Phantom (2023), A Heart-Stopping Mystery Thrill Ride

"Phantom" is a heart-pounding, mystery-filled thrill ride set against a stunningly captured backdrop of 1930s Korean under Japanese occupation, with Lee Hae-young's signature visual flair guiding an electrifying cast of memorable characters.

Inspired by Chinese writer Mai Jia's 2009 novel "The Wind," the tale begins with a botched assassination attempt by an underground anti-Japanese organization on the first day of the new Japanese resident-general's arrival in Seoul. In response, the Japanese colonial government captures five suspects and sequesters them to an isolated hotel on a coastal cliff in order to locate the espionage agent, known only by the pseudonym "Phantom," within twenty-four hours.

Murayama Junji (Seol Kyung-gu), an elite Japanese police officer from a respected family, is one of the suspects. Park Cha-kyung (Lee Ha-nee) is from a wealthy Korean family, and works in the police bureau's communications department, while Mr. Cheon (Suh Hyun-woo) is a Korean codebreaker. Yuriko (Park So-dam) appears to be a powerful secretary to a high-ranking officer in the Japanese colonial government, but is actually Korean. Mahara Kaito (Park Hae-soo), the security guard chief of the new Japanese resident-general, leads the mission to expose the spy network. As the Japanese authorities watch closely, the suspects search each other's belongings, looking for clues to clear their names. Kaito piles on the pressure in a dining room with evidence and testimonies from the suspects, and the atmosphere quickly becomes chaotic with shoot-outs, fist fights and even hand grenades erupting, setting fires and cutting the power in the building. The resistance group is determined to complete their mission - to assassinate their high-stakes target - and the story doesn't end until the thrills reach their peak.

Under the visionary direction of Lee, the director behind the acclaimed films "Believer" (2018) and "The Silenced" (2015), "Phantom" boasts a captivating storyline that builds suspense through its multi-faceted characters. With a mix of impressive acting, sleek costumes and dynamic action sequences, the classic, elegant atmosphere of the gorgeous hotel is further enhanced by the dynamic camera angle, adding depth to the characters' arcs.

Lee Hae-young's aesthetic eye is on full display in this film, most notably in the climactic battle brilliantly staged between two theatre curtains, their contrasting green and red hues offering a visual representation of the battle between good and evil. His skill is further showcased through the perfect shot composition to make his protagonists look cool. Lee Hanee and Park So-dam are the real MVPs, the duo's charisma and physicality meshing to create an unstoppable force.

Despite the film shifting gears from a whodunit to a high-octane spy-action flick, its visual excellence remains intact. There are still slip-ups with the aim of the action sequences, with the main conflict of the story beginning with a misfired shot, though not by the antagonist. However, this doesn't take away from the fact that the director is so skillful when it comes to transitioning between different genres. Whether it's a slow mystery or an adrenaline-pumping shootout, they are both managed with mastery.

This film also shows truly great performances. Sol Kyung-gu masterfully depicts the complex emotion of Junji, a multilingual individual whose true identity is shrouded in a tragic family saga. Lee Ha-nee and Park So-dam, two strong-willed women, initially locked in an intense power struggle, soon form a close bond in the face of adversity. Armed with a willingness to fight, they demonstrate a proficiency in lethal combat.

The film examines the struggles of Korean independence fighters in a turbulent era, but rather than attempting to provide a comprehensive overview or impart a history lesson, it leaves the viewer pondering the idea of what it truly means to be a nation and a family in a crucial moment of life.