After 'Parasite's major win at the Oscars, finally, more people are starting to recognize Bong Joon Ho's work.

Even before Parasite (2019), he was already established as a phenomenal director and writer, with many great films under his sleeve. (The Host, Okja, Snowpiercer). All of them are good movies, but here's the one you definitely must not miss (Don't worry, no spoilers ahead).

Memories of murder (2003) 

In 1986, the body of a young woman appears, violently murdered and raped. In the following months, a series of rapes and murders are committed in similar circumstances. A local cop pairs up with a detective from the city to find the killer. Eventually, their methods clash, will they be able to find him?

Based on the true story of the first serial killer ever known in Korea (who executed an estimate of ten women between 1986 and 1991), this thriller breaks nearly every stereotype created around detective films and also leaves a powerful message, (a social criticism around abuse, the way justice works, justified/unjustified violence, etc.) during one of Korea's darkest periods (military dictatorship, political instability, censorship) where this topics are especially relevant.

Back to Joon Ho, the director's (and also writer) work here is crucial: the way he sneaks in some dark humor here and there and visually pleasing shots, the film doesn't seem entirely brutal.

Personally, I was scared at first that, as in many other Korean films, the twists in the plot would be too "Twisted" (you get what I mean), and the main story would get lost entirely. Luckily the turns are multiple (and clever) but keep total sense towards the original plot.

⬇ Watch the trailer down below. ⬇