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As soon as I saw that Kagawa Teruyuki acted in a main role here, I knew this would be excellent. I'd previously seen him in (the later produced) series "99.9 Keiji Senmon Bengoshi" and "Roppongi Class".
And, as expected from any film shown on the JFF Theater platform, the actors are brilliant. They are indeed so brilliant that there is no need for dramatic music, or experimental camera work -- the actor's way of portraying their characters is what carries this film.

Most of the film's value comes from how the characters react to their circumstances (or, rather how they try to shape them) -- which is why the actor's capabilities are so important.
I don't want to spoil anything about the plot and its little twists and turns. Maybe just this: This is not a "firework of jokes" kind of comedy -- yes, there are some scenes that made me laugh out loud, like right in the beginning, when Kanae Mizushima straightens her desk and then takes out a small vacuum cleaner for the finish; most of the comedic bits are more subtle.

And a short word about the romance -- yes, there is a romance story -- it was very cute. Two oddballs falling in love with each other, over their shared passion for plans and lists, was sweet to watch. And the hug in the end was everything.

As the best comedies do, this film also touches upon question of human existence: What is love? And what are you willing to do for it? What makes you "you"? How do you "know" who you are? And can you be an ethical killer?

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“ A Heartfelt and Hilariously Unique Take on Love, Loss, and Friendship"

Marry My Dead Body is an unexpected gem in the supernatural comedy genre. It cleverly balances comedy, emotional moments, and social themes, making it more than just a quirky ghost story. The setup—a ghost marriage between a living police officer and a spirit—sounds outlandish, but the show quickly proves that it has more depth than expected.

One of the drama’s strongest aspects is its character development. Both leads start off with their own flaws and biases, and their journey together is full of growth and unexpected friendship. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and they play off each other perfectly, providing a mix of laugh-out-loud humor and deeply touching moments. This contrast between comedic banter and genuine emotion keeps the story engaging and relatable, despite its fantastical premise.

The show also deserves credit for its sensitive handling of LGBTQ+ themes, which can be rare in Asian dramas. It addresses societal prejudices in a natural and thought-provoking way, allowing the story to go beyond surface-level humor and explore deeper questions about acceptance, identity, and love.

Visually, the drama is vibrant and well-crafted, with an effective use of special effects that enhance the supernatural elements without feeling overdone. The production quality is solid, and the pacing feels just right, keeping the story moving while giving us time to connect with the characters.

If there’s any minor downside, it might be that some plot points feel a bit predictable, or that certain comedic elements get repeated. But these are small critiques in an otherwise well-executed drama.

Overall: Marry My Dead Body is a heartfelt, funny, and refreshingly original drama that strikes a beautiful balance between humor, romance, and social commentary. It’s not afraid to tackle tough topics while still keeping things light and entertaining. For anyone looking for a unique drama with depth and humor, this is a must-watch.

Final Rating: 9.5/10

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Sweet, heartwarming story

Wish we had more movies/series like this one, it deserves a sequel. Even better than the manga in my opinion but the manga is good as well.
Beautiful scenery, excellent actors, characters that grow in a simple story without forced drama just for the sake of it. Good pacing for the story but maybe a bit slow for some, realistic, cute story of 2 characters falling in love, enjoyed their family dynamics as well.
The camera was shaky on purpose for a scene but it did not really work well in my opinion, the way it was filmed made me think it was a bit older then 2020, their love story was a bit rushed at the end, wish they had more romantic scenes.
Rewatched it, will see it again in the future.

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Very interesting for a first watch

The movie is quite interesting, storyline wise - I would say it is alright. I would not say it is the best story line but one that makes me question how can the "dad" in the movie try teach the kid a lesson that way?! I would definitely agree that it is like 100% the father's fault. You just do not leave your child alone in an unknown place just to "teach" the child! Donnie Yen definitely did a remarkable job portraying his role very well. The ending of the movie, definitely not expected, was a very sad ending.

There isn't much music noticed when watching the show. There are definitely on the toes moments and it keeps you wondering if the boy will be found in the end. But nonetheless, the movie is a great first time watch, however - for me personally - I would not go for a re-watch , no matter how much I love Donnie Yen's movies.

I would feel sad and sorry for any child or person who get lost in the wilderness, however, in this movie.... I would just say the fault of the parent. Bad parenting. Not the right way of teaching your kid - no matter how angry the kid made you.

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The most basic aspects of disabled people you should know already

This film shows you how a young man with cerebral palsy faces difficulty and discrimination, how he can be in despair because of it, and yet how he can have hope and dignity. That's like the most basic story you can write about disabled people. There aren't enough representations of people with cerebral palsy on media so this could still be meaningful to some people, but I didn't expect a film like this in the competition category at an international film festival. If they cast Jackson Yee because they prioritized getting more recognition for the cause I get it, and he seemed to have put in a lot of work for this role. But you must know it's not a competition material when a film like 37 seconds already exists. Watching an able-bodied actor play a person with cerebral palsy for two hours, including a dream sequence where he acts "normal" with a pretty girl he met earlier so conveniently, was not a pleasant experience for me.

