It’s always interesting to see what a performer, who is already well-regarded in their home country, does in the wake of international success. Lee Jung-jae just made history with his SAG and Emmy wins for his leading role on Squid Game. Last week he was announced as the star of the upcoming Star Wars TV series The Acolyte. It’s more than fair to say that he’s hot right now. That makes his directorial debut, Hunt, which he also wrote and stars in, all the more exciting.
The now internationally famous actor stars as the head of the foreign unit of the KCIA, South Korea’s Central Intelligence Agency. It's the 1980s and a period of deep unrest and an assassination attempt in the United States. Back at home, he finds himself pitted against the head of the domestic unit (played by Jung-jae’s friend and frequent collaborator Jung Woo-sung), both tasked to uncover the identity of a North Korean spy...
The two men viciously investigates each others teams before setting their sights back on each other, suspecting that their rival could be the traitor they’re seeking.
Hunt, which premiered at Cannes and has already been released in South Korea, starts very strongly, featuring a chase scene within its first few minutes, and it doesn’t let up from there.
The movie features constant intrigue and several twists along the way, all of which makes it hard to know who to trust and what their endgames are. It’s worthwhile also to note the reasons that those who actively conspire against their country do so, in some cases because they believe in the idyllic idea of reconciliation, that somehow two long-warring countries will be brought back together peacefully, even if many have to die along the way.
Jung-jae proves himself to be a skilled mainstream director, attuned to what audiences want to see and ensuring that every moment of this film is focused and riveting. Anyone who thinks this will be more Squid Game is in for a serious surprise since it couldn’t be more different, though it does contain a good deal of violence. It’s good to know that Jung-jae has a promising global future ahead for his career, but hopefully starring in big-budget, English-language blockbuster productions won’t prevent him from making more films like this since he’s skilled both in front of and behind the camera. B+
Hunt is screening in the Gala Presentations category at TIFF and will be released this December in the US through Magnolia Pictures.