Review of "Intimate Strangers" (2018): An Underrated Korean Movie That I Strongly Recommend (완벽한 타인)

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In the vivid tapestry of modern South Korean cinema, a standout masterpiece emerges: "Intimate Strangers" (2018). Directed by the adept Lee Jae-kyoo, this film is a compelling foray into the intricate web of human relationships, deftly weaving a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. A creative reinterpretation of the Italian film "Perfect Strangers", this movie transcends its source material to offer a unique glimpse into the complexities of intimacy and privacy in the digital age.

Set against the backdrop of a seemingly ordinary dinner party among friends, "Intimate Strangers" masterfully transforms this everyday gathering into an extraordinary exploration of truth and trust. The premise is deceptively simple: friends agree to share every call and message on their phones during the evening, unraveling a cascade of revelations that test the very fabric of their relationships. What follows is an enthralling journey through a labyrinth of secrets and lies, where each twist and turn invites the audience to question their perceptions of honesty and loyalty.

Lee Jae-kyoo's direction is impeccable, balancing the narrative's tense moments with nuanced storytelling that captures the subtle complexities of human emotions and interactions. The film's exploration of how technology – particularly smartphones – impacts our connections with others is both timely and timeless, resonating with a universal audience.

"Intimate Strangers" is not just a movie; it's a mirror held up to our lives, reflecting the fragile nature of trust and the hidden depths that lie within even the closest of bonds. It challenges viewers to ponder the perennial question: How well do we really know those closest to us? As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is more than just a game – it's a profound examination of the human condition.


Learning Points:

    1. The Illusion of Transparency in Relationships

      • Complexity of Intimacy: The film challenges the notion that intimacy equals complete understanding and transparency. It suggests that even in close relationships, individuals may choose to keep certain aspects of their lives private.
      • Respecting Boundaries: It underscores the importance of respecting personal boundaries, even among friends and partners. The narrative illustrates that some secrets may be kept not out of deceit, but as a means of preserving individuality and personal space.

    1. Impact of Technology on Human Relationships

      • Double-Edged Sword of Connectivity: The story illustrates how modern technology, while keeping us connected, can also create distances and misunderstandings. The reliance on digital communication is shown to have both bonding and isolating effects on relationships.
      • Digital Footprint and Privacy: It raises awareness about the digital footprint we leave and the potential vulnerabilities that come with it, emphasising the need for discretion and privacy in the digital age.

    1. Moral and Ethical Dilemmas

      • Confrontation with Personal Morals: Characters in the film face situations that test their moral values, highlighting the grey areas in ethical decision-making.
      • Relativity of Truth and Morality: The film poses questions about the relativity of truth and the subjective nature of morality, showing how different individuals may justify their actions based on their personal ethics.

    1. The Fragility of Trust

      • Easily Broken, Hard to Rebuild: The narrative demonstrates how trust, once broken, can be challenging to restore. It acts as a cautionary tale about the ease with which trust can be shattered through misunderstandings or revelations.
      • Foundation of Relationships: The film emphasises that trust is a fundamental component of any relationship and that its preservation is crucial for the relationship's longevity and health.

      Social Commentary

      • Reflection of Societal Norms: The movie comments on various societal norms and expectations, such as the pressures to conform and the facades people maintain in social circles.
      • Critique of Modern Social Dynamics: It offers a critique of modern social dynamics, highlighting issues like infidelity, the illusion of a perfect life, and the impact of societal pressure on personal choices and relationships.



    Significance of the Film:

    "Intimate Strangers" stands out for its incisive exploration of these themes, making it significant for several reasons:

    • Universal Relatability: The themes addressed are universally relatable, cutting across cultural and social boundaries, making the film relevant to a broad audience.
    • Mirror to Contemporary Society: It acts as a mirror to contemporary society, reflecting the complexities and challenges of maintaining relationships in the digital age.
    • Stimulates Dialogue and Reflection: The film stimulates dialogue and introspection among viewers about their own relationships and the role of technology, privacy, and trust within them.
    • Artistic Merit: From a cinematic perspective, the film is lauded for its storytelling, character development, and the way it seamlessly weaves together multiple narrative threads to deliver a poignant message.

    In essence, "Intimate Strangers" is not just a film about a game gone wrong; it's a thought-provoking piece that encourages viewers to reflect on the nature of their relationships, the impact of technology on their lives, and the moral and ethical dilemmas that they face in their everyday interactions.


Ending Explained (Spoilers):

The film's climax reveals a significant twist, fundamentally altering the viewer's understanding of the entire narrative. Throughout the movie, we witness a group of friends engaged in a seemingly harmless game where they agree to share all calls and messages from their phones with each other. This game leads to a series of dramatic revelations, uncovering secrets and testing the limits of their relationships.

However, in a surprising turn of events, it's disclosed at the end that the audience has been witnessing a "What If" scenario. In reality, the friends never actually play this revealing game. The film then rewinds to the moment just before the game is proposed, showing one of the characters suggesting it. But instead of agreeing to play, the friends dismiss the idea, joking about how dangerous such a game could be.

This twist serves multiple purposes:

  1. Illustration of Potential Consequences: It illustrates what could potentially happen if they had gone through with the game, highlighting the dramatic and damaging consequences of such a risky undertaking.


  3. Reflection on Privacy and Relationships: By showing the disastrous outcomes as only hypothetical, the film encourages the audience to reflect on the importance of privacy and secrets in maintaining healthy relationships. It questions the necessity and desirability of complete transparency among close friends or partners.


  5. Commentary on Human Nature: The hypothetical scenario delves into the hidden aspects of human nature, suggesting that everyone has aspects of their lives they prefer to keep private, even from those closest to them.


  7. Provocative Question to the Audience: The film leaves its audience pondering over the nature of their own relationships. It asks a thought-provoking question: "Do we truly know the people we consider close, and is it always better to know everything about them?"


  9. Examination of Trust and Intimacy: The ending underscores the delicate balance between trust and intimacy in relationships. It suggests that some level of mystery and privacy might be essential for healthy relationships.

In conclusion, "Intimate Strangers" ends not with a resolution of the conflicts presented throughout the film, but rather by stepping back and revealing that these conflicts were only a hypothetical scenario. This narrative technique effectively turns the film into a reflection on the dangers of prying too deeply into others' lives and the value of preserving personal boundaries even in the closest relationships.


Closing Thought

I personally enjoyed watching this movie, a lot. And I strongly recommend everyone to watch this movie. It might just be my biased view - it may just be my kind of movie. Regardless, I stand firm in rating this movie a 10/10. To me, this is the best kind of experience that a movie can offer. I have watched this movie about 5 times, and I enjoyed it so much that I proposed to screen this movie at my university's student group: NUS Korean Cultural Interest Group, which became the most successful movie session. I will post 2 video clips of the movie being screened at my student group.



"How much do we really know our friends, and do we really have to know all of their secrets? How much of our friends' personal things can we actually accept? And if we can't accept, are they still our friends?"




※ Important: The content of this post is mostly taken from ChatGPT, and it had been arranged in a nice format by me. You should be fact checking these given points/examples in this post should you be using them for grading purposes. Thank you.

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