In his interview, director and writer Cho mentioned that he once noticed a child staring at a tiger through a zoo fence. He later wondered what might happen if the barrier disappeared and the two were left together in the same enclosure. This idea ultimately became the inspiration for “Murder Report,” a psychological thriller about a serial killer set entirely in a hotel room.
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One day, journalist Baek Sun-ju receives a call from Lee Young-hun, a mysterious man who claims to be a serial killer with eleven victims. He asks her for an unusual interview and threatens to kill someone again that very night if she refuses. Hoping for an exclusive story while also trying to save a life, Baek agrees to meet him in a hotel room and asks her detective boyfriend to come as backup.
With only two main leads confined to a single location and a runtime approaching two hours, Cho’s ambitious, tightly plotted, and well-paced work proves effective. The tastefully furnished hotel suite, decorated with large electronic wall panels, essentially functions as a living entity that interacts with the characters. Moreover, every time the panels display a different pattern or color, the atmosphere of the room shifts accordingly, at times becoming imposing and suffocating, particularly for Baek.
At the same time, the setting avoids monotony through interspersed scenes depicting the detective in the room below listening in. These interruptions enhance the tension while also enriching the narrative through expressions and dialogue. The use of overhead shots further reveals the decorative layout of the rooms, while the eye pattern on the table in the interview space subtly reinforces a sense of psychological unease.
The color palette and the creative use of lighting also play a significant role as the story unfolds. When Baek and Lee first meet, the tone is calm and dominated by shades of grey, reflecting the initial restraint as both conceal their true intentions. Gradually, however, more is revealed about their identities. According to Lee, a psychiatrist turned killer, he targets only “bad” people who have wronged his patients. As the narrative progresses, the lighting shifts in tandem with the twists, culminating in a blood-red hue that saturates the room and heightens the intensity of the climax.
Although not a big-budget production, the work excels through its compelling narrative progression and the performances of its leads. With a background in theatre, Jung Sung-il delivers a standout performance as Lee Young-hun, portraying a complex character shaped by trauma. Despite this being his first leading role in a feature, he handles the demands of the part with confidence and nuance.
Similarly, Cho Yeo-jeong, known for her role in “Parasite,” impressively embodies Baek Sun-ju, a journalist desperate for a breakthrough. The convincing performances of both actors, along with their strong interplay, significantly enhance the overall experience. Kim Tae-han is solid as Detective Han, Baek’s boyfriend, who harbors a secret of his own. Credit is also due to director Cho, who successfully transforms the interview room into a third central presence, a sinister space that gradually overwhelms its occupants.
That said, the narrative could have been more gripping with a more original script. The central interview recalls the prison encounter in “The Silence of the Lambs” between Hannibal Lecter and the FBI trainee. Additionally, Lee Young-hun’s composed demeanor and elegant appearance make him less overtly menacing, while the imagery of victims wrapped in plastic inevitably brings to mind the vigilante serial killer series “Dexter.”
Despite these shortcomings, “Murder Report” remains an accomplished slow-burning psychological thriller. The strong performances, striking atmosphere, and layered twists ultimately combine to create an engaging viewing experience.
