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Open City

Open City

Action · Crime · 2008

Jo Dae-yeong is a police officer investigating a pickpocket ring with ties to the Yakuza. One day he rescues Baek Jang-mi from danger, only to discover that she is the boss of the gang he has been tracking.

Movie details

Open City

“Nothing is what it seems.”

2008 Action · Crime 1h 52m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

Jo Dae-yeong is a police officer investigating a pickpocket ring with ties to the Yakuza. One day he rescues Baek Jang-mi from danger, only to discover that she is the boss of the gang he has been tracking.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Open City?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Flash

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Oscar Shaw

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After retiring from the police force, a relentless detective haunted by the tragic loss of his closest friend sets out on a perilous quest for vengeance, seeking redemption and fighting to restore justice to the streets he once swore to protect.

Troubleshooter

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The Con Artists

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Thick as Thieves

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The Racket

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Lee Sang-gi

Written by

Lee Sang-gi

Son Ye-jin

Son Ye-jin

Baek Jang-mi

Kim Myung-min

Kim Myung-min

Jo Dae-yeong

Kim Hae-sook

Kim Hae-sook

Kang Man-ok

Kim Joon-bae

Kim Joon-bae

Franken

Park Sung-woong

Park Sung-woong

Detective Hong

Yoon Yeong-geol

Yoon Yeong-geol

Bravo Cone Detective

Lee Eun-mi

Lee Eun-mi

Massage Girl

Court is in session

Put Open City on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Sentimental Softie

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.