Synopsis
Forgotten is a psychological thriller from South Korea, issued in Netflix in 2017, that received worldwide recognition owing to its deeply emotional plot and phenomenal storytelling. It is directed and written by Jang Hang-jun. The film begins from what seems like a normal mystery, revealing layers of psychological intricacy featuring a mixture of suspense, deception, and trauma.
Kang Ha-neul plays Jin-seok, a young and bright man who is sensitive by nature. He has recently shifted in a new house along with his family, consisting of his elder brother Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol), mother, and father. The family as a unit carries with them an anxiety-laden vibe, and Jin-seok in particular, is medicated for anxiety, hinting towards an unpredictably fragile psyche.
Shortly after moving places, a new series of strange events capture Jin-seok attention. He begins sensing sounds of strange entities during the night, his father and the apprehensive gloomy room that nobody is allowed to enter adds onto the mystery. Even though the family appears caring, Jin-seok starts sensing some underlying sickness.
Yoo-seok is kidnapped one rainy night while Jin-seok watches. Their family is distraught, but the police seem to investigate the case halfheartedly. Then, on the nineteenth day, Yoo-seok is returned, but Jin-seok knows something is off. His brother acts strange, shows physical changes, and demonstrates knowledge or mannerisms that he hadn’t shown before.
As Jin-seok looks deeper, he becomes more paranoid. Now, he begins to think that Yoo-seok is not truly his brother and that the rest of his family is keeping secrets from him. In the end, he figures out something horrifying: the family he thought he had are not his real family, and they are deceiving him as part of a complex psychological experiment.
In a completely new setting, a psychiatric hospital, Jin-seok learns that he isn’t in 1997 but in 2017, meaning he is now in his thirties and has lost two decades of memories. In a stunning twist, it is revealed that the family, the house, everything was part of a staged experiment to help him recover suppressed memories tied to a murder.
As a teen, Jin-seok is informed that he and his then brother, Yoo-seok, killed brutally a girl who was born to a pharmacist. To save his brother, Yoo-seok falsely confessed to the murder. He was imprisoned and died later on. The girl’s father, who is now pretending to be Jin-seok’s father in the fake family, performed the experiment in trying to make Jin-seok remember the events of that night so he can recall the events and justice can be served accordingly.
In the last part of the film, Jin-seok retrieves his lost memories and reexperiences the traumatic events of that night. He recollects that it was not Yoo-seok who was the killer, but rather himself, Jin-seok, in a rage fit of being emotionally neglected and manipulated. Gripped by overwhelming guilt, he opts to turn himself in to the police, thus ending the psychological experiment while claiming the responsibility he is morally bound to.
Cast & Crew
Kang Ha-neul as Jin-seok
Kang Ha-neul’s tour de force performance as Jin-seok captures all the emotions of the character. His portrayal jin-seok shifts from anxious and confused, towards broken and enlightened, showcasing the transformation of a man struggling against the darkest shadows of his past. His nuanced performance is the heart of the film.
Kim Mu-yeol as Yoo-seok / Fake Brother
Watching the character of Yoo-seok evolve gives an insight to his portrayal as a loving brother who transforms into a suspicions stranger. He delivers an unsettling performance that balances warmth with menace, constantly keeping the viewer guessing about his true identity and intentions.
Moon Sung-keun as Fake Father / Pharmacist
Moon Sung-keun’s character is the mastermind of the psychological experiment, portraying a deeply tragic figure whose motivations stem from profound loss and a desire for revenge. His performance adds emotional depth and moral complexity to the film.
Director & Writer: Jang Hang-jun
Jang Hang-jun’s screenplay is exceptionally tight and layered. The direction adds to the film’s overarching sense of constant dread and uncertainty. He expertly manages the pacing, always revealing just the right amount of information to maintain tension and suspense, while keeping the truth shrouded until the most explosive moment. The blend of psychological horror and emotional storytelling is what sets Forgotten apart from standard thrillers.
Cinematography: Kim Il-yeon
Film visuals emphasize a mood of paranoia and disorientation. The gloomy shadows and dark lighting create a sense of mental instability and claustrophobia, ands these hazy, disorienting sharp angles intensify these feelings.
Music: Kim Tae-Seong
Like the rest of the film, the music is kept sinister and stark. The score is disturbing yet calm. It includes dissonant melodies and unsettling harmonies, contributing to the gripping and unnerving feeling of the film. The music is never too overpowering, yet always makes its presence felt.
IMDb Ratings and Critical Reception
Forgotten currently holds a 7.4 score on IMDb, an, for a psychological thriller, especially one with such intricate and multi-layered narrative, is quite the feat. It was noted for its strong, emotionally-charged performances, its intricate plot structure, and evocative themes woven into the storyline.
Critics noted its distinct narrative and clever script to be its strongest appeal, also drawing parallels to movies such as Shutter Island and Memento. Forgotten, however, weaves a uniquely Korean emotional and cultural lens into the narrative. Centering the mystery on memory, guilt, and familial bonds gives the film an intimate touch, even when dealing with broader psychological themes.
Many fans highly praised the film’s twists as clever, maintaining the film demands your focus all the way until the very last scene for full payoff. It’s one of the few thrillers that, in addition to the unanticipated twists, the additional twists also add further depth to the story, making the experience far more enjoyable during multiple viewings.
Many people seemed to be caught off guard, most likely due to the fact that the sudden change in pacing from suspense to reflection was jarring and would likely throw off most of the audience. Though, this type of pacing change was intentional and serves a purpose, focusing more on what the mystery does to people rather than what the mystery is.
Cultural and Legacy Impact
Every film has its audience, and even if Forgotten does not reach the popularity of other Korean films such as Train to Busan or Parasite, its intricate tapestry of psychological elements easily secures its place as a masterclass of the genre. Forgotten also served to bring attention to the depth and complexity of South Korean cinema, especially its thrillers.
Forgotten also stands out for its blend of other genres such as horror, thriller, family, and even elements of tragedy. Having multiple genres blended together serves to tell a deeper story, and this speaks to a larger audience rather than mere suspense.
The film’s moral intricacies—revealing complex layers of conscience—are increasingly relevant in today’s socio-political landscape. So is the harsh nature of self-reflection. Forgotten examines the emotional depths of confronting one’s self-loathing, the agony of remembering, and the burden of regret. It poses troubling questions: Is it possible to be both a victim and a perpetrator of one’s self? Is it possible for memory to safeguard or annihilate?
Forgotten ranks among the most unappreciated treasures of South Korean cinema. Forgotten is a film that has the power to resonate with people for a long time, encouraging consideration of how memory, truth, and identity are inextricably intertwined—something that can be superficially elusive. South Korea’s cinematic prowess is showcased in the film’s captivating story, superb acting, and heart-wrenching conclusion.
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