Forgotten

Jin-seok, a young man suffering from anxiety, moves into a new home with his seemingly perfect family: a loving mother, a stoic father, and an idolized older brother, Yoo-seok. The idyllic life is shattered one rainy night when Jin-seok witnesses Yoo-seok being violently abducted.

After 19 agonizing days, Yoo-seok returns, but he is unsettlingly different and claims to have no memory of his disappearance. As Jin-seok's paranoia intensifies, he notices bizarre changes in his brother's behavior and inconsistencies within his family, making him question his own sanity and the reality of his surroundings. His investigation into his brother's kidnapping leads him down a dark path, forcing him to confront a shocking truth that is far more terrifying than he could ever have imagined.

At its core, Forgotten is a tragic exploration of how societal pressures and economic desperation can lead ordinary people to commit monstrous acts. The film uses the backdrop of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis to examine the devastating ripple effects of one desperate choice. Director Jang Hang-jun delves into the fragile nature of memory and identity, questioning whether forgetting a traumatic past is a form of salvation or a curse that prevents true atonement. Ultimately, the film is a powerful commentary on guilt, the inescapable nature of truth, and the profound, long-lasting consequences of actions born from desperation, showing how two families can be tragically intertwined and destroyed by a single event.

The most discussed area for alternative interpretation is the film's final scene. After the dual suicides, the film flashes back to 1997, showing a young, happy Jin-seok by a river just before his family's car accident. He has a brief, pleasant encounter with a little boy, who is revealed to be the doctor's son (the future fake Yoo-seok) with his family, all happy and alive.

One interpretation sees this scene as simply the last happy memory Jin-seok has before his life is irrevocably destroyed, a final moment of tragic irony showing him crossing paths with the very people whose lives he will later ruin.

Another reading views it as a poignant 'what if' scenario, a glimpse into an alternate reality where tragedy didn't strike, highlighting the cruel role of fate. It emphasizes that these were two separate, happy families whose paths crossed by chance with devastating consequences. A darker interpretation suggests that fate is inescapable; their meeting was not a coincidence but a precursor to an inevitable, intertwined doom.

Forgotten was released in the context of a thriving South Korean film industry, particularly known for its high-concept thrillers that often contain sharp social commentary. The film's use of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis as a core plot device resonated deeply with domestic audiences, as the event was a period of significant national trauma and economic hardship that reshaped South Korean society. This historical anchor grounds the film's extreme events in a real-world desperation that audiences could understand.

Critically, the film was praised for its intricate plotting, suspenseful first half, and powerful performances, particularly from Kang Ha-neul. It stands as a strong example of the Korean mystery-thriller genre, known for its ability to blend horror elements, psychological drama, and shocking plot twists. Its subsequent release on Netflix introduced it to a global audience, contributing to the international popularity of Korean cinema. While not as paradigm-shifting as films like Parasite, Forgotten is a significant work that effectively uses genre conventions to tell a deeply tragic and socially relevant story.

Audiences largely praised Forgotten for its gripping and suspenseful narrative, particularly its first half, which masterfully builds an atmosphere of paranoia and mystery. The numerous plot twists were a significant point of discussion, with many viewers finding them shocking and effective at keeping them on the edge of their seats. The performances of the lead actors, Kang Ha-neul and Kim Moo-yul, received widespread acclaim for their emotional depth and intensity.

However, some viewers criticized the film's second half, arguing that it relies on too many twists, which can make the plot feel convoluted or overly melodramatic. The bleak and tragic ending was also a point of contention; while some found it to be a powerful and fitting conclusion, others felt it was excessively depressing. Overall, it is considered a must-watch for fans of the mystery-thriller genre, celebrated for its clever storytelling and emotional impact.