[TF Cine Review] 'Paradise Lost', The Power of Kim Hyun-joo&The Freshness of Bae Hyun-sung

Director Yeon Sang-ho's second low-budget projectA dilemma of choice faced between a returned son and an AI son"The Reckoning," opening on the 21st, is a psychological thriller that begins when a mother, who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance 9 years ago, is miraculously reunited with her son, whom she believed to be dead. /CJ ENM[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] How would it feel if the son you thought was dead returned alive after 9 years? Director Yeon Sang-ho's "The Reckoning" is a film that makes you ponder this question multiple times. Through an unusual mother-son relationship, it delves into the depths of the human psyche and raises questions about whether AI (Artificial Intelligence) can perfectly replace humans. Adding to this, actress Kim Hyun-joo's profound presence and Bae Hyun-sung's new portrayal leave a deep impression.The film "The Reckoning" (directed by Yeon Sang-ho), which is being released today (21st), is a psychological thriller that begins when Ryu Seon-woo (Bae Hyun-sung), the son of Ryu So-young (Kim Hyun-joo), who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance 9 years ago, miraculously returns alive, whom she believed to be dead.The film's origin is a 3-page original draft written by director Yeon Sang-ho's mother. Intrigued by the final choice of a wicked son and a mother who loves him dearly, Director Yeon deeply explored the characters' peculiar psychology, delved into the depths of human nature, and expanded the story in his own way."The Reckoning" is also drawing attention as director Yeon Sang-ho's second ultra-low-budget project, following "The Face," which captivated 1.08 million viewers with a production cost of approximately 200 million won. /CJ ENMThe completed film begins with the story of Ryu So-young losing her only son, Ryu Seon-woo, in a camping school bus disappearance incident in Musan City. Afterward, Ryu So-young endures each day by communicating with her child through the AI (Artificial Intelligence) service "Children of Paradise," which allows her to reconnect with her virtual child, while carrying the indelible pain of loss.Then one day, Ryu So-young receives a call from the police saying that her son, whom she believed to be dead, has returned alive after 9 years. Although he has grown significantly and is unrecognizable, his habit of biting his nails remains the same, and even the DNA test results match. It is a moment she has long dreamed of, but the appearance of her son, who is a stranger to the pure child she remembers, brings more confusion than joy.Eventually, Ryu So-young begins a strange cohabitation with the grown-up Ryu Seon-woo and the AI-rendered childhood Ryu Seon-woo. While feeling uneasy and uncomfortable, she confronts the heavy secret of her son's time spent away from her, falling into a dilemma where she must choose between her two sons."The Reckoning" is director Yeon Sang-ho's second low-budget project, following "The Face," which captivated 1.08 million viewers with a production cost of approximately 200 million won. The net production cost was about 500 million won, and filming was completed in 14 days.At first glance, it seems to focus on the setting of bringing back the dead with AI, a common theme in other films, and discussing whether AI can replace the real thing. However, "The Reckoning" goes a step further.It delves into human nature and the abyss through an unconventional mother-son relationship, where the mother struggles between the AI son who exists only as she remembers and desires, and the real son who has become a stranger."The Reckoning" was officially invited to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and the Gala Presentations section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. /CJ ENMDirector Yeon, who tackles darker and heavier themes than in his previous works, questions the simple notion that a son believed to be dead returning alive after 9 years would be purely joyful with "The Reckoning."It sharply illuminates various thought-provoking questions, such as what choice one would make when confronted with a reality worse than the AI they clung to in order to fill the void of loss, and only seeing what they want to see. It also leaves timely questions about whether AI can be a tool for comforting emotional wounds or if it can become an obstacle to overcoming pain.Kim Hyun-joo, who leads this, fully demonstrates through her acting why director Yeon Sang-ho chose her again after Netflix series "Hellbound," "JUNG_E," and "Parasyte: The Grey."From the grief of losing her son, to the unfillable sense of loss while living with her AI son, the confusion when her supposedly dead son returns, and the determination to make a choice after confronting the truth while wavering, she convincingly portrays the complex emotions of a character who would be difficult to imagine without direct experience, with a weathered face, allowing the audience to deeply immerse themselves in the story.Bae Hyun-sung's new portrayal is also intriguing. He has shed his usual innocent and neat appearance, which exuded purity. He completes a rough external visual with messy hair, freckles, and tattoos, and maximizes the character's mysterious side with vacant eyes that are difficult to read and a chilling aura that one wouldn't want to approach. Furthermore, the character's unpredictability, with its unpredictable turns, adds to the palpable tension throughout the film."The Reckoning," which has proven its artistic merit by being officially invited to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and the Gala Presentations section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, is rated for ages 15 and over and has a running time of 100 minutes.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Desk | ssent@tf.co.kr]