With more deaths than a Shakespearean novel, I bring to you Hwayi. A movie that has a promising premise but ultimately turns out to be a disappointment as it throws away the concepts it struggles to build.

It tells the tale of a kidnapped boy(Hwayi) who is raised by five murderers. Hwayi’s journey though is one of self-discovery as he attempts to discover who he is in more ways than one. First is the topic of his identity as circumstances lead to him discovering that he was kidnapped as a boy. Hence begins his quest to figure out who he is. Amidst this he is also on a journey of self-discovery as he floats in between normalcy and the violent environment that he’s in. Then is also family love as he discovers his new family but is also rooted to his old one. Then you have a story that is looser than than than a one size fits all dress.

Unfortunately, while Hwayi seems deep, it is just very lack luster that it leaves the whole movie feeling tedious and lost. Most of the supporting characters in this movie such as the cops lend absolutely nothing to the plot at all. Another unnecessary addition is the stereotypical action scenes that don't need to be there. The chase scenes are ridiculous and look so low budget you have a hard time believing it. Ultimately they lend nothing to the movie other than the dragged out time. A lot of concepts are thrown in here, but they are never well done making the movie have very few compelling moments. The only decent action sequences come from a few fights but a majority of the movie is gun usage which is terribly done. At some of the action scenes, bullets kind of seem to materialize out of no where and it’s not evident who is shooting who.

The movie, transcends mediocrity (just a little) due to two people. Hwayi played by Yeo Jin Gu and one of his fathers played by Kim Yoon Suk. They both blend in to the gray tinged tones of the movie very well and as characters, really lift this lackluster plot. However, despite the magnificent acting displayed by both, ultimately, there’s almost nothing that is truly focused on and sharpened. It deals with the concept of monsters but completely throws that concept under the rag with what is somewhat of a plot twist. I'm apprehensive about calling it that because it’s neither compelling nor triggers my interest much. It deals with self-discovery but that concept also suffers a bigger death than most of the characters in the movie. It deals with family life but that is also just not developed enough and ultimately, there is nothing that really sticks. When you think it is going somewhere, it takes a completely different direction.

At the end of this journey, I found myself beyond disappointed. The script is just mediocre and I really wish the writer would have made it tighter. The more you watch, the less stellar it is and frankly, it did not need the length that it had. The only pros to this are the good acting which lend a hand to the few compelling moments. The compelling moments come from the moments of self-conflict such as when Hwayi hesitates to shoot but there are moments when he hesitates but mere seconds later does and you're just there going… For a move that seems heavy in philosophy, it really should have explored its themes better. Furthermore, the conclusion for me was just terrible. Another unnecessary addition to leave us with an ill placed "feel good" moment. Furthermore, because the relationship between the two characters involved was barely developed, it was just another scratch in the head.

Overall, underwhelming due to a scattered plot.