User Reviews

I actually cant vote this story because its really sad and true story.Don't want to rate something that has happened in reality in a sad way.I see some reviews that says that this is a great movie like better than :man on fire,ransom,etc".. This is not just a movie ,this is a story of a life of parents that suffered during times like these.These things happen around the world on a daily basis to some people or the other.

My review is all about the harsh reality of life that is shown in this film.The end of the movie defines the tittle "voice of a murderer".

Here goes the storyline- Director Park Jin-pyo crafts this emotionally pointed docudrama based on the 1991 kidnapping of a young South Korean boy whose abductor sadistically taunted the child's parents over the course of a grueling, month-long period. Television news anchorman Han Kyung- bae and his devoutly religious, stay-at-home wife Oh Ji-sun both love their timid, nine year old son Hwang-sun as much as any devoted mother and father would. Though the rigorous exercise regiment and strict diet they subject the reticent child to may seem harsh to the casual observer, all they want is for him to shed some extra weight so he'll live a long and happy life. The doting parents find their lives turned upside down in an instant however when one day, Hwang- sun vanishes without a trace. Their worst fears are confirmed when, shortly thereafter, Hwang-sun's abductor calls to demand a seizable ransom. Though Han Kyung-bae and his wife are willing to pay any amount of money to ensure their child's safe return, the exchange proves unexpectedly complicated as a parent's worst nightmare slowly snowballs into tragedy. Over the course of the next forty-four days, the frighteningly calm and confident kidnapper taunts the grieving parents with a series of relentlessly cruel telephone calls, gradually drawing Han Kyung-bae and Oh Ji-sun's failures, mistakes, and regrets out into the open while forcing them to endure a slow- burning hell of misery and despair.

With every second of police chasing the anonymous abductor, the movie gives viewers a vibe of fright and commotion. To my own perception, it is supposedly a mixture of sympathy and detestation towards the victim's father. I was consistently concentrating on every detail of the abduction case till the predictably sorrowful ending. After all, this is conclusively a notably worth-watching movie

I saw this for the first time recently n got pleasantly surprised. Found it to be much better than Gibson's Ransom.

Also i feel Hugh Jackman's Prisoners got inspired by this movie.

Aft knowing that this one is based on a true case, i felt sad for the parents.

This movie is based on the real-life kidnapping case which happened in 1991.

The entire movie deals with the police investigation and the parents' turmoil consisting of the 87 ransom calls from the kidnapper for 44 days.

The acting is top notch n one can really feel the turmoil the parents went thru.

Two things came to my mind while viewing this.

The 1959 novel King's Ransom and the 1963 movie High and Low by Akira Kurosawa which itself is based on the 1959 novel.

But not as another shill reviewer has stated "Better than Man On Fire" or "Ransom" - Utter hogwash.

Very average Korean Thriller based on a true story so do not think you are going to get a happy ending. Pretty pointless movie actually as it makes the Korean police look like the keystone cops; I was beginning to think it was a comedy thriller.

Very average (5/10) so only watch it if you have nothing else in your movie library!

This is easily the best kidnapping movie that has ever been made. If you have yet to embrace Korean cinema, you are missing out on some of the best films to hit the screen. Kyung-gu Sol is one of the best actors on the planet, if you don't believe that go watch "Oasis", "Rikidozan" or any of the "Public Enemy" movies. This movie may be his greatest performance, the emotional highs and lows is character goes through are just amazing to watch. I can't believe the NY Times gave this movie a bad review, saying "Voice of a Murderer is an uninvolving melodrama more suited to the small screen than to the large.", I would love to know what movie they were watching. This is a masterpiece that more people need to see!!

This film was very intense. Although it was not violent or graphic, it had many psychologically intense and stressful scenes. And it offers a real glimpse of life in Seoul; the relentless traffic, endless high rise apartments and the fast-paced life of the urban sprawl. As a parent, I could really empathize with the characters. Because it was based on a true story, the whole event takes on more gravity. Unlike many other recent child-kidnapping movies, i.e. with Denzil Washington, or Mel Gibson's Ransom, this "The Voice of a Murderer" is not a Hollywood movie. There are no heroes. It has a fresh take on a familiar plot, with very believable characters.

SYNOPSIS: The only child of well-known news caster Han Kyung-bae mysteriously vanishes one day. The abductor soon telephones and starts demanding a ransom, which keeps increasing throughout the film. The police form a top-notch task group to operate under his direction and appoint an experienced veteran to lead the investigation. However, the kidnapper consistently outsmarts the authorities and calls the parents again and again with new instructions for the money drop.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS Han Kyung Bae (Father) - He is displayed as the news channel's anchor. It goes without saying that a newscaster's role is to present significant situations on television while being objective and emotionless. Ironically, his own son has been abducted, and he doesn't want the situation to get worse by spreading the word internationally. He displays great commitment, support, and optimism throughout the entire film. His The fact that he keeps moving from one place to another while obeying the kidnapper's commands, acting deliberately, and being mentally aware and trauma-free helps the audience realise how much the father wants his son back and how willing he is to fight and play the cat and mouse game. He is accompanied with a veteran detective which becomes his backbone throughout the chase.

Oh Ji Su (Mother) - A housewife from the 1990s is undoubtedly defined as a helpless and hopeful mother who wants nothing more than for her son to return home safely. She does housework, cares for her son, and feeds her husband who returns home exhausted from work. She maintains her religious beliefs despite the circumstances.

Sang Woo (Kidnapped Son) - His innocence, playfulness, and wonderful character immediately captivate the viewer, despite the fact that he only has a brief part at the opening of the film before being abducted. After he is kidnapped, one can perceive the pity. He is shown as ambitious and has the desire to one day become a well-known caster of a news channel like his father.

MY VIEWPOINTS - You experience an emotional and frightening rollercoaster in this two-hour film. The movie moves slowly, thickening the storyline as it progresses. Less violet, but more mental torment, captures the audiences eye. The situations are more realistic and look more natural because the father and mother are specifically shown losing themselves psychologically. Much thanks to the talented actors.

It is more helpful to explain a child's mental trauma when parents are seen having hallucinations of their child. There is a religious perspective emphasising that since certain things are beyond your control, all you can do is make an effort. Be optimistic and follow your path since, in the end, you never know what will happen. The voice analysis that was presented in the film was both significant and fascinating. The only solution was voice analysis because technology wasn't very advanced in the 1990s when the incident happened. Making an educated judgement about the kidnapper's face characteristics is made easier by studying speech modulation with tone and accent when the kidnapper used to call. These scenes gives you a experience of investigating process used in early 1990s.

Back to back frightening turns happen. The investigating team and parents are used as props in mindgames by kidnapper to make the storyline more intriguing. It made me feel awful when I learned that it was based on a true story, but after watching the brilliantly directed film, it made more sense. The pain, suffering, and other emotional and physical trauma are endless.

FAVOURITE LINE: "I always thought bad things happens to only people" said by Father aka Han Kyung Bae.

Recommended - I highly recommend this movie for more than one time. It's worth it.