The film "The Assassin(s)" has drawn enthusiastic praise from international media and critics following its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, raising expectations for its Chuseok box office performance.
Invited to the Gala Presentation section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, "The Assassin(s)" was first introduced to local film industry insiders on the 11th through press and market screenings ahead of its four official public screenings.
Local media poured praise on "The Assassin(s)," which tracks mysteries in modern South Korean history from a reporter's perspective. Following the screenings, glowing reviews continued for director Hur Jin-ho's direction, which urgently depicts the process of unearthing the case, such as "A propulsive thriller that captivates audiences" (Screen Daily), "The best newsroom thriller in Korea" (The Korea Herald), and "A high-tension thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish" (Movie Moves Me). In addition, reviews like "Direction that generously showcases genre pleasures and the solid acting of veteran actors!" (Next Best Picture) highlighted the passionate performances of the actors that drive the immersion of the story.
Furthermore, reviews such as "A meticulously crafted investigative thriller that follows the process of uncovering the truth" (Mainly Movies (podcast)) also highly praised the robust narrative completion that emerges as detective Chul-gu (Yoo Hai-jin), newspaper city desk chief Jae-hwan (Park Hae-il), and rookie reporter Young-il (Lee Minho) approach a single case in different ways.
Attention is also gathering on the courage of the characters and the message embedded in the work. Reviews such as "A story fueled by its topical relevance" (But Why Tho?) and "An exceptional story about courageous people who hold onto clues and dig deeper" (Regionfree) focused on the characters who take action rather than turning away from questions and the thematic consciousness revealed through them. The choices of those trying to keep their convictions in their respective positions add emotional depth to the urgent development, delivering resonance across eras and borders. As such passionate reactions pour in from overseas, "The Assassin(s)" is drawing attention as a must-see film for the whole family to enjoy this upcoming Chuseok.
Having successfully completed its press and market screenings, "The Assassin(s)" will meet Toronto audiences through four public screenings. It will hit screens a total of four times: on the 16th at Roy Thomson Hall, on the 17th at the VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, on the 18th at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto Screen 13, and on the 20th at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto Screen 2. All pre-festival public screening sessions sold out, totaling 4,256 seats, proving the local audience's intense interest in the film.
"The Assassin(s)" is a film that tells the story of tracking the suspicions and behind-the-scenes forces of the First Lady assassination attempt that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974. It is directed by Hur Jin-ho, who made "One Fine Spring Day", "Christmas in August", and "The Last Princess", and stars Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Minho. The film will be available in theaters on the 23rd.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)