Burning
Seen it?2018 | 148 min | Mystery, Drama, Thriller
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), it collected a shelf of major awards and audiences rate it highly (7.4 out of 10). 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 likes to be kept guessing. If you loved I'm Thinking of Ending Things or Following, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in Korean, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Deliveryman Jong-su is out on a job when he runs into Hae-mi, a girl who once lived in his neighborhood. She asks if he'd mind looking after her cat while she's away on a trip to Africa. On her return, she introduces to Jong-su an enigmatic young man named Ben, who she met during her trip. One day Ben tells Jong-su about his most unusual hobby.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 91 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Cannes awards: Cannes Film Festival: Best Music, International Cinephile Society Cannes Awards: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 1 Critics' Choice Award and 1 Independent Spirit Award. Plus 31 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$8 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 255K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
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Following Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Dry
Sunday Safe BetAnother thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Under the Silver Lake
Weeknight WatchAnother drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Lost Highway Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lee Chang-dong
- Yoo Ah-inLee Jong-su
- Steven YeunBen
- Jeon Jong-seoShin Hae-mi
- Kim Soo-kyungYeon-ju
- Choe Seung-hoLee Yong-seok
- Moon Sung-keunLawyer
- Min Bok-giJudge
- Ban Hye-raJong-su's mother
- Cha Mi-kyungHae-mi's mother
- Lee Bong-ryeonHae-mi's Sister