Memoir of a Murderer

Memoir of a Murderer

Year: 2017

Runtime: 118 min

Language: Korean

Director: Shin-yeon Won

Echo Score: 87

Budget: $125K

ActionDramaThriller

A retired assassin struggling with Alzheimer's is forced to confront his dark past when his daughter becomes the target of a dangerous stalker. As his memories deteriorate, he must fight to protect her, battling both the stalker and the fading grip on his own sanity. Loyalty and love are tested in a suspenseful fight for survival and a chance at redemption.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Memoir of a Murderer (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Memoir of a Murderer (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film unfolds in a contemporary setting where Byeong-soo is faced with modern dilemmas of mental health, universal family issues, and the impact of violence on society. The narrative interjects elements of the past through Byeong-soo's memories, contrasting his current struggles with the haunting echoes of his former life as a killer.

Location

Bamboo Grove, Police Station, Convent, Deserted Shack, Isolated Cabin

The Bamboo Grove serves as a haunting site for Byeong-soo's clandestine activities, symbolizing the dark secrets he harbors. The Police Station provides a refuge and unexpected friendship for Byeong-soo as he navigates his chaotic reality. The Convent becomes a place of sanctuary for his daughter, representing hope and protection amidst the turmoil. The Deserted Shack and Isolated Cabin are critical locations where the film's tension escalates, encapsulating the gritty struggle between Byeong-soo and the psychopathic killer.

🌳 Bamboo Grove 🚔 Police Station ⛪ Convent 🏚️ Deserted Shack 🏠 Isolated Cabin

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

Main Characters – Memoir of a Murderer (2017)

Meet the key characters of Memoir of a Murderer (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Byeong-soo (Sol Kyung-gu)

Byeong-soo is a complex character haunted by his past as a murderer struggling with Alzheimer's disease. His mental decline manifests in confusion and paranoia, forcing him to confront both his memories and the consequences of his actions. Desperate to protect his daughter, he oscillates between the desire for redemption and the terror of his own history.

🐶 Veterinarian 🧟‍♂️ Haunted 🥺 Fatherly

Eun-hee (Seol-Hyun Kim)

Eun-hee is the devoted daughter whose love and concern for her father drive her to support him through his struggles. She embodies resilience and compassion, determined to navigate the turmoil wrought by her father's past. Her emotional journey supports the film's exploration of familial bonds and the search for truth.

❤️ Caring 💪 Resilient 🎓 Supportive

Min Tae-joo (Nam-gil Kim)

Min Tae-joo is the chilling antagonist, a psychopath whose sinister actions are central to the film's tension. His malevolent persona encapsulates the darkness Byeong-soo battles against, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. His presence serves as a constant reminder of the violence that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life.

🔪 Psychopath 🕵️‍♂️ Manipulative 🎭 Villainous

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

Major Themes – Memoir of a Murderer (2017)

Explore the central themes of Memoir of a Murderer (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Mental Decline

Byeong-soo’s journey through Alzheimer's highlights the fragility of memory and identity. As his mental state deteriorates, he grapples with paranoia and the fear of becoming a danger to those he loves. This theme emphasizes the psychological horror of losing one's mind while possessing a tumultuous past.

🔪 Murder

The theme of murder permeates the narrative, creating a chilling atmosphere where Byeong-soo’s past as a killer resurfaces. The juxtaposition of his serene life as a veterinarian with his violent history reflects the duality of human nature and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

🔗 Family Bonds

The intimate relationship between Byeong-soo and his daughter Eun-hee underscores the theme of familial ties amid chaos. Their bond serves as a source of strength but is also a catalyst for Byeong-soo’s inner conflict. The story examines the lengths one would go to protect loved ones, entwined with tragic revelations.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

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Thrillers with unreliable narrators like Memoir of a Murderer

Stories where the protagonist's fractured perception blurs the line between truth and paranoia.If you were captivated by the fractured perspective in Memoir of a Murderer, explore more movies like it. This list features psychological thrillers and dramas where the protagonist's unreliable memory, mental state, or perceptions create a suspenseful and disorienting experience, making you an active participant in deciphering the truth.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a central character whose grasp on reality is compromised, often by a condition like amnesia, dementia, or psychological trauma. The plot unfolds through their distorted viewpoint, creating suspense as the audience pieces together clues to separate fact from delusion, leading to a climactic revelation that recontextualizes everything.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core mechanic of psychological suspense built on an unreliable perspective. They create a specific, unsettling viewer experience where empathy for the protagonist is mixed with doubt, resulting in a tense and intellectually engaging journey.

Dark redemption thrillers like Memoir of a Murderer

A morally grey protagonist fights for a loved one's safety as a final chance at salvation.For viewers who enjoyed the theme of a troubled past colliding with a desperate present in Memoir of a Murderer. Discover similar movies about morally complex anti-heroes seeking redemption by protecting someone they love. These stories blend heavy emotional weight with intense action and often end on a bittersweet note.

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Narrative Summary

The journey follows a flawed character with a dark history—often an ex-assassin, criminal, or vigilante—whose secluded life is shattered when a new threat emerges. Their path to redemption is intrinsically tied to protecting a vulnerable person, forcing them to use the very skills they hoped to leave behind, ultimately sacrificing their peace for a greater good.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a powerful emotional core: the convergence of a protective instinct with a quest for personal salvation. They balance high-intensity action with heavy themes of guilt, sacrifice, and love, resulting in a gripping and emotionally resonant experience that typically concludes with a bittersweet resolution.

Unlock the Full Story of Memoir of a Murderer

Don't stop at just watching — explore Memoir of a Murderer in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Memoir of a Murderer is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Memoir of a Murderer Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Memoir of a Murderer, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Memoir of a Murderer Summary

Memoir of a Murderer Timeline

Track the full timeline of Memoir of a Murderer with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Memoir of a Murderer Timeline

Memoir of a Murderer Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Memoir of a Murderer that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Memoir of a Murderer Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Memoir of a Murderer

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