JUNG_E (2023): A Forgettable Borefest

JUNG_E is a shockingly dull and disorganized South Korean sci-fi film that fails to deliver on any of its promises. Its irony is that a story about AI could be so poorly written, it almost seems as if it was penned by a machine itself.

This film is set in post-apocalyptic era (22nd century) . Climate change has caused major destruction to the Earth, so humankind has been forced to relocate to space. A war breaks out and lasts for decades, and Yun Jung-yi (Kim Hyun-joo) rises to become a renowned mercenary and military strategist. However, one failed mission leaves her in a comatose state.

To create a super soldier, a military A.I. development firm decides to clone her brain. 35 years later, Jung-yi’s daughter, Yun Seo-hyun (Kang Soo-youn), works as the head researcher of the JUNG_E project. Despite multiple cloning and simulation experiments, there is little progress, and the company chooses to focus on another project. Seo-hyun then decides to save JUNG_E.

This sci-fi drama is a far cry from the high-octane action films one may expect. The narrative revolves around the strained relationship between a mother and daughter, and this is really the only aspect that stands out. The themes of AI products, human values, and war are only superficially explored and do not offer much more than surface-level commentary.

JUNG_E is a major disappointment from Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan, Hellbound). I'm not saying the idea for this film was bad, as I believe ideas are always value-neutral until they are executed. And the idea for this film was poorly executed. It's a real missed opportunity for what could have been an intriguing story.

JUNG_E feels like a departure from his usual mastery of tension and heartbreaking drama. It's clear that something got lost in the script development, as the film's ambition to tackle too many topics in just 99 minutes leads to a bloated and pretentious mess. If Yeon had chosen to focus more on character-driven drama and thrilling action, the movie could have been much more successful. But, I might be wrong.

Kang Soo-youn's performance in this otherwise forgettable film was nothing short of brilliant, her presence felt from the moment she appeared. It's a tragedy that her final project had to be so lackluster, but her talent still shines through. Rest In Power, Kang Soo-youn.

*Actually, I have something to say about the CGI and stuff, but... No. 

Overall, JUNG_E is a laborious and tedious sci-fi drama that attempts to go above and beyond but ultimately falls flat. With a runtime of 99 minutes, this film felt like an eternity. Boring.