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Memories of Murder blends the familiar crime genre with social satire and comedy, capturing the all-too human desperation of its key characters. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

In 1986, Park (Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-ha) are two simple-minded detectives assigned to a double murder investigation in a South Korean province. But when the murderer strikes several more times with the same pattern, the detectives realize that they are chasing the country's first documented serial killer. Relying on only their basic skills and tools, Park and Jo attempt to piece together the clues and solve the case in this thriller based on true events.

Cast & Crew

Song Kang-ho
Det. Park Doo-Man
Kim Sang-kyung
Det. Seo Tae-Yoon
Kim Roi-ha
Det. Cho Yong-Koo
Song Jae-ho
Sgt. Shin Dong-Chul
Byeon Heui-bong
Sgt. Koo Hee-Bong
Park Noh-shik
Baek
Park Hae-il
Park
Seo-hie Ko
Officer Kwon Kwi-ok
Mi-Seon Jeon
Kwok Seol-yung
Young-hwa Seo
Eon Deok-nyeo
Bong Joon-ho
Director
Bong Joon-ho
Screenwriter
Sung Bo Shim
Screenwriter
Seoung-Jae Cha
Producer
Moo Ryung Kim
Producer
Jong-yun No
Producer
Kang-bok Lee
Executive Producer
Hyeong-Gu Kim
Cinematographer
Kim Seonmin
Film Editor
Tarô Iwashiro
Original Music
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News & Interviews for Memories of Murder

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Critic Reviews for Memories of Murder

All Critics (69) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (4)

  • Memories of Murder is precisely what you'd expect from Bong.

    December 3, 2020 | Full Review…

    Kristy Puchko

    Pajiba

  • Tracing a long, frustrating, and at times darkly funny investigation into the crimes of a rural South Korean serial killer, Memories of Murder is a thrilling and stomach-churning ride.

    October 24, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

    Barry Hertz

    Globe and Mail

  • Bong elevates every scene with his unbelievably assured filmmaking.

    October 19, 2020 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Brian Tallerico

    RogerEbert.com

  • Memories of Murder is a great satire of official laxity and arrogance, and its final scene is very chilling.

    September 11, 2020 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian

  • Most telling of all is that tone, the slow, deep nuancing of what once felt cartoonish, the antic slapstick that suddenly turns sombre. With Bong, you never see what's coming. And then you're face to face.

    September 9, 2020 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

    Danny Leigh

    Financial Times

  • How the hell does a film this tonally out there, with characters this lunkheaded and at times even cruel and hateful, manage to be so indescribably moving?

    August 15, 2017 | Full Review…

    Bilge Ebiri

    Village Voice
View All Critic Reviews (69)

Audience Reviews for Memories of Murder

  • Mar 07, 2015
    Bong Joon-ho uses a real Korean serial killer story as the basis for this always absorbing, terribly ironic and tragically hilarious crime drama that is both an intelligent social satire and a sharp political commentary, and he never ceases to surprise us until the very last shot.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2013
    A murder chronicle that engulfs you into its own mystique. A richly layered film with great cinematic devices, satirical and distant at first, desperate, elusive and suspenseful by the end.
    Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
  • Jun 12, 2013
    One of the best murder mystery films of all time! Based on a true story and an absolute must see!
    ZACHO D Super Reviewer
  • Apr 10, 2013
    Amidst civil war, an under-manned, under-funded, and unprepared police department are faced with a serial killer. Mindblowing!
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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