(Movie Review) 'Streaming': thriller (almost) entirely carried by Kang Ha-neul

연합뉴스 / 2025-03-19 08:52:10

▲ A still from "Streaming" provided by Lotte Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming thriller "Streaming" relies heavily on Kang Ha-neul's performance, whose seamless transformation into a greedy and narcissistic streamer may make it worth a trip to the theater, though primarily for fans of the actor.

Director Cho Jang-ho has said he waited for years for the versatile actor to join the film, as Kang had been busy with other projects and his mandatory military service. The media screening of the film provided an understandable answer for anyone questioning Cho's decision to wait.

Kang's acting is the main driving force behind the appeal of the film, as the entire story unfolds in real time through livestreaming, making it feel like an actual live broadcast. This feeling is further emphasized by instant chats with viewers and mid-roll ads, common features on streaming platforms like YouTube.

▲ A still from Kang Ha-neul's upcoming thriller "Streaming" provided by Lotte Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)

The movie follows the story of Woo-sang, played by Kang, a self-absorbed streamer who claims to be a cold case expert. For him, gaining more subscribers and views is his top priority.

On the streaming platform where he operates his channel, the most popular streamer gets to keep all the advertising profits and does not have to pay fees. This leads to streamers flooding the platform with provocative, sometimes baseless, content, which reflects the darker side of streaming sites today.

When a female streamer, with whom Woo-sang co-hosts a clip about a serial killer case, suddenly disappears, he takes it upon himself to pursue the killer, livestreaming the entire process.

Through language and gestures that evoke a real-life streamer, along with smug facial expressions befitting the highest-earning creator, Kang convincingly embodies the pretentious Woo-sang, who stops at nothing to achieve fame and fortune.

The actor also effectively executes the transformation as his character gradually descends into madness while becoming entangled in the trap set by the serial killer.

▲ Actor Kang Ha-neul plays Woo-sang, a self-absorbed streamer who claims to be a cold case expert in the upcoming thriller "Streaming." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Despite the brilliant performance, the movie largely lacks originality in delivering its core theme, falling short of setting itself apart from other similar films. Its format -- heavily reliant on screenlife and long takes -- can feel confusing and distracting, while the thriller elements leading up to the revelation of the killer would have been more effective with tighter execution.

Some viewers might find it hard to connect with, let alone understand, the extreme narrative in the film, in which the main character prioritizes money and fame even over his own safety. But again, real-life events have often proven to be more dramatic and unbelievable than those depicted in movies.

"Streaming" is set for local release this Friday.