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Year: 2013
Runtime: 104 min
Language: English
Director: Spike Lee
In a whirlwind of rage and revelation, a man's decades-long ordeal unfolds as he embarks on a perilous quest for truth: uncovering the sinister forces behind his 20-year captivity, seeking revenge against those responsible, and confronting the darkest secrets of his own troubled past.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Oldboy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Joe Doucett, portrayed by Josh Brolin, is a disillusioned marketing salesman whose reckless behavior leads to disastrous consequences in both his professional and personal life. After missing his daughter Mia’s third birthday party, Joe has a heated argument with his estranged wife, claiming, “a three-year-old wouldn’t care if he came or not.” This self-destructive path results in a night of heavy drinking, culminating in a series of events that finds him waking up in a small hotel room, trapped and isolated, where food is delivered but human contact is forbidden.
As the years pass in captivity, Joe faces the torment of hallucinations and the heartbreak of learning through a news broadcast that his wife has been brutally murdered, with him framed as the prime suspect. With time on his hands, he devotes himself to physical training and writes heartfelt letters to Mia, now growing up without him and becoming a celebrated cello player. All the while, he is monitored by Samuel L. Jackson, portraying Chaney, who is part of the web of intrigue surrounding Joe’s imprisonment.
After two decades, Joe unexpectedly finds himself freed, armed only with a countdown timer on a cell phone bearing his daughter’s picture. His quest for answers leads him to Elizabeth Olsen, a compassionate nurse named Marie Sebastian, who tries to help him regain his bearings. At the same time, he confronts his haunting past by reconnecting with friends, like Chucky, and reviewing all the lives he has wronged.
Desperate for resolution, Joe embarks on a brutal journey, culminating in a bloody confrontation with Chaney that reveals the true mastermind behind his suffering, Sharlto Copley as Adrian. As layers of deceit uncover a twisted connection to his past, including a tragic and horrific family history involving Adrian, Joe’s world turns darker than he ever imagined.
It becomes apparent that everything surrounding his imprisonment, including manipulations of his daughter’s existence, is a excruciating plan for revenge. Adrian’s motivation stems from a deep-seated vendetta against Joe, ultimately leading to a shocking revelation about Mia’s identity and a heart-wrenching finale of misguided intentions and lost years. The desperate fight for redemption leaves Joe with the haunting question of what sacrifices are truly worth it, reflecting on his journey with a mixture of regret and resolution.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 22:34
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