6.7/10
The Ugly is a 2025 South Korean mystery thriller written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, adapted from his own 2018 graphic novel. Known internationally for works that blend genre storytelling with moral unease, Yeon shifts into a quieter but deeply unsettling register with this film. Rather than spectacle, The Ugly relies on atmosphere, performance, and psychological weight to carry its story.
Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival before its South Korean theatrical release, the film quickly drew attention for its minimalist production approach and its emotionally demanding performances. At its core, The Ugly is less about solving a mystery and more about confronting what time, silence, and denial do to people left behind.
The Ugly (2025 Film) – Official Trailer
What Is The Ugly About?
The story follows Lim Dong-hwan, a man drawn back into his past after a discovery forces him to confront long-buried questions surrounding his family history. His father, a legendary yet visually impaired artisan, looms over the narrative as both an admired figure and a source of unresolved tension.
Rather than presenting a conventional investigative thriller, the film unfolds slowly, allowing fragments of memory and implication to surface piece by piece. The focus remains on emotional truth rather than narrative shock, making the journey inward as important as the answers themselves.
A Psychological Thriller Focused on Identity and Memory
The Ugly explores how identity is shaped not only by what is known, but by what is hidden. The film consistently asks whether truth brings clarity or merely replaces one burden with another. Its tension comes from restraint — from what characters avoid saying as much as what they reveal.
Yeon Sang-ho deliberately avoids sensationalism, choosing instead to let discomfort linger. The result is a thriller that feels intimate and heavy, where the past presses against the present in quiet but relentless ways.
Performances That Carry the Film
Park Jeong-min delivers a demanding dual performance that anchors the entire film. His portrayal balances restraint with emotional volatility, allowing subtle shifts in expression and posture to convey decades of unspoken history. The performance has been widely praised as one of the strongest of his career.
Supporting performances from Kwon Hae-hyo and Shin Hyun-been add further emotional depth, particularly in scenes that rely on implication rather than dialogue. The film’s effectiveness depends heavily on this ensemble’s ability to convey pain, guilt, and affection without overt explanation.
Minimalist Production, Maximum Atmosphere
Produced on an extremely modest budget, The Ugly embraces its limitations as a creative strength. Sets are sparse, locations are controlled, and the camera often lingers uncomfortably close to its subjects. This stripped-down approach keeps the focus firmly on character psychology.
Yeon Sang-ho’s decision to avoid elaborate staging results in a film that feels claustrophobic and personal. Every scene serves the emotional core of the story, reinforcing its themes of confinement, memory, and unresolved grief.
Critical Reception and Awards Recognition
Critical response to The Ugly has been mixed but engaged. While some critics found its pacing challenging, many praised its ambition, performances, and thematic depth. Park Jeong-min’s work, in particular, earned widespread acclaim and multiple award nominations.
The film’s recognition at Korean film awards reflects its impact within the industry, even as international critics remained divided. Regardless of reception, The Ugly has sparked discussion for its willingness to prioritize emotional weight over conventional thrills.
Is The Ugly Worth Watching?
The Ugly is not a fast or comforting film. It demands patience, attention, and emotional investment from its audience. Viewers expecting a traditional mystery with clear-cut resolutions may find it deliberately frustrating.
However, for those who appreciate slow-burn psychological thrillers and character-driven storytelling, the film offers a haunting and memorable experience. Its power lies in what it refuses to simplify.
FAQ – The Ugly (2025 Film)
Is The Ugly based on a true story?
No, the film is adapted from a graphic novel by director Yeon Sang-ho, not real events.
Who directed The Ugly?
The film was written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho.
What genre is The Ugly?
It is a mystery thriller with strong psychological and dramatic elements.
Did The Ugly perform well at the box office?
Yes, the film surpassed one million admissions in South Korea and performed strongly for a low-budget release.
Is The Ugly a horror film?
No, while unsettling, it is not a horror film. Its tension is psychological rather than supernatural.
Conclusion
The Ugly stands as one of Yeon Sang-ho’s most restrained and introspective works. By stripping away spectacle and focusing on performance, memory, and moral discomfort, the film creates a deeply personal form of suspense. It is a story that lingers not because of what it shows, but because of what it forces the audience to confront.
While not universally accessible, The Ugly rewards viewers willing to sit with unease and ambiguity. It is a quiet, heavy film that proves mystery does not need noise to be disturbing — sometimes, silence is far more unsettling.
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