Jam (2023)
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Duration: 95 minuten
Alternative titles: Sleep / 잠
Country:
South Korea
Directed by: Jason Yu
Stars: Jung Yu-mi, Lee Sun-kyun and Kim Guk-hee
IMDb score:
6,6 (4.514)
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Reviews & comments
Collins
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- 7350 messages
- 4348 votes
About a South Korean couple where the man sleepwalks. It starts off innocently enough with a few trips out of bed but gradually takes on a grimmer character when the man not only walks around but also starts performing stranger and more aggressive actions. The film spends a lot of time on the pathology of sleepwalking. However, medical science is eventually at its wits' end and from that moment on other possibilities enter the film. The psychological approach is open. A broad field of research into the dark side of men seems imminent. Interesting.
My expectations are not met. The film does not seek to explore the unfathomable depths of the human mind but reaches for the metaphysical potential of the sleepless situation. Can be fun but is often rather clichéd. And that is also the case in Jam. That does not take away from the fact that the film contains strong scenes that all have to do with attempts to curb the dangerous behavior of the man. Less with the paranormal aspect. Despite the unsurprising development of the story, a fine oppressive atmosphere is created.
Still, it’s a shame that a film that once seemed like it wasn’t going to go in an obvious metaphysical direction does so anyway. It introduces a disembodied spirit that is the cause of all evil. I love haunted house movies, but in this case the ghost is conjured up rather lazily to provide a clichéd finale. I was hoping for something more profound.
Translated from Dutch · View original
remorz
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- 2498 messages
- 2752 votes
Soo-jin notices that her husband Hyun-su is starting to behave more and more strangely in his sleep. What starts as innocent sleep-babbling quickly becomes more threatening when he visits the refrigerator while sleepwalking or seems to have it in for their dog. Especially because she is pregnant, she increasingly fears for their safety and together they start looking for the cause of the symptoms to see what can be done about it.
This path runs along some predictable stations and steps, where both medical science and a medium are consulted and of course their unanimity and trust are put to the test. Although it contains few surprises, the film, with a good sense of timing and a modest but effective soundtrack, manages to create an atmosphere that keeps your attention. The final reveal is then presented to you somewhat bite-sized - by means of a literal PP presentation! - and certainly Soo-jin's actions and motivations should be taken with a grain of salt, but it all remains reasonably charming.
Less stylized than I would expect from a South Korean production but with a bigger budget and perhaps an external screenwriter, I can see debuting director Yu building on this even more creatively or at least grander. For now, this is typically one of those films that lacks that grandeur and that you might forget in a few years, but for the running time it is all quite entertaining. 3*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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