Memories of Murder (2003) - Movies Like Se7en | Filmiway

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Why This Matches the "Se7en" Aesthetic

Often called the "Korean Se7en," this masterpiece shares the DNA of desperate detectives hunting an elusive killer in the rain.

Memories of Murder

2003•Bong Joon-ho•120 min•R

The Experience

In a small Korean province in 1986, two detectives—one instinctual, one analytical—struggle with the case of multiple young women being found raped and murdered in drainage ditches. As they sink deeper into the investigation, their methods become more desperate and their morals more compromised. Bong Joon-ho's breakthrough film is a haunting look at incompetence and the crushing weight of failure, ending with one of the most chilling final shots in cinema history.

Cast & Crew

Director: Bong Joon-ho

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung

Production Details

Budget: 2.8 million

Box Office: 26 million

Age Rating:R
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SE7EN DNA SCORE

96
NOIR DARKNESS INDEX
8.1
IMDB RATING
PSYCHOLOGICAL GRIT LEVELHIGH

A transcendent masterpiece redefining narrative complexity.

Clean Content Record

Memories of Murder: No sexual content or graphic scenes present in this film.

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INTENSITY GRAPH

Narrative Analysis
Discovery(30%)
Investigation(55%)
Suspects(75%)
Torture(85%)
Final Look(95%)
Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Crime: 45%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Mystery: 35%Drama: 20%Drama: 20%Drama: 20%Drama: 20%Drama: 20%Drama: 20%

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CINEMATIC DNA

Genre Analysis
Crime
45%
Mystery
35%
Drama
20%

Genre DNA Distribution

  • Crime: 45%
  • Mystery: 35%
  • Drama: 20%

Movie Intensity Arc

  • Minute 10: Discovery (30/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 35: Investigation (55/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 70: Suspects (75/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 100: Torture (85/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 130: Final Look (95/100 Intensity)

Community Reviews

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FAQ About Memories of Murder

Common questions about Memories of Murder, its ending, and its place in noir cinema history.

Is Memories of Murder based on a true story?

Yes, it is based on the Hwaseong serial murders, Korea's first confirmed serial killer case, which remained unsolved for decades until DNA evidence emerged in 2019.

Did they ever catch the real killer?

Yes, in 2019 (years after the movie), DNA evidence identified Lee Choon-jae as the killer, who was already in prison for another murder.

What does the ending mean?

The detective looks directly at the camera to 'see' the killer, who Bong Joon-ho believed would be watching the movie in a theater somewhere, creating a chilling connection.

Why is it ranked #2?

It perfectly captures the 'justice denied' and 'incompetence' themes that make Se7en so terrifying, blending dark humor with crushing tragedy.

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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team

Expert analysis of noir & procedural thrillers

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