What is the twist in Oldboy?

The twist reveals that the antagonist, Woo-jin, manipulated Dae-su into falling in love with his own daughter.

Is the octopus scene real?

Yes, actor Choi Min-sik actually ate four live octopuses to get the shot right.

Why was he imprisoned for 15 years?

To allow his daughter to grow up to be an adult woman.

Does Dae-su know the truth at the end?

It is ambiguous. He visits a hypnotist to erase the memory, but his final smile is open to interpretation.

Oldboy (2003) - Best Revenge Movies

Name: Oldboy
Director: Park Chan-wook
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Action
Released: 2003
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung

Trailer in 4s

Why This Revenge is Essential

Revenge Intensity: 99/100

A masterpiece of psychological revenge cinema. This Korean classic presents a deeply disturbing mystery wrapped in relentless brutality.

Oldboy

2003•Park Chan-wook•120 min•R

The Experience

After 15 years of mysterious imprisonment, Oh Dae-su is released and seeks vengeance against his unknown captor. A masterpiece of psychological revenge cinema presenting a deeply disturbing mystery wrapped in relentless brutality.

Cast & Crew

Director: Park Chan-wook

Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung

Production Details

Budget: $3 million

Box Office: $15 million

Age Rating:R

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REVENGE INTENSITY SCORE

REVENGE INTENSITY INDEX

8.4

IMDB RATING

VENGEANCE BRUTALITY LEVELEXTREME

A brutal and devastating revenge masterpiece with visceral violence, profound moral complexity, and the soul-crushing cost of vengeance.

Content Advisory

Contains: Mature Content

1:24:00 → 1:28:00

⚔️

Explicit Violence

Extreme

1:45:00 → 1:48:00

🔞

Sexual Content

High

Viewer Discretion Advised

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INTENSITY GRAPH
Intensity Graph
Shows plot intensity
throughout the movie. Higher peaks
indicate more intense moments.

Narrative Analysis

The Abduction(45%)

15 Years Later(60%)

Corridor Fight(89%)

The Penthouse(75%)

The Tongue(99%)

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CINEMATIC DNA
Genre DNA Breakdown
Visual representation of the movie's
genre composition. Larger segments
indicate dominant genre elements.

Genre Analysis

Mystery

40%

Thriller

35%

Action

25%

Community Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions About OldboyFAQ About Oldboy

Deep dive into Oldboy with insider knowledge, production details, and insights about this brutal revenge masterpiece.

What is the core premise of Oldboy?

Oldboy follows Oh Dae-su, an ordinary man inexplicably imprisoned in a sealed hotel room for fifteen brutal years with no explanation, who is then suddenly released and embarks on a violent quest to discover who imprisoned him and why—leading to one of cinema's most devastating revelations.

Why is Oldboy considered a masterpiece?

The film is renowned for its iconic single-take corridor fight sequence, its masterful blend of visceral action and psychological horror, and its shocking twist ending that completely recontextualizes the entire narrative—making it a cornerstone of modern revenge cinema.

Who directed Oldboy?

South Korean visionary Park Chan-wook directed this genre-defining film as the second installment in his acclaimed Vengeance Trilogy, showcasing his signature style of stylized violence and moral complexity.

Is Oldboy part of a trilogy?

Yes—it forms the centerpiece of Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy, alongside Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance, though the films are thematically connected rather than narratively linked.

What themes define Oldboy?

The film explores profound themes of revenge's psychological toll, the futility of vengeance, the nature of guilt and redemption, and how the pursuit of revenge can destroy both the avenger and the target in equally devastating ways.

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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team

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Oldboy (2003) - Best Revenge Movies | Filmiway