Watch Burning

Burning is a South Korean mystery drama film directed by renowned filmmaker Lee Chang-dong. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, is an adaptation of "Barn Burning," a short story by Haruki Murakami. The story follows the life of a young man named Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), who runs into his childhood friend Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo) while working as a deliveryman. Jong-su gets romantically interested in Hae-mi and they spend some time together. However, when Hae-mi goes on a trip to Africa, she introduces Jong-su to her mysterious friend Ben (Steven Yeun). Jong-su starts getting suspicious about Ben and his interactions with Hae-mi.

As Jong-su continues to build a friendship with Ben, strange events start happening in his life. He discovers that Ben has a strange hobby of burning down greenhouses, which triggers his curiosity about Ben's past. Meanwhile, Hae-mi goes missing mysteriously and Jong-su finds himself caught up in a series of events that he can't explain.

The movie is a slow-burning character study that focuses on the psyche of the main character, Jong-su. The film explores his struggles to find meaning and identity in life and his search for love and connection. The movie captures the essence of Korean society, highlighting the gap between the rich and the poor.

Burning has been praised for its exceptional cinematography that captures the beauty of the countryside and the city of Seoul. The movie is filled with breathtaking shots that capture the essence of Korea's urban landscape. The film's score is haunting and eerie, perfectly capturing the mood of the story.

The central performances in the movie are top-notch. Yoo Ah-in offers a nuanced performance as the introverted, troubled man caught up in events outside his control. Steven Yeun, best known for his role in The Walking Dead, offers a restrained and enigmatic performance that keeps the audience guessing about his real motives. Jeon Jong-seo's performance encapsulates the fear and desperation that comes with being caught up in someone else's drama.

The film's themes of alienation, obsession, and class divide resonate with the viewer, making it a thoughtful examination of modern-day Korea. The movie showcases Lee Chang-dong's masterful storytelling skills, which have made him one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation.

In conclusion, Burning is an excellent movie that is sure to captivate audiences with its themes, cinematography, and performances. The film is a haunting exploration of obsession, alienation, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction. It is a powerful character study that showcases some of the finest performances in recent memory. Burning is a must-watch for anyone interested in modern Korean cinema.

Burning is a 2018 mystery with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 90.