Cast
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Song Kang-ho
as Priest Sang-hyeon
Kim Ok-vin
as Tae-ju
Kim Hae-sook
as Lady Ra
Shin Ha-kyun
as Kang-woo
Park In-hwan
as Priest Noh
Song Young-chang
as Seung-dae
Oh Dal-su
as Yeong-doo
Ériq Ebouaney
as Immanuel
Seo Dong-soo
as Hyo-seong
Choi Hee-jin
as Nurse Sa
Ra Mi-ran
as Nurse Yu
Lee Hwa-ryong
as Doctor Koo
Mercedes Cabral
as Evelyn
Kim Hee-ok
as Oh Veronica
Choi Jong-ryul
as Father
Crew
Director
- Park Chan-wook
Producer
- Park Chan-wook
- Katharine Kim
- Nam Ki-moon
- Joon H. Choi
- Bob Seh
- Kim Hak-beom
- Ahn Soo-hyun
Reviews
Andres Gomez
Disturbing and sometimes really disgusting. Not to be watched while eating.
Aug 17, 2014
Thematic Analysis
This Drama/Horror/Thriller film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Thirst presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Park Chan-wook brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2009, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Thirst took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $5.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 134 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 180 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The musical score contains over 79 unique compositions.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2009, when this film is released:
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Thirst shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, which focuses more on action than character development, Thirst subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Black Water Vampire and Soft-Boiled Boots explore similar territory, Thirst stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 30, 2009
- Runtime: 2h 14m
- Budget: $5,000,000
- Revenue: $13,085,023
