

The film is the second installment of Park Chan-wook's "Vengeance Trilogy," preceded by Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and followed by Lady Vengeance (2005). Oldboy explores themes of revenge, isolation, manipulation, memory, and the cyclical nature of violence.

The film was a critical and commercial success, receiving widespread acclaim for its direction, cinematography, acting (particularly Choi Min-sik's portrayal of Oh Dae-su), and its shocking and thought-provoking narrative. It won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and has since become a cult classic, influencing subsequent films and popular culture.

Oldboy is known for its distinctive visual style, featuring long takes, unconventional camera angles, and graphic violence. Its memorable score, composed by Jo Yeong-wook, is also highly regarded.

The film was remade in 2013 by Spike Lee, starring Josh Brolin. However, the remake received largely negative reviews and failed to capture the critical acclaim or cultural impact of the original.