[FEATURE] Hidden Face Brutality Unmasked Yeon Sang-ho Film
A Chilling Reality Hidden Behind the Face: A New Peak of the Yeon Sang-ho Universe
The 영화 <얼굴>, in which director Yeon Sang-ho translates his own graphic novel of the same name for the screen, deeply unsettled theaters in September 2025. By employing the motif of the “face” to explore personal existence and twisted longing, this film represents one of the most condensed expressions of Yeon Sang-ho’s thematic worldview. Below, we take a closer look at the core aspects of the film.
1. What Kind of Film Is <얼굴>?
This 영화 is a mystery thriller based on a graphic novel written and illustrated by Yeon Sang-ho himself. Going beyond a standard genre piece, it is deeply imbued with the director’s signature exploration of the disturbing dimensions of human nature. Since its release on September 11, 2025, audiences have described it as “his most uncompromising work”, leaving a deeply uncomfortable aftertaste.
2. Director and a Notable Cast Lineup
One point that deserves early clarification concerns the director’s filmography.
Director Yeon Sang-ho: A visionary filmmaker who has built a unique cinematic universe through works such as Train to Busan, Hellbound, and Gaspard. (For reference, Be With You was directed by Lee Jang-hoon, not Yeon Sang-ho.)
Park Jung-min (as Im Young-gyu): He portrays a son who discovers enigmatic images among his dying mother’s belongings and begins unraveling her past. Park Jung-min’s characteristically sharp and driven energy serves as a key engine of the film’s tension.
Kwon Hae-hyo & Shin Hyun-been: Veteran actors often associated with the so-called “Yeon Sang-ho ensemble” join the cast. Kwon Hae-hyo portrays a elusive figure who blocks the path to the truth, while Shin Hyun-been plays a character who holds the essential key of the 사건, together forming a well-balanced acting ensemble.
3. Narrative Depth and the Thematic Meaning of “얼굴”
The 영화 focuses on the multiple facets of humanity that the protagonist Young-gyu encounters while following the fragmented clues of his mother’s past. At first glance, it may appear to be a nostalgic memory piece about recovering lost memories, but in reality, it coldly dissects the latent hypocrisy hidden beneath everyday human relationships.
Within the film, “얼굴” functions as both a constructed persona and an indelible scar of the past. Across its 103-minute runtime, the audience is repeatedly confronted with a uncomfortable question: “Is the face click here we see of others ever truly the truth?”
4. Behind the Scenes: Mise-en-scène Beyond the Limits of a Restrained Budget
There is also a point to clarify regarding the production scale. While Yeon Sang-ho has previously worked with minimal funding during his independent animation days, this 영화 <얼굴> presents visuals of far greater density.
Particular attention was paid to location selection in order to preserve the eerie atmosphere of the original graphic novel. The spaces feel simultaneously familiar yet distorted, producing a visual experience that makes the audience feel as though they are wandering within the characters’ nightmares.
5. Key Viewing Points and Audience Reception
Immersive storytelling: Suitable for its age-restricted audience, the film maintains a suffocating sense of tension and a deliberately paced narrative flow.
Powerful performances: Park Jung-min’s psychological breakdown in the latter half has been widely praised, with many viewers noting that the characters’ faces linger like afterimages long after the screening ends.
Critical response: Reviews are largely favorable, stating that “the chilling essence of the original work has been faithfully transplanted onto the screen.” While some criticize the film for being relentlessly bleak, genre enthusiasts have shown strong support.
6. In Closing: A Cold Consolation from Yeon Sang-ho
The 영화 <얼굴> transcends the mystery genre to speak about the masks that all of us wear while navigating modern society. Forged through Yeon Sang-ho’s distinctive vision and the cast’s committed performances, this work stands as a notable choice for viewers who value serious cinematic reflection over easy entertainment.