One of the most celebrated films in cinematic history, the South Korean crime thriller Memories of Murder, is now available for UK audiences to watch completely free of charge.
A Landmark Film Arrives on Free Streaming
The film, directed by Oscar-winner Bong Joon Ho and first released in 2003, has landed on the ITVX platform. Co-written by Bong and Shim Sung-bo, it is based on the 1996 play Come to See Me by Kim Kwang-lim and the chilling real-life Hwaseong serial murders of the late 1980s.
Memories of Murder stars Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung as detectives Park Doo-man and Seo Tae-yoon, who are tasked with investigating a string of brutal rapes and murders that plagued the Gyeonggi Province. The crimes were later confirmed to be the work of Lee Choon-jae, but the case remained unsolved when the film was made, adding a layer of profound frustration to the narrative.
Critical Acclaim and Enduring Legacy
In the more than two decades since its debut, the film's reputation has soared. It is now widely regarded as not only one of the finest crime films of the 21st century but also one of the greatest Korean films ever produced. It holds an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus praising its blend of crime genre conventions with social satire and comedy.
Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has named it among his favourite films of all time. Major publications have lauded its power: The New York Times called it a "taut, effective thriller" that surpasses most Hollywood offerings, while The Guardian highlighted its "very chilling" final scene and satire of "official laxity and arrogance." Variety described it as a "powerful, slow-burning portrait of human fallibility."
Fans echo this praise online, with many suggesting the film rivals or even exceeds Bong's later Oscar-sweeping hit, Parasite. One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes noted the film's ability to mix "sadness, terror, and surprising comedy" to capture the human condition.
Bong Joon Ho's Path to Mastery
The film was a pivotal moment in the career of Bong Joon Ho, now 56. Following his 2000 debut, Barking Dogs Never Bite, Memories of Murder cemented his distinctive style. He later achieved global fame with works like The Host (2006), Snowpiercer (2013), and the historic Oscar winner Parasite (2019), which became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
Despite his subsequent success, Bong has revealed that Memories of Murder was his most challenging project. The emotional weight of depicting crimes against young girls led him to shoot parts of the film after drinking soju. The film is notably praised for evoking a sense of impending violence rather than depicting it graphically.
Memories of Murder is streaming now on ITVX at no cost, offering a perfect opportunity for both newcomers and fans to experience this cornerstone of modern cinema.
