Genre: Drama/Mystery

Runtime: 2hr 28min

Language: Korean

IMDb: 7.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

Metacritic: 95%

Wikipedia: Link

Director: Lee Chang-dong

Cast

Jeon Jong-seo, Steven Yeun, Yoo Ah-in, Moon Sung-geun, Ok Ja-yeon, Lee Bong-ryun, Kim Shin-rok, Song Duk-ho, Lee Joong-ok, Park Seung-tae, Choi Seung-ho

Plot

Burning is a South Korean psychological drama directed by Lee Chang-dong. The film centers on Jong-su, a young aspiring writer from a rural town, who encounters two enigmatic individuals, Haemi and Ben. Haemi, a childhood acquaintance, reconnects with Jong-su, and they strike up a romantic relationship. When she travels to Africa, she asks Jong-su to look after her cat and returns with a mysterious new friend, Ben.

As Jong-su becomes increasingly suspicious of Ben’s mysterious wealth and Haemi’s unexplained disappearance, he delves into a disturbing mystery that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. The film explores themes of class struggle, alienation, and obsession as Jong-su’s life becomes entangled with the secretive world of Haemi and Ben.

Burning is a slow-burning and atmospheric character study that keeps viewers in suspense, raising questions about the nature of truth and the human desire to find meaning in an increasingly disconnected world. It’s a thought-provoking and critically acclaimed film that offers a lingering sense of unease.