What happens when you have a veteran Korean director bring forth a star studded action comedy heist movie? Well, you essentially get Oceans 11 on the water and it is nothing shy of marvelous. Smugglers is the newest film from Ryoo Seung-wan. He masterfully directs this heist movie with such precision, directing the script he co-wrote with Cha-won Choi and Kim Jung Youn. Both Ryoo and his co-writers bring something both heartfelt and hilarious, packing the ultimate punch of sincerity, suspense, and brilliance throughout the aquatic action thriller.
Smugglers focuses on Choon-Ja (Kim Hye-soo) and Jin-sook (Yum Jung-ah). They partner up to start smuggling goods on the water in order to gain some financial benefits and not be constrained to typical jobs. They have a particular set of skills in that they can dive without full equipment, but they have a history that is less than ideal. However, they put their differences aside to ensure that Mr. Kwon (Zo In-sung) isn’t the only smuggling game in town and that all of their hard work and tragedy didn’t end up in vain.
Smugglers is simply a masterclass in both direction and storytelling, complemented by incredible performances. It delicately balances its comedic moments and its heartfelt tone, doing so while creating a symmetry between the characters and the work they’re doing in the name of making money. It is a breath of fresh air in a sea of sameness that will certainly leave the audience at the edge of their seats.
- Rated: 15
- Genre: Action, crime
- Release Date: 9/12/2023
- Directed by: Ryoo Seung-wan
- Starring: Go Min-si, Kim Hye-soo, Kim Jae-hwa, Kim Jong-soo, Park Jeong-min, Park Jun-myun, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung
- Produced by: Cho Sung-min, Kang Hye-jung, Ryoo Seung-wan
- Written by: Ryoo Seung-wan
- Studio: Filmmaker R&K, Next Entertainment World
