Oldboy (2013)

R18
2013
Trailer
Poster for Oldboy (2013)

Director Spike Lee's remake of Park Chan-wook's 2003 South Korean mystery-thriller, itself based on a Japanese manga. Josh Brolin, Elisabeth... More

Where to watch Oldboy (2013)

Oldboy (2013) is available to stream in New Zealand now... More on Google Play and Apple TV Store and Neon.

Oldboy (2013) | Ratings & Reviews

"Relentlessly gruesome, self-consciously shocking and pretty much pointless."

New York PostNew York Post

"It's shock for shock's sake. It doesn't track."

VultureVulture

"It's got no kick to it... Oldboy just lies there like old news that's not worth a second thought."

Rolling StoneRolling Stone

"A vivid yet academic remake, this Oldboy is shorter, leaner and lesser."

Time MagazineTime Magazine

"Hollywood's wildest cinematic freakout since Shutter Island is a remake of - and an improvement on - the Korean original from 2003."

The New YorkerThe New Yorker

"Passing (Oldboy) up would be the best revenge."

Wall Street JournalWall Street Journal

"A garish reproduction that never pretends to know who it's for."

Daily TelegraphDaily Telegraph

"The facsimile is pointless but dependable until Lee and his screenwriter add increasingly ludicrous embellishments."

The Irish TimesThe Irish Times

"Revenge, like octopus, is a dish best served cold, but Spike Lee's disappointingly straight remake is a lukewarm meal at best."

VarietyVariety

"To its credit, Spike Lee's remake isn't a slavish imitation. On the other hand, its grit is a grey substitute for the original's vision and verve."

Total FilmTotal Film

"Give credit to Lee for staying fresh, even if this feels like slumming."

Time OutTime Out

"If you have seen the earlier version, you can occupy yourself with point-by-point comparisons. If not, you may find yourself swerving between bafflement and mild astonishment."

The New York TimesThe New York Times

"Another pointless remake, and I couldn't swallow it."

The GuardianThe Guardian

"Joe walks out of his prison cell with a singular sense of focus; Lee's Oldboy never achieves anything like that kind of clarity."

The DissolveThe Dissolve

"Dark, violent thriller stands on its own despite its revered predecessor."

Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter

Oldboy (2013) | Details

Rating
R18,
Genre
Action, Drama, Thriller
Country of origin
USA