Cello

Set in contemporary times, the film uses modern technology such as cell phones and hospital care to anchor the story in the present day. The narrative frames Mi-ju's coma and the dream-like sequence of events as a modern psychological horror. The mood stays grounded in a familiar domestic environment while supernatural elements intensify the suspense.

Primarily set in a Korean family home, the story unfolds through intimate spaces like the attic and basement that become stages for tension and horror. The home acts as a private world where secrets fester and misdeeds threaten the family’s stability. The setting alternates between ordinary domestic life and uncanny, ghostly moments that blur the line between memory and reality.

🎻 Jealousy

Cellist Mi-ju's talent creates a toxic rivalry with Tae-yeon. The film reveals how professional envy can erode trust and friendships. Jealousy fuels misperceptions, leading to a deadly car crash and a chain of violent events. The ghostly haunting later reframes the rivalry as mutual guilt rather than a simple victory.

👻 Haunting and guilt

The narrative blurs the line between dream and reality as Mi-ju's memories and visions haunt her. The coma twist reframes the earlier events as a possible coma-induced hallucination, but the ghost remains a symbol of unresolved guilt. The haunting intensifies as the family becomes complicit in deception to protect each other. The film uses spectral imagery to explore how guilt can shape perception and action.

🗝️ Secrets and protection

Mi-ju's attempt to shield Yoon-jin and the others leads to dangerous cover-ups. The birthday scene reveals how family rituals mask underlying violence. Protection becomes control as Mi-ju manipulates facts to protect her child. The ending suggests that secrecy remains a dangerous force driving the family toward further conflict.