Watch 26 Years

26 Years is a South Korean political thriller directed by Geun-hyun Cho and released in 2012. Based on the popular webcomic of the same name by Kang Full, the movie depicts a group of individuals who come together to take revenge on the mastermind behind a gruesome massacre that took the lives of 26 people 26 years ago. The movie starts with an opening scene portraying a solemn remembrance ceremony at a public park where a list of the 26 victims of the Gwangju massacre of May 1980 is read aloud. Among the attendees is a mild-mannered dentist, Kang Jin-man (Jin Goo). The event stirs up suppressed emotions and triggers him to start a revolution to unveil the political corrupts who orchestrated and erased the actual truth of the incident.

With the passage of 26 years, the brutal incident yearns justice and the dentist gathers a small group of activists who were affected by the massacre to carry out a secret mission to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. The team includes Kyung-Ok (Hye-jin Han), a housewife and mother of two; Dong-ho (Soo-bin Bae), a vulnerable but passionate college student; and Gap-soo, who has been training his body and mind for years.

The group sets in motion an intricate and risky plan to get to the powerful figure behind the massacre, Cho Yang-kyu, before he becomes the next President of South Korea. Cho is a powerful man who still holds sway over the country's political and law enforcement systems. The team is determined to obtain justice for the victims of the massacre and to expose Cho's crimes to a nation, but at what cost?

The majority of the movie is tense, gripping and dark as it traces the actions of these individuals, their relationships with each other, and the challenges they face as they strive to get their revenge while staying under the radar. The movie engages viewers in their humorous and emotional camaraderie while highlighting the stakes of the characters involved.

Apart from the emotional drama, the movie also brings up the question of political accountability in South Korea. The massacre in Gwangju is often referred to as one of the most significant democratic uprisings in the country's history. In the past, most controversies and violations deemed to protect the nation's sovereignty have remained under wraps, with the government defusing these issues by paying reparations to the families of the victims of the event.

The cinematography of the movie cannot be overlooked as it is both fascinating and unforgettable. The numerous flashbacks to the days of the crisis highlight the bleak, terrifying dynamics at the heart of the massacre. The acting performances are nuanced and impactful, with the main cast capturing the characters' anxieties, fears, conviction, and determination at different times, making the movie's characters much better fleshed out.

The movie doesn't impart the impression of horror. Nonetheless, it's still quite possible to feel the emotions that weigh heavily