Do you know those thrillers about psychopaths, murders, victims, and unexpected plot twists? Yes, that formula usually works, and it has been sufficiently proven. “Revelations” (계시록) is one of those thrillers that, moreover, includes a church pastor as the protagonist who becomes involved in a criminal case.
Directed by the acclaimed Yeon Sang-ho, known for his innovative work in “Train to Busan”, this film will take us through a dark alley of shadows, a repeat offender, and a religious pastor as the central axis of a police plot.
About the Movie
A mystery and murder thriller that we might expect, without too many surprises in terms of narrative, but that works insofar as it makes a good application of the dark murder thriller formula. The protagonist is now a religious pastor played by Ryu Jun-yeol, who carries the entire narrative thread of the story: a dark story about morality, ambition, and justice that gives the film its interest.
“Revelations” has an excellent atmosphere and is narrated at a slow and unsettling pace. Full of symbols, direct references, with a carefully crafted aesthetic, the film addresses the theme of religion, crime, and human evil in a much more general sense than other typical thrillers.
“Revelations” appears to be a murder thriller that applies the formula, but then encloses a much deeper story that reformulates the genre and thus creates a much more interesting film. It can be watched for its intrigue or one can delve into the soul of the characters (especially the protagonist’s) and the reflections the film plays with: Is the human being essentially good or bad? Are circumstances what transform some individuals into monsters, or are they bad by nature?
“Revelations” is, without a doubt, a great option for a Friday night on Netflix: a thriller that, in addition to entertaining in the classic way with a police plot, presents characters that go beyond the detective formula, taking us to a darker, more psychological world that is a thousand times more interesting.
Enjoy it.
Where to Watch “Revelations”
