Review by
Sue Finn
Directed by: Lee Moon-young
Starring: Kim Dong-ho, Byeol Kang, Park Yeon-woo, Song Young-gyu, Kang
Seung-hyun
At a cafe at night Ki-Young (Song Young-gyu) and Ji-ae (Kang Byul) are exchanging pleasantries over coffee when Ji-ae makes her intentions
known to the shocked young man. Their plans for intimacy however are put
on hold when Ki-Young answers a call from his friend who encourages him to
go camping in the woods. Ji-ae volunteers to go camping with him and
suggests that is where the sex will take place. He readily agrees.
Fast forward to the day of the camping trip and the "couple" are
joined by Ki-Young's friends - camping enthusiast and inviter Jeong-Ho (Park Yeon-woo), and Chae-Rim (Kang Seung-hyun). Jeong-Ho asks Ki-Young
why he invited girls along, and he explains that it's not okay for two men
to go camping together. News to me!
The mysterious Dr Ma shows up after they run into some car trouble, and
leads them to the campsite. Meanwhile, the story is occasionally
interrupted with scenes featuring a poor persecuted man running for his
life through another set of woods. He is being hunted… And it seems that
the "good" doctor has something to do with it.
Once arrived they are left alone to get to know each other. There's some
banter and camaraderie but Ji-ae doesn't quite fit in and finally resorts
to saying mysterious things like "It hurts to be sober" as she chainsmokes
crouched in the snow.
The guys plot their nights of "romance" while the women have an uneasy
feeling they're not alone at the campsite.
After the mystery man in the woods accosts their camp and steals their
belongings, our desperate campers are forced to learn more about each
other as they wait for morning to arrive.
The newly partnered Jeong-Ho (who reluctantly agrees to be Chae-Rim's
boyfriend), nursing injuries, bonds with Ji-ae over dying parents only
minutes after she held scissors to the throat of a sleeping Ki-Young. And
this is when things get twisty with flashbacks revealing nuance and
viewpoints previously unknown.
The bloody shenanigans of the second half of the film are surprising,
clever and nihilistic in the best possible way; indeed, it made me want to
watch it all over again from the beginning.
Performances are solid across the board with Kang Byul particularly strong
as the troubled Ji-ae. The wintry landscapes and visceral thrills are to
be commended, as is the music, which subtly lends support to the WTF fest
unfolding on the screen. It's also competently directed by
Lee Moon-young, who has a knack for utilising the whole screen in
his story-telling.
The highest praise should be reserved for the script (also by Moon-young),
which shows restraint in how and when it ekes out more information, and
knows how to balance tone perfectly.
This is great fun without being stupid. It's smart and compelling and
doesn't skimp on the blood.
Two thumbs up!
The Human Trap is on VOD from
January 11th.
