10 Best Korean Thriller Movies That Will Leave You Unsettled

Prepare to be disturbed.

While the global film industry is largely dominated by Hollywood and Westernized ideals, several other film industries are breaking through to the worldwide stage. Korean films are one such industry, with their movies having been masterfully fashioned, and often unpredictable, laced with folklore that gives way to films that bend traditional genres and take their audiences on psychological journeys that explore the darker sides of human experience.

With the sudden popularity of films such as Train to Busan (2016) and Parasite (2019), the best South Korean thriller movies are here to stay, and they aren't slowing down any time soon. For audiences looking for new movie experiences, South Korean cinema offers a blend of humor, violence, and unexpected subplots.

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10. 'Confession of Murder (2012)

In Confession of Murder, directed by Byung-gil Jung, Lee Du-seok (Shi-hoo Park), writes about killing people after the statute of limitations had passed. In the meantime, while another murderer starts his own murderous spree, a detective (Jae-yeong Jeong) and the mother of one of the victims look for the author.

Thrilling and engaging with a very well-written script, Confession of Murder features great action sequences and a captivating narrative. It is the kind of film that will have audiences hooked to learn what happens next, with an eerie atmosphere to match.

9. 'Forgotten' (2017)

Jin-Seok (Kang Ha-neul) moves to a new house with his family, though he can't help but feel that something isn't quite right. One night, he sees his older brother kidnapped. Nineteen days later, Jin-Seok's brother (Kim Mu-yeol) returns, and he begins to notice abnormalities in his family's behavior. Believing them not to be his actual family, Jin-Seok goes to the police for help. He soon learns a disturbing truth.

With its many twists and turns, Forgotten is a compelling South Korean psychological thriller movie that will keep viewers guessing throughout, with tension and mystery that serve as a masterclass for executing dark and twisted storylines.

8. 'The Call' (2020)

The Call is a deeply disturbing film that touches on the dangers of knowing the future, and how it can be manipulated by knowing too much. Seo-Yeon (Park Shin-hye) loses her phone when traveling to visit her mother, and inadvertently discovers an old cordless phone. Young-Sook (Jeon Jong Seo), a scared little girl, tells Seo-Yeon that her mother wants to kill her. Seo-Yeon and Young-Sook begin to help one another but soon, Seo-Yeon learns that not all calls should be answered.

7. 'Hwa-Yi: A Monster Boy (2013)

Hwa-Yi: A Monster Boy follows a group of five men who kidnaped an infant. The group, consisting of a charismatic leader, a driving expert, a planner, a guns expert, and a martial artist, raise the boy, now named Hwa-Yi (Yeo Jin-gu). After Hwa-Yi's first kill, he discovers his five fathers' secret and vows revenge.

Hwa-Yi: A Monster Boy is an intensely dark revenge K-drama film that still manages to capture a gentler side to the relationship Hwa-Yi has with his father. The film prompts questions about relationships with others; both the ones built and the ones a person is born into.

6 'Mother' (2009).

Before Darren Aronofsky's divisive film was released, an unsettling movie named Mother already existed. Directed by Parasite's Bong Joon-ho, the 2009 feature remains one of the best Korean thrillers out there. As the title suggests, it centers on a mother (Hye-ja Kim) who desperately searches for the killer who framed her son for a girl's murder.

With beautiful aesthetics and a powerhouse performance from Hye-ja Kim as the unnamed protagonist, Mother makes for a dark and all-around fantastic thriller that reflects on motherly love and devotion.

5. 'The Wailing' (2016)

In The Wailing, a mysterious Japanese stranger arrives in a small village in the South Korean mountains, and soon after, an unusual infection breaks out, causing the villagers to become violent. Jong-Goo (Kwak Do-won), a police officer, is drawn in, in order to save his daughter from the spreading sickness. Meanwhile, Jong-Goo's mother-in-law seeks help from a local shaman, who reveals that an evil spirit has possessed his daughter.

The Wailing is a movie encompassing many genres; it is a psychological thriller, mystery, horror, black magic, and demonic film that has been written spectacularly, with many well-cast actors, who played their roles expertly. It is also a good starting point when it comes to Korean horror.

4. 'Burning' (2018)

Starring Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo, and Yoo Ah-In, Burning is one of the most intriguing South Korean psychological thriller movies. It centers on deliveryman Jongsu as he bumps into a girl who once lived in his neighborhood and asks him to take care of his cat while she is away. When she arrives, though, Jongsu is introduced to a mysterious man named Ben, who tells him about his bizarre hobby.

3. 'I Saw the Devil' (2010)

One of South Korea's best, I Saw the Devil by director Jee-woon Kim is an almost flawless revenge film guaranteed to disturb viewers. It tells the story of a secret agent (Lee Byung-hun) who seeks payback on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.

Although it features shocking graphic violence (not advisable for the most sensitive), I Saw the Devil is a highly addictive feature that will instantly glue the audience's eyes to their screens thanks to its captivating narrative. It's also a really stylish, absolutely terrifying film.

2. 'Memories of Murder' (2003)

Set in 1986, two detectives (Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-kyung) attempt to solve the terrifying case of multiple young women being found sexually abused and murdered by an unknown serial killer out on the loose.

A frightening story that reflects on injustice through and through, Bong Joon-ho's drama mystery Memories of Murder is well worth the watch, especially for those who are into absorbing thrillers. A must-see feature, this 2003 film endures one of the best thrillers of all time.

1. 'Parasite' (2019)

Taking the world by storm, Parasite had its audiences laughing at its underlying humor while gasping at its surprising twists. Parasite was adapted from Bong Joon-ho's play (he also directed the film), written in 2013, and follows a family struggling to make ends meet. Their luck soon changes when Ki-Woo's (Choi Woo-shik) friend suggests he take over as a tutor for a wealthy family whilst he is away.

The family gradually gains employment, even getting rid of the housekeeper, who leaves behind a secret in the house that leads to deadly consequences. Parasite skillfully dissects the characters' mental states, showcasing how a person can be led down a dark path.