Memories of Murder

2003, Mystery & thriller/Crime, 2h 9m

79 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

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
Byun Hee-bong
Sgt. Koo Hee-bong
Park Noh-shik
Baek Kwang-ho
Park Hae-il
Park Hyeon-gyu
Ko Seo-hie
Officer Kwon Kwi-ok
Jeon Mi-sun
Kwok Seol-yung
Seo Young-hwa
Eon Deok-nyeo
Ryu Tae-ho
Jo Byeong-sun
Choi Jong-ryul
Doo-man's father
Lee Jae-eung
boy in movie opening
Kim Joo-ryeong
nurse
Son Jin-hwan
detective colleague
Kwon Byung-gil
Doctor Noh
Yoo Seung-mok
journalist
Jung In-sun
girl in ending scene
Park Hyun-young
Yang-ho's teacher
Yun Ga-hyeon
psychic
Bong Joon Ho
Director
Bong Joon Ho
Screenwriter
Shim Sung-bo
Screenwriter
Cha Seung-jae
Producer
Jong-yun No
Producer
Kim Moo-ryung
Producer
Lee Kang-bok
Executive Producer
Kim Hyeong-gu
Cinematography
Kim Seonmin
Film Editing
Tarô Iwashiro
Original Music
Ryu Seong-hui
Art Director
Yang Hong-sam
Set Decoration
Kim You-sun
Costume Design
Lee Kang-san
Lighting
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Critic Reviews for Memories of Murder

All Critics (79) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Kristy Puchko Pajiba Full Review… Barry Hertz Globe and Mail Full Review… Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Danny Leigh Financial Times Full Review… Bilge Ebiri Village Voice Full Review… Daisy Leigh-Phippard Screen Queens Full Review… Steph Green WeLoveCinema Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Full Review… David Harris Spectrum Culture Full Review… DarkSkyLady DarkSkyLady Reviews Full Review… Stefan Pape Common Sense Media
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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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