Review | Cannes 2023: Hopeless movie review – Song Joong-ki, Hong Xa-bin star in brutal Korean crime thriller by first-time filmmaker Kim Chang-hoon
- An electric crime yarn set in the violent fictional South Korean city of Myeongan, Hopeless is a story of two ‘brothers’ who recognise something in the other
- While too ambitious at times, Kim Chang-hoon’s impressive debut feature simmers with tension – and is certainly not for the squeamish
4/5 stars
Hopeless is the impressive debut feature from South Korean writer-director Kim Chang-hoon. His may be a name we’re drawn to in the future, judging by this electric crime yarn set in the fictional South Korean city of Myeongan, which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
In Myeongan, violence is everywhere: on the streets, in the workplace, and worst of all, in the home.
The story follows 17-year-old Yeon-gyu (Hong Xa-bin), who lives with his mother, her husband and his daughter.
While his stepfather is an alcoholic brute whose failing business sees him take out his frustrations on Yeon-gyu, the kindly youngster has a soft spot for his stepsister Hayan (Kim Hyoung-seo).
Dreaming of a better existence, he’s trying to save money to move with his mother to the Netherlands. “They say everyone lives a good life there,” he says. But soon enough, he’s become embroiled with a local gang that steals mopeds and operates as ruthless loan sharks.
