Not for the faint of heart (or full stomach)
I know we’ve endlessly recommended Vampire Prosecutor here, but truth be told—we’re not exactly vampire fans. That drama was just exceptionally well-written. So don’t worry, this post doesn’t come from a place of genre obsession.
Last week I talked a lot about Park Chan-wook. After watching Confessions, which explores revenge in a way that naturally brought Oldboy to mind, I decided to finally complete his Vengeance Trilogy. That rabbit hole led me straight into Thirst (2009).
Honestly, I didn’t even realize it was a vampire movie until I was halfway in—and I kind of regretted it. I’ve never been able to objectively review vampire stories; the theme just doesn’t appeal to me. And while Thirst is masterfully crafted (as all Park Chan-wook films tend to be), I found it hard to enjoy.
But to be fair—it is an excellent movie. If you’re into vampire cinema, you’ll likely find the plot intricate, bold, and refreshingly original. It’s far from mainstream and definitely not for everyone. My advice? Don’t watch it on a full stomach (yes, I sound like a nosy mom, I know—but it did make me nauseous).
Cast of Thirst (2009): Complex Performances for a Complex Story
At the heart of Thirst is an extraordinary cast that brings depth and intensity to an already provocative film.
- Song Kang-ho stars as Sang-hyun, a devout priest who becomes a vampire after a failed medical experiment. Song is a Korean cinema icon (Parasite, The Host) and delivers a deeply layered performance—equal parts restrained, tormented, and disturbingly magnetic.
- Kim Ok-bin plays Tae-ju, the seemingly timid wife who transforms into something far more dangerous. Her performance is fearless and captivating, making Tae-ju one of the most unpredictable characters in Park Chan-wook’s filmography.
- Shin Ha-kyun, as Kang-woo (Tae-ju’s husband), and Kim Hae-sook, in the role of Kang-woo’s mother, add complexity and tension to the household dynamic that fuels the film’s psychological horror.
Each actor contributes to the film’s unsettling atmosphere, embodying characters that are both grotesque and human. Their chemistry is one of the film’s strongest assets—and a major reason Thirst leaves such a lasting impression.
In any case, I haven’t seen a single bad film by Park Chan-wook. Even if I don’t always connect with the story, his filmmaking is flawless. So: if you’re a vampire movie enthusiast, this one’s a must-watch. If not… you might just spend 75% of it with your eyes closed.
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