A suspenseful thriller about a deaf woman targeted by a serial killer, Midnight is a well-executed and immersive film that brings a fresh perspective to a familiar premise.
There are so many phenomenal Korean films. A Taxi Driver, Minari, Memories of Murder, The Man From Nowhere, so many great ones. But because they aren’t marketed in the States all that well (unless they are nominated for a large awards show), I have to keep my ears open for recommendations. So, when I got this one, I was on it.
Midnight is about Kyeong-mi, a deaf sign-language representative at a call center who communicates with customers by video. With her mother, that evening, Kyeong-mi interrupts a serial killer about to finish a killing, and unwittingly becomes his next target.
This is a fun cat-and-mouse thriller that will remind you of other high-stakes chase movies, with a suspenseful score and lots of movement and manipulation.
The main difference that sets this film apart from the rest is its focus on Kyeong-mi’s deafness and on how she and her mother interact with the world. Midnight is immersive, with blinking lights that indicate movement in the house, emergency systems on the street that let people talk to someone for help, and moments when you know something is about to happen, but neither woman can hear it coming. It is silent in her experience, and it raises the tension to an entirely new level.
South Korean actress Jin Ki-joo plays Kyeong-mi, and Wi Ha-joon (who you’ll know from Squid Game) plays the serial killer. This is not giving anything away, as you discover who he is from the very beginning of the film. In addition to Gil Hae-yeon as Kyeong-mi’s mother and a few other characters, it is a small but effective cast.
Another thing that always stands out to me about Korean culture on film – and is in full display here – is the politeness and respect across the board. This is inherent to people, so while the police often appear to be bumbling because they don’t want to offend, the serial killer uses it to his advantage, knowing when to appear distressed and when to be strong.
Midnight is a fast-paced, immersive film that runs a little long and a little thin by the end, but has unique qualities. While I was watching, I kept thinking, “They say nothing good happens after midnight.” This would be good proof of concept for that saying.
Runtime: 103 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: Korean and Korean Sign Language with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Prime Video, Tubi, and Plutotv, and may be available for free on other streaming platforms
There are so many phenomenal Korean films. A Taxi Driver, Minari, Memories of Murder, The Man From Nowhere, so many great ones. But because they aren’t marketed in the States all that well (unless they are nominated for a large awards show), I have to keep my ears open for recommendations. So, when I got this one, I was on it.
