“Midnight” (미드나이트)

By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
January 14, 2023

☆☆☆☆
Kim Kyung-mi (played by Jin Ki-joo)
Do-shik (played by Wi Ha-joon)
Jong-tak (played by Park Hoon)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

“Midnight” is a fast-paced thriller that hits all the jump scares: A mother and daughter who cannot hear or speak. An insatiable serial killer. A former Marine trying to save his younger sister. A bunch of bumbling police officers who literally don’t see what’s going on in front of them. A crowd of do-gooders who are quick to believe the smooth-talking murderer instead of questioning why his “sister” is bleeding and visibly frightened of him. (And even if the two had been related, why would anyone think it’s OK for him to to abuse a family member?)

There’s not much of a plot. And what there is of it is predictable. But I was on the edge of my seat the entire time as the main characters outsmarted each other, while literally running around Seoul in such a vigorous manner that they weren’t the only ones panting by the time the credits rolled.

The film is a testament to the strength of the powerless and their will to survive.

The cast is stellar, with Jin Ki-joo (“Come and Hug Me“) as the young woman being stalked by a psychopath (Wi Ha-joon of “Romance is a Bonus Book“). Gil Hae-yeon is sooooo good at playing despicable characters (in dramas such as “Beyond Evil“). But here, she projects poignant vulnerability and demonstrates the will of a determined mother who will do everything to protect her child.

Honestly, this film wasn’t even on my radar. But when I decided I wasn’t going to watch “Connect” for a variety of reasons (the primary being I’m a scaredy cat), this movie was the perfect compromise. Scary, but not overly so. It’s more of a psychological thriller than a gross-out spectacle.

Cast: “Midnight” was released 2½ months before Wi appeared in “Squid Game.” He and Gil Hae- yeon had previously acted together as Son Ye-jin’s brother and mother, respectively, in “Something in the Rain.”

Airdates: The 103-minute film released on June 30, 2021 in South Korean theatres and via the streaming platform TVING. I watched this on Prime Video.

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