Interprete Me

Forgotten is a rare type of production that manages to increase our curiosity as its plot progresses. It’s an intriguing and powerful family situation, a very well-written and accomplished thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: attaching the viewer to the chair for a couple of hours, increasing the anguish until it almost suffocates (watch here).

The one responsible for this is Jang Hang-jun, director and scriptwriter of Forgotten. Being a former actor, he knows what a good script is made of and has learned a lot from the directors he worked with. Therefore, he used all the earned experience to create a thought-provoking, interesting work that at no time abuses the intelligence of the public.

A mysterious kidnapping

The film begins with Jin-Seok’s admiration for his older brother, Yoo-Seok, who is excellent at everything he does: he is a born sportsman, a very studious man, an excellent worker, and so, a great person to be inspired by. Suddenly, Yoo-Seok is kidnapped and returns home after 19 days missing. While everyone celebrates the boy’s return, Jin-Seok notices that there is something different with his brother. Physically he’s the same, but he doesn’t seem to be the person he was. So, Jin-Seok begins an investigation to find out what exactly happened to his brother during the days he was abducted, coming to impressive conclusions.

Being full of plot twists, revealing anything more from Forgotten would spoil the experience as a whole. By always maintaining the tone of suspense that permeates the narrative, the film never leaves a loose end, and every moment gives a new revelation that completely changes the way we understand the story. Things like this are hard to come by, and there was a great deal of competence from director/writer Jang Hang-jun in keeping the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle together, so that when we finally figure out what’s going on, it’s too late.

None of this would be possible, though, were it not for the talent of the actors who lead the cast of Forgotten. Kang Ha-neul is fantastic as Jin-Seok, a complicated role that gradually unfolds. Likewise, Kim Mu-yeol gives the post-kidnapping Yoo-Seok a monotonous, grim and somber tone, arousing the viewer’s mistrust at the same time as asking for their compassion. This was fundamental for the successful execution of the film’s plot, otherwise the result could be a failed attempt to produce a thriller of a high caliber.

More questions than answers

The biggest insight of Forgotten is to confuse rather than explain. The further we go into the mystery of the abduction suffered by Yoo-Seok, the less we understand. This scheme of giving more questions than answers turns the film into a gigantic thriller, this holds our attention to the point where we don’t want to stop until we see how this end.

And we can guarantee, it’s shocking. Forgotten, therefore, is a very successful example of a suspenseful movie. It often reminds the classic “Oldboy”, both by narrative and by its surprising third act. For those who like this genre, this is a sure bet.

You can also like Time Share, 1983, Cam, The Judgement and Girl from Nowhere.

Trailer and additional information about Forgotten Netflix

Synopsis 1: It all began that tragic night. Sounds only he hears. Nightmares that seem to real. Doubts about his own memories.

Synopsis 2: When his abducted brother returns seemingly a different man with no memory of the past 19 days, Jin-seok chases after the truth behind the kidnapping.

Age rating: 16;

Release year: 2017.