Well Go USA
Written and Directed by JUNG Byung-gi
South Korea, 2012, 120 minutes
Confession of Murder is an outstanding action packed mystery thriller. It debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD today, Tuesday, April 15th from Well Go USA Entertainment.
Between 1986 and 1990, a serial killer committed ten murders. All of his victims were females. There was another woman who disappeared but whose remains were never found; she is believed to probably have been his eleventh victim. The killer was almost captured by Lt. CHOI Hyung-gu (JEONG Jae-yeong, Moss, Our Sunhi), the lead detective on the case, but he got away, leaving CHOI with a physical reminder of their encounter.
Police Lt. CHOI (JEONG Jae-yeong) is hounded by the media |
Fifteen years later, after the statute of limitations has run out on the last murder, a book comes out in which the author, a handsome young man named LEE Do-hyuk (PARK Si-Hoo), claims himself to be the killer. His book contains details that seemingly could only have been known by the murderer. He claims that he wrote the book to repent of his crimes. Over three million copies are sold within a month, and a media frenzy ensues. For some in the public, especially younger women, LEE becomes a hero of sorts, an idol.
But for some of the relatives of his victims, LEE must be punished for what he did, statute of limitations be damned. A group of five band together to met out their own form of justice.
LEE Do-hyuk (PARK Si-Hoo) publicizes his book |
The situation becomes complicated and rather cloudy when another man who calls himself "J" announces that LEE is a phony and that he, "J," is the real killer. Detective CHOI finds himself caught in the middle of this circus.
Confession of Murder is one of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time. I'm reluctant to write much more about it because I don't want to give anything away, unintentionally or otherwise. It seems obvious that either LEE or "J" is the murderer, but how things play out involves one of the best plot twists I've ever come across. Truly imaginative, yet both intelligent and believable.
And there are some terrific extended action scenes. Early on, in a flashback, CHOI pursues the suspect down streets, through alleyways and across rooftops. Later in the film there's an adrenaline pumping fight between two characters on car moving at high speed. That's right, outside, on the car, not in it!
CHOI (left) confronts LEE |
According to IMDb, Confession of Murder is JUNG Byung-gi's feature film debut as both a writer and director. His only previous credit is as director of the documentary Action Boys (2008), which is about some young men trying to become stuntmen in the South Korean film industry. JUNG has demonstrated remarkable talent in Confession and looks to be a bright light who hopefully will shine for many years to come.
Bonus Materials Include:
- a Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
- Interviews with the Cast and Crew
- Trailer
ACF Rating: 4 out of 4 stars; highest recommendation for this really great thriller.