Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook's landmark Korean revenge thriller — a visceral, labyrinthine masterpiece of obsession, identity, and devastating secrets.
Oldboy - Movie Information
- Original Title: 올드보이
- Release Year: 2003
- Directed by: Park Chan-wook
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Action
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 0m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 21, 2003 (South Korea - 19), August 16, 2023 (United States - R), September 15, 2004 (Canada - 18A), October 15, 2004 (United Kingdom - 18), September 2, 2004 (Germany - 16), September 28, 2004 (France - 16), May 20, 2004 (Australia - R 18+), May 13, 2005 (Brazil - 18), September 2, 2005 (Mexico - C), May 6, 2005 (Italy - T), January 28, 2005 (Spain - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Oldeuboi (KR), همکلاسی قدیمی (IR), Gənc Qoca (AZ), Старо момче (BG)
- Production Companies: Show East, Egg Film, Cineclick Asia
- Production Countries: South Korea
Oldboy - Plot
With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.
Oldboy - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the relentless tension of Oldboy unfold:
15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance.
Where to Watch Oldboy
Looking for where to watch Oldboy?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Oldboy - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Park Chan-wook
Main Cast
- Choi Min-sik
- Yoo Ji-tae
- Kang Hye-jung
- Kim Byeong-ok
- Ji Dae-han
- Oh Dal-su
- Lee Seung-shin
- Yoon Jin-seo
- Oh Tae-kyung
- Yoo Yeon-seok
Writers
- Hwang Jo-yoon
- Lim Joon-hyung
- Park Chan-wook
Producers
- Syd Lim
Oldboy - FAQs
What is the shocking twist ending of Oldboy explained?
The film's devastating twist reveals that Lee Woo-jin orchestrated Oh Dae-su's imprisonment to engineer an incestuous relationship between Dae-su and his own daughter Mi-do, mirroring Woo-jin's own forbidden love with his sister. Dae-su begs a hypnotist to erase the truth, choosing willful ignorance over unbearable reality.
Where can you stream or watch Oldboy?
Oldboy is available to stream free on Tubi TV (with ads) and Kanopy. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Check JustWatch for the most current regional availability.
Is Oldboy based on a true story or source material?
Oldboy is not based on a true story. It is adapted from a Japanese manga of the same name by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi, published between 1996 and 1998. Park Chan-wook significantly reimagined the source material, altering major plot elements and the film's central mystery.
Who are the main actors in Oldboy?
Oldboy stars Choi Min-sik as Oh Dae-su, the man imprisoned for 15 years, and Yoo Ji-tae as the enigmatic antagonist Lee Woo-jin. Kang Hye-jung plays Mi-do, the young woman who becomes Dae-su's companion and love interest after his release.
Did Oldboy win any major awards?
Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, where jury president Quentin Tarantino was a vocal champion of the film. It also swept numerous South Korean film awards, including multiple Grand Bell Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
What is the age rating and content warning for Oldboy?
Oldboy is rated R in the United States. The film contains extreme violence, graphic torture, disturbing sexual content including incest, and intense psychological themes. It is strictly intended for mature audiences and is considered one of the most challenging and confrontational films in world cinema.
How long is Oldboy and when was it released?
Oldboy has a runtime of 2 hours (120 minutes). It premiered in South Korea on November 21, 2003, and received its US release on August 16, 2023. The film was released across numerous international markets throughout 2004 and 2005.
What movies are similar to Oldboy?
Viewers who enjoyed Oldboy often appreciate Park Chan-wook's companion revenge films Lady Vengeance (2005) and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), as well as I Saw the Devil (2010), Memories of Murder (2003), The Handmaiden (2016), and the American remake Oldboy (2013).
More About Oldboy
Explore further details, ratings, and databases for Oldboy: