Secret Sunshine
Seen it?2007 | 143 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Silence of the Lambs, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 23 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Korean, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Shin-ae moves to her recently late husband’s hometown. Despite her efforts to settle in this unfamiliar and too-normal place, she finds that she can’t fit in. After a sudden tragedy, Shin-ae turns to Christianity to relieve her pain, but when even this is not permitted, she wages a war against God.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Cannes award: 60th Cannes Film Festival: Best Actress. Also nominated for 1 more Cannes award. Plus 23 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$12 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 45K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lee Chang-dong
- Jeon Do-yeonLee Shin-ae
- Song Kang-hoKim Jong-chan
- Jo Young-jinPark Do-seop
- Seon Jeong-yeopJun
- Kim Young-jaeLee Min-ki
- Park Myung-shinFemale Missionary
- Cha Mi-kyungBoutique Owner
- Oh Man-seokPastor
- Jang Hye-jinPark Myung-sook
- Lee Sung-minCook