'Time to Hunt' Review: Suspenseful and slick, the psychological action-thriller packs quite a solid punch
This review is spoiler-free
The earliest hint that 'Time to Hunt' was well on its way to being a critically-acclaimed film comes from the movie's score on Rotten Tomatoes.
A total of 83% for a Tomatometer reading is more than just healthy and for those who usually go by the stars a movie is awarded will be intrigued to see what's special in this South Korean crime thriller.
And indeed special it is as the movie explores themes of a dystopian future, political unrest, a failed economy— all linked to one another and introduces a bloody action thriller in the midst.
The future that's shown in 'Time to Hunt' isn't the 'Total Recall' type, rather a far cry that sees a city stuck in uncertainty between the past and the future. The plotline is simple as it follows ex-convict Jun-Seok (Lee Je-Hoon), who did time in prison for three years after a botched job.
When he does step out of prison, it's like stepping into a world that is alien and hard to live in at the same time. His company is his two best buds, Jang-ho (Ahn Jae-hong) and Ki-hoon (Choi Woo-Shik).
Jang-Ho and Ki-hoon are part of the world-building in the early moments of the film and with Jun-Seok joining them, he suggests one more heist after seeing the deplorable conditions of his friends. Adding to that the value of the Won that's plunged drastically, the need of the hour is money.
He points at a gambling den filled with US Dollars, enough to give them a new lease of life that he would spend chilling at the beaches of Taiwan. And up to this point, 'Time to Hunt' moves at its own easy pace.
In Sang-soo (Park Jeong-min), there's an inside man at the den who assists the trio with their plans and that's when the film switches gears. In all their attempts, they seem to have completely overlooked the point that their very lives would be at stake.
And as their damned luck would have it, they steal a bunch of surveillance tapes that sees them practically being hunted. Han (Park Hae-Soo), the mysterious character who tracks and relentlessly hunts the friends is an enigma. He's deadly, ruthless and is dedicated in his mission to kill the culprits and retrieve the tapes.
The fight sequences are slick and intensely choreographed to perfection as the trio does just everything possible to stay alive. Director Yoon Sung-Hyun also brings in a generous dose of suspense that receives ample support from the lighting and tone department.
All these elements just heighten the fact that this is more than just an action flick — it can be best described as a psychological thriller. Yoon also ensures that he explores the psyche of the hunted who we first see as cheerful mates going on becoming survivors with guns.
Emotions come into play when the friendship between the characters is explored. Jun-Seok and Jang-Ho shine as blood brothers and their desperation to survive evokes a feeling of sympathy and helplessness to the audience.
'Time to Hunt' does justice to the plot as it weaves in various emotions seamlessly in the plotline and it all starts with the one thing the trio should have never probably attempted — crime. In the end, despite the climax that leaves room for a potential sequel, there's a sense of grim satisfaction.
'Time to Hunt' makes a solid watch. The gripping suspense, the raw action and the sheer emotions pack plenty in its punch that is sure to leave the audience dizzy and reeling. 'Time to Hunt' is available for streaming on Netflix.
