#Alive is an action-horror thriller that came out in 2020, directed by Cho Il-hyung. The film was co-written by Matt Naylor, who based it off his screenplay Alone. It features prominent South Korean actors Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye, telling the story of a modern urban zombie outbreak and how people attempt to survive and connect with others during the chaotic situation. The film, which was released during the Covid-19 pandemic, had a deep emotional impact on the audience due to its themes of isolation and intense atmosphere, as well as its strong focus on characters.
Plot Summary
The film follows the story of Oh Joon-woo, a gamer and live streamer who exclusively resides in a high-rise building in Seoul. His routine life comes to a sudden halt when a new city-wide infection emerges, turning citizens into violent zombies. The situation deteriorates quickly. With Joon-woo glued to the television, he learns through news coverage that the government is losing control and there is a rapidly growing population of infected.
As his neighbors succumb to an unknown threat, Joon-woo barricades himself in his apartment, relying on his skills, a failing internet connection, and digital tools to survive. For the time being, he has limited supplies and only brief contact with the outside world. When he reaches out to his family, all he gets is a voicemail suggesting they have been overtaken by the outbreak.
As well as battling external threats, he has to deal with internal ones too: overwhelming isolation, despair, and the haunting notion that no help is on the way. At one point, completely consumed by grief, he nearly takes his own life. Everything changes for him when he spots a red dot from a laser pointer moving around his apartment.
The laser is from Kim Yoo-bin, who lives across from Joon-woo. Determined to break the isolation, Yoo-bin, equally resourceful, makes contact with Joon-woo through makeshift tools. They quickly bond and begin to develop plans on how to survive and provide each other emotional support. Sharing information and resources was made possible thanks to drones, pulley systems, and ingenious strategies.
During their escape, they meet a seemingly friendly man who offers them food and shelter. It soon becomes clear to them, however, that he means to sacrifice them by feeding his infected wife, who is chained in a back room. After a horrifying showdown, they manage to escape and get to the rooftop, where they almost get surrounded by zombies. Just as they prepare for what seems to be their final stand, a military helicopter swoops in and rescues them as the Korean military begins restoring order to the city.
Main Cast and Performances
Yoo fully captures the transformation that Oh Joon Woo experiences from an observed helpless bystander into a fighting survivor. He also portrays the psychological descent into fear and the subsequent return to purpose beautifully. Yoo captures emotional fragility, exasperated frustration, and determination, and in doing so brings the character remarkable depth.
The role of Kim Yoo-bin, Joon Woo’s calmer, more resourceful counterpart, is played by Park Shin Hye. From the story’s perspective, she provides a stable anchor at a time when everything is chaotic. The performance Park offers is subdued, yet its quiet strength, along with its independence, delivers a compelling impact.
Jeon Bae Soo is the masked man, a chilling appa who embodies in themselves the notion that the real peril during apocalyptic scenarios often stems from within and not from collapse.
Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye’s chemistry is understated but critical to the story, as their developing relationship becomes the film’s emotional heartbeat.
Direction and Cinematography
Cho Il-hyung has made his first feature film as a director and, with it, he delivers a clear and well-paced film. The high-rise apartment locations and the solitude of the characters pulls the audience into an increasingly intimate and personal experience. Rather than spoon feeding the audience with information, Cho prefers very little exposition and allows the spaces, both physical and emotional, to reveal the plot.
Following Son Won-ho’s use of the cinematographer, he uses the arrangement of the apartment to capture the scenes from narrow hallways, cramped rooms, and obstructed windows. This restriction adds to the feeling of claustrophobia and builds tension. The lights are also configured to change according to the emotional state of the characters, going from harsh lights to dark or flickering emergency lights.
As is evident in the rest of the film, the digital devices such as phones, tablets, and drones are used as narrative tools. These devices highlight how modern society relies on technology and social media, and how those tools become lifelines in moments of crisis.
Subjects
Isolation and Digital Dependence
#Alive shows very dramatic a portrayal of isolation. As Joon-woo starts the film, he is deeply immersed in his digital realm. When the physical world tumbles down, he is both consoled and imprisoned by his digital world. His breakdowns reveal the emotional toll that digital dependency takes during times when connection is crucial.
Human Connection in Crisis
The arrival of Yoo-bin steps into a rather singular survival horror dimension towards an uplifting perception of resilient hope. Their makeshift dialogues and mutual caring in another form display everything small measures of human connection can do, restore immense purpose.
Adaptability and Growth
Both of the main characters go through some change in the course of the film. Joon-woo evolves from a passive participant to an engaging defender. Yoo-bin, already capable, becomes willing to accept help from others. Their change illustrates how crises can challenge and transform humanity.
Albatroz: the Movie (just made this up, consider it a title)
The #Alive release date during the growing COVID-19 pandemic served as an unintentional echo to social realities. The fear of quarantine, supply shortages, isolation, and fear of infection were felt on a global scale. The depiction of being “trapped at home” resonated with millions of people across the globe.
Reception and Impact:
In South Korea, the film performed very well at the box office amid the ongoing restrictions. It dominated the local charts for weeks and brought in audiences during the cautious reopening. Its debut on a major streaming platform in September 2020 marked the film’s international success. It reached number one in multiple countries within days, becoming one of the most-watched horror films that year.
Critics appreciated the film’s scale-focused intimacy, character-driven focus, and its modern relevance. While it lacks the epic scope of zombie blockbusters like Train to Busan, many found its minimalist realism and psychological focus captivating.
Most viewers enjoyed the film’s take on the zombie genre and found its relatable emotions and clever survival tactics captivating. Additionally, the film ignited conversations surrounding mental health, particularly how grief impacts hope during a crisis.
Legacy and Genre Contribution:
In the dense field of zombie cinema, #Alive stands out for its ability to balance emotion with action and tension with introspection. It infused age-old survival tactics with modern conveniences such as drones, mobile networks, and livestreams, reflecting a society that lives as much online as off.
It further recognized Korean genre films, adding to the list of innovative South Korean cinema that blends horror with human drama. It also led to an American remake, although many fans of the original version claim it lacks the emotional depth and culturally grounded context of the original.
Conclusion
#Alive is not just a zombie thriller; it depicts a tale of human resilience in dire circumstances, the power of unique bonds, and the unyielding resolve to move forward when everything crumbles. With powerful performances and tight direction, the film’s relatable themes transcend its genre. Whether watched as a survival film, a psychological drama, or a commentary about life in a pandemic, #Alive delivers an intriguing and urgent cinematic experience.
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