Oldboy

2013, Drama/Mystery & thriller, 1h 43m

151 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Suitably grim and bloody yet disappointingly safe and shallow, Spike Lee's Oldboy remake neither surpasses the original nor adds anything new to its impressive legacy. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Although his life is already in a downward spiral, things get much worse for advertising executive Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) ; while drunk one night, Joe is kidnapped and thrown into solitary confinement in a bizarre, hotellike room. For the next 20 years, Joe suffers unimaginable torment, but the motive and identity of his captor remain unknown. When he is inexplicably set free, Joe emerges with one goal: to find the person who stole two decades of his life.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Disturbing Images|Nudity|Some Graphic Sexuality|Strong Brutal Violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Spike Lee
  • Producer:
    Roy Lee, Doug Davison, Nathan Kahane
  • Writer:
    Mark Protosevich
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $2.2M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    FilmDistrict

Cast & Crew

Josh Brolin
Joe Doucett
Elizabeth Olsen
Marie Sebastian
Sharlto Copley
Adrian, The Stranger
Michael Imperioli
Chucky
Linda Emond
Edwina Burke
James Ransone
Dr. Tom Melby
Max Casella
James Prestley
Pom Klementieff
Haeng-Bok
Samuel L. Jackson
Chaney
Elvis Nolasco
Cortez
Rami Malek
Browning
Lance Reddick
Daniel Newcombe
Hannah Ware
Donna Hawthorne
Richard Portnow
Bernie Sharkey
Hannah Simone
Stephanie Lee
Ciera Payton
Capri
Spike Lee
Director
Mark Protosevich
Screenwriter
Roy Lee
Producer
Doug Davison
Producer
Nathan Kahane
Producer
Joseph Drake
Executive Producer
John Powers Middleton
Executive Producer
Peter Schlessel
Executive Producer
Sean Bobbitt
Cinematographer
Sharon Seymour
Production Design
Barry Alexander Brown
Film Editor
Roque Baños
Original Music
Ruth E. Carter
Costume Designer
Kim Taylor-Coleman
Casting
Peter Borck
Art Director
Maggie Martin
Set Decoration
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Critic Reviews for Oldboy

All Critics (151) | Top Critics (60) | Fresh (59) | Rotten (92)

View All Critic Reviews (151)

Audience Reviews for Oldboy

  • Dec 19, 2017
    The remake of the Korean mind fuck does not shy away from most of the unpleasant aspects of the original, but it's a leaner, less detailed version, which makes it somewhat easier to stomach. The result is sometimes unintentionally funny, sometimes brutal, but the mystery is engaging and the movie entertaining enough. In other words: if you know the original, you won't need this. If you don't, this might very well blow your mind.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Oct 23, 2016
    Watched half. It's crap. Watch the original Korean version instead.
    Nicki M Super Reviewer
  • May 19, 2015
    Josh Brolin is an extremely bad choice for the role of the protagonist. Besides, the execution is too weak, and is bound to disappoint regardless of having already watched the original or not.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • Nov 01, 2014
    Perhaps those are problems created by the heavy editing of Lee's cut, but this unnecessary and watered-down remake not only doesn't add anything new to the exceptional Korean film but is also full of plot holes and makes its jaw-dropping twist in the end seem only ludicrous.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
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