“Thirst” (Bakjwi), a 2009 South Korean film directed by Park Chan-wook is a mix of horror, drama, and romance. Park Chan-wook, who is already known for filmography such as Old Boy and The Handmaiden, definitely gets challenging with this new creation. The film is a unique blend of horror, dark comedy and romance, making it an engaging commentary on the nature of morality, lust, and the consequences of illicit love.
Synopsis
The plot revolves around Sang-hyun, a catholic priest portrayed by Song Kang-Ho, who, taking his religion to whole new levels, volunteers in an experimental procedure, aimed anti viral. The anti viral that Sang-hyun volunteers for unfortunately fails and he contracts the virus. He gets lucky though as after a transfusion, his virus is gone but he notice that he has become a vampire.
Unable to contain his newly acquired vicious desires and instincts, he later meets with Tae-ju, the wife of his sickly childhood friend. Their lust turned into a passionate affair, peace revolving around faith and sanity is soon shattered as Sang-hyun gets driven by lust and blood.
Cast and Key Performances
- Song Kang-ho as Sang-hyun: Song is remarkable as he shows an inner battle that is consistent within Sang-hyun between his faith and sexual instincts.
- Kim Ok-bin as Tae-ju: Kim is fantastic as she brings an irreplaceable touch to Tae-ju, making her negotiate between being innocent and being cruelly manipulative.
- Shin Ha-kyun as Kang-woo: Shin, as Tae-ju’s ailing spouse, also provides a tragic element to Kang-woo’s chaos.
- Kim Hae-sook as Lady Ra: Petty politics at play– the actor plays the over-bearing, controlling mother, who constantly brings chaos into Tae-ju’s life.
Themes and Aesthetic Style
**”Thirst” ** include:
- Guilt & Desire: Sang-hyun experiences such an internal conflict transitioning from priest to a vampire; a conflict of transcendental beliefs with biological instincts.
- Guilt & Atone: The movie seeks, through its characters and narrative, consequences of giving in to vices and the need to seek forgiveness.
- Integration into Relationships: The toxicity and the co-dependency of Sang-hyun and Tae-ju’s bond are of different importance.
The Indian director Park Chan-wook also uses:
- Cinematography: The movie is enhanced by towne and ppd gothic imagery conveying the dark feeling of the film.
- Christian Icons. Crosses and blood – these depict different angles on abuse and salvation.
- Tonal Dichotomy: A sequence changes from graphic violence to intimate caresses – quite a contrast.
Critical Reception
- Awards: Thirst added the distinction of Jury Prize to the list of awards Park Chan-wook has, having won it at the film festival in Cannes in 2009.
- Praise: The originality, the multilayered story, and the acting by Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin were praised by the critics. Its genre amalgamation was mentioned as one of its best features.
- Criticism: Certain real life viewers expressed that some of these effects were out of place and some Burke-induced changes in tempo were awkward.
Availability
Currently, Thirst can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Shudder. The precise availability of these services depends on the region.
Recommendations for Similar Films
Other films which you might enjoy if Thirst is anything to go by are:
- “Let the Right One In” (2008): This Swedish film focuses on a young boy and an orphan girl and the stark themes of loneliness and love.
- “Only Lovers Left Alive” (2013): Lovers struggling with eternity – the beautifully weaving tale of vampires- this is another beautiful work by Jim Jarmusch.
- “Crimson Peak” (2015): True lovers torn apart – how a mysterious Gothic film about horror messes with everyone’s perception of true love (another work by Guillermo del Toro).