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Cure on Crack

Cure if Kurosawa was on crack, as the same hypnosis aspect and a very similar feeling throughout especially in the direction and cinematography. The last 20 minutes is pretty ridiculous but in an endearingly overly dramatic way so you can't get mad at it kinda ruining the rest of the movie. All of the suicides manage to be very effective and memorable scenes though, I was pretty surprised how much they stuck with me, particularly the scene with Dvorak's 'From the New World'. I really liked Masayuki Ochiai's directing here, I'm keen to watch more from him.

The first stage of the credits with the names of the stars is so overly dramatic it's awesome. Also, it's probably just a coincidence, but it was interesting seeing someone with exactly the same design as Lilico in the 2012 Helter Skelter movie.

If you want an interesting but a bit campy horror movie or something to scratch the Cure itch, I recommend.

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Are choices really choices.

This movie deserves a 10 because it is not only beautifully executed, but the story is complex enough to warrant way more than a single viewer perspective. Most reviews touch upon the juxtaposition of the FL’s non-conformism with the compromises of her peers and former friends. And that is striking, especially on the backdrop of such a conservative society. Her condition causes her only to “go gray prematurely” but that is unlikely. Premature graying is usually associated with stress. Either psychological or physiological, and stress wreaks havoc on the body. It might not be her choice, she might need to take things slow and tread lightly not to pay the ultimate price. Through that lens, her non-confrontational nature might not exactly be her second nature. And the drama raises the question of whether she can prosteticize with her friends who go to extraordinary lengths to provide for themselves and their families, can she be a benefactor of that while she doesn't participate in the grueling routines and personality-undermining decisions? All the while we are shown her friends are exhausted and don't have space to accommodate a freeloader. The movie is about how little space for individual compassion, cooperation, and compromise such a society leaves.

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really good, easy to watch thriller!

I just came around to watch it, I wasn't sure if I should watch it at first.
If it will be good, but I'm sooo freaking glad I did watch this movie.
the story was really well written imo, the cast was perfectly chosen.
from the beginning until the end it had me hanging in there to see more. I wish I could have seen more at the end of Na-Mi after everything. but maybe if that would have happend it would make the movie less good, sometimes it's better to end like this.
all 117 mins were packed with important story und visuals, I didn't feel like any minute had any kind of filler reason.
idk why I was sometimes rooting for the villan to not get caught, tbh only until the end in the end I was totally rooting for the victim!
the actor playing the "villan" was a good choice, he made the charakter really believable! Great work.
I highly recommend to watch this movie, even if just once it's really well made.
thanks to the Filmmakers behind it for the work they put in and also to all the main and supporting actors who put there work into it.

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Watch it for the insights into South Korean society.

This film, from 2001, is in my eyes more interesting for its historical value and the insights it gives into South Korean society then -- and now -- than for its own merit.

The story itself is okay-ish, I did not laugh that much even if it was supposed to be a comedy (there was too much violence against innocents for that). In the storytelling, the directing and the camera work we can see the roots of today's masterpieces, it's still uneven but there are also brilliant scenes.

For that, and the insights into society, I'll give eight stars.

I have been thinking for a while now that violence seems to pervade South Korean's society (which is not that surprising, considering people lived under a military regime until 1987, and also the strictly hierarchical structure that's still there). In this movie, this idea was confirmed.

Yes, it's a film about gangsters, and a comedy, so a certain amount of violence is to be expected. But let's have a look at the different situations where people use force:

1. The violence amongst the gangsters is, as I said, expected. But I want to point out one aspect -- the boss casually slaps around his subordinate. If you've seen other K-Dramas, you've probably seen this kind of violence a lot. It's only interesting in the light of ...

... 2. the bullying of the newbie by the class bully and his cronies, which is probably intended as funny. The roles are inverted, the boss is now the victim and can't fight back (because he, in turn, is pressured by HIS boss to get an education). The bully, in turn is ...

... 3. bullied by another gangs of students. Violence begets violence -- but this circle of violence is not even worth mentioning for the protagonists. Instead the main character "defeats" the bullies by beating them up.

4. Teachers slap their students around habitually. This was, until a few years ago, a practice condoned by society in South Korea. I don't know if it still is. Slapping, beating students when they are already on the ground, beating them with sticks -- all of it is obvously "okay".

4. The violence against teachers (by students, by parents) is, in contrast, very much condemned.

So, violence against subordinates, against those lower in seniority, against those lower in status -- this is absolutely all right in this movie. As media are just a mirror of society, this is what people who are now adults, have learned. You can see this in the interaction between fathers and sons, between bosses and subordinates. It becomes clear when an older man in a drama has difficulties to understand that young people (especially women, but that's a whole other kettle of fish) are allowed to speak their minds.

If you, dear reader of this review, watch your next K-Drama, maybe keep this in mind while interpreting the drama, you might see certain scenes in a new light.

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Watch it as a Prequel to 2025 Drama & for Ji Chang Wook ❤️

Saw this movie & writing this review in 2024: This film is a pure blockbuster action-thriller, with focus on car chases, fight scenes, slow-motions, explosions etc. There is not much on the mystery (of the real killer - it revealed very early on), logic/reason behind their action is not impactful/suspensefully revealed, or any time given on any characters' development.
I assumed it to be a psychological mystery/thriller given the synopsis of the drama but was disappointed on that front.

JCW is a treat to watch as always with his looks and acting as a game addict turned action hero. But my expectation were otherwise set - so this was an okay movie for me. I'm expecting things to be better now that the reboot will be out in 2025, played again by JCW. It will also have EXO's DO & other famous cast members, so hoping for the scale to be larger, more detailed and antagonist to be revealed with a twist (psycho character played by DO would be great too!)

VERDICT - Can Pass, unless one wants to know the original story like me, before watching the Fabricated City drama in 2025.

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1 hour 30 minutes of awful CGI and sweaty ass leng feng

Okay so I wrote the original review for this and that's in quotes and the rest is an analysis of what I am saying and wolf warrior diplomacy. If you are not my IR teacher, the movie sucked, and don't waste your time, if you are, keep reading. 6/10.

Through its chaotic narrative and heavy-handed portrayal of nationalism, Wolf Warrior serves as a cinematic reflection of "Wolf Warrior Diplomacy," China’s assertive and often combative approach to international relations. YAY IR!

I think that Wolf Warrior Diplomacy reflects China's increasingly aggressive stance in international relations, like said previously, shifting from a hide your strength, bide your time shit to one that unapologetically asserts China's interests. This combative diplomatic style became very prominent after this shity-ass movie., hence the name Wolf Warrior Diplomacy. This is seen through Leng Feng’s character and the film’s portrayal of Western antagonists and Chinese drug dealers.

"The Westerners just dropped like 6 bodies, holy fuck," really just goes to show how the film portrays Westerners as lawless aggressors who really just fight to fight, positioning them as stark antagonists to Chinese protagonists (even though Leng was also dropping bodies). The choice aligns perfectly with Wolf Warrior Diplomacy’s strategy, portraying China as a moral or better authority protecting its people from foreign threats while challenging Western dominance (which they didn't really do in the movie, but this is what they were trying to get at).

Do it for your country (patriotism and the sacrifice trope): The film’s constant reinforcement of patriotism, I fight for China" stickers, heavy use of "traitors will damn their ancestors," and Leng Feng’s courage, really align with the ideology that Wolf Warrior Diplomacy promotes: unwavering loyalty to China. Despite there the fact there is "no plot, just bad CGI and Leng Feng fucking sweating" and I think this constant "sweating" because that's all he even does, emphasizes the physical and emotional sacrifice tied to Chinese patriotism in Wolf Warrior. Leng Feng’s heroic willingness to endure any hardship for his country mirrors the message that Wolf Warrior Diplomacy wants to send, China will go to great lengths to protect its interests and citizens, regardless of the cost.

Power: I think the film highlights advanced technology and exaggerated battle scenes, "Very aggressive, shooting up the drug place," with Leng Feng and others using a "sniper," and "some of the worst battle scenes," and "a rocket launcher on the boat," intending to highlight China’s military might but in the end just showing how bad their CGI is. Through this portrayal, Wolf Warrior aims to solidify China’s image as a formidable power, just as Wolf Warrior Diplomacy seeks to assert China's technological and military advancements on the global stage.

Gender and heroism: "The women are in charge and not on the battlefield," suggesting that the film might be attempting to subtly support China’s traditional gender roles, positioning men like Leng Feng as rugged protectors and women as reserved, contributing in supportive roles and shitty ass love interests that only love leng when he steps on a landmine. Although this choice is more subtle, it feeds into the film’s underlying theme of loyalty and sacrifice, with men like Leng Feng enduring personal trauma, as seen when he “carries his fallen comrade in the rain like a badass.”

Western villains and Chinese virtue: The movie’s cartoonish portrayal of Westerners as unscrupulous drug dealers and antagonists serves to further enforce the Wolf Warrior Diplomacy narrative, painting China as a victim of Western interference and aggression. The demonization of the West and the glorification of Chinese courage serve to rally patriotic sentiment, both within China and among its global allies.

In conclusion, Wolf Warrior is a cinematic extension of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy, playing out China's diplomatic assertiveness through Leng Feng’s unwavering loyalty, the starkly portrayed Western villains, and the message that China will always defend its own. For viewers, this blend of nationalism, anti-Western sentiment, and gritty action encapsulates the ideological shift that Wolf Warrior Diplomacy represents, even if the film itself is lowkey bogged down by the "no plot, just bad CGI." This style aims not only to entertain but also to inspire a sense of national pride, through a sweat-soaked, action-heavy spectacle that was so terrible that I will never get that 1 hour and 30 minutes back. Do not watch this shit. Okay bye!

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