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1987: When the Day Comes

1987: When the Day Comes

Drama · History · Thriller · 2017

In 1987 Korea under an oppressive military regime, the unlawful interrogation and death of a college student ignite ordinary citizens to fight for the truth and bring about justice.

Movie details

1987: When the Day Comes

“The truth must be told.”

2017 Drama · History · Thriller 2h 9m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

8.0 / 10

Community rating

In 1987 Korea under an oppressive military regime, the unlawful interrogation and death of a college student ignite ordinary citizens to fight for the truth and bring about justice.

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 1987: When the Day Comes?

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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May 18

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The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. Seeing as the soldiers beat defenceless people, mainly students, to death, the citizens are in for retaliation and form a militia.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Jang Joon-hwan

Written by

Kim Kyung-chan

Kim Yoon-seok

Kim Yoon-seok

Park Cheo-won

Ha Jung-woo

Ha Jung-woo

Prosecutor Choi Hwan

Yoo Hai-jin

Yoo Hai-jin

Han Byung-yong

Kim Tae-ri

Kim Tae-ri

Yeon-hee

Park Hee-soon

Park Hee-soon

Detective Jo Han-kyung

Lee Hee-jun

Lee Hee-jun

Reporter Yoon Sang-sam

Sul Kyung-gu

Sul Kyung-gu

Kim Jung-nam

Court is in session

Put 1987: When the Day Comes on trial.

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

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.