Plot

In the dark and gritty world of Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy," protagonist Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) finds himself locked in a dingy motel room with no recollection of how he got there. A successful businessman with a loving wife, Dae-su is suddenly thrust into a desolate existence without any answers or explanation. As the days blend together, Dae-su's desperation grows, and he becomes fixated on uncovering the truth behind his imprisonment. The only clue he has to go on is a cryptic message scrawled on the wall: "Why do you only think of yourself?" This enigmatic phrase serves as a catalyst for Dae-su's transformation from a helpless victim to a vengeful force, hell-bent on seeking justice. Upon his release after 15 years in captivity, Dae-su sets out to exact revenge on those responsible for his ordeal. His quest for answers and vengeance becomes an all-consuming obsession, driving him to confront the dark underbelly of human nature. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Dae-su's actions become increasingly brutal and violent, blurring the lines between right and wrong. Meanwhile, a young woman named Mi-do (Gang Hye-jung) is introduced, who becomes embroiled in Dae-su's quest for vengeance. Her own dark past and mysterious connection to Dae-su's captors only add to the complexity of the story, as the two characters' paths intersect in a web of deceit and corruption. Throughout "Oldboy," Park Chan-wook's direction is marked by a keen sense of tension and unease, as well as a willingness to push boundaries and challenge social norms. The film's exploration of themes such as trauma, identity, and the human condition is both haunting and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the world of contemporary cinema.

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