Killed My Wife

There’s much to praise and adore about Killed My Wife. Let’s get the negative out of the way first: once the players and pieces are laid out, it is not hard to know who the murderer is and their motivations. This does mean the audience is well ahead of all the characters, though, happily, no one does anything that is downright stupid. Sure, some of Jeung-ho’s choices, as an alcoholic and gambling addict, are frustrating, but he makes reasonable, though impulsive, decisions in his pursuit of the truth. There are small touches in the screenplay, such as the insurance salesman’s interview, that bring an extra spark of life to the proceedings.

Even though the plot is predictable, the characters are so engaging and realistic that such a thing is a minor issue. Ha-ra, who made many commercials before helming this thriller, is a solid craftsman, ensuring each scene is brimming with tension and intrigue. The film’s wintery setting with snow, city lights, and seedy bars, becomes a character, perfectly capturing the story’s isolation and darkness. The camera work is so vibrant that for all the ugliness and deception depicted, Killed My Wife is a gorgeous movie with stunning lighting and a daunting, oppressive atmosphere (in a good way).

“…a daunting, oppressive atmosphere (in a good way).”

Si-eon Lee is perfect as the seemingly hapless, helpless husband. In a conversation with a bartender, he is most charming, if confused, as she recounts his night to him—his earnestness in asking if he won a lot of money while gambling is both sincere and hilarious. Ahn is fantastic as Lieutenant Choi is excellent. There’s an amusing running joke about Detective Park that he plays to perfection. As the loan shark Sojin Kim, Ji-young Seo is truly terrifying, adding a much-needed sense of danger, ensuring that the stakes are real for both the characters and the audience.

Killed My Wife is based on a comic (a webcomic, I think) that I have not read. As such, I have no idea how good of an adaptation it is. But, as a movie, while the story is predictable, it moves very well, has nicely drawn, multi-faceted characters facing genuine stakes that compel the viewer to stay tuned. As a feature-length debut, with its brilliant use of setting, atmosphere, and tone, it heralds the arrival of someone who understands cinema inside and out. Imperfect sure, but this South Korean thriller is well worth the price of admission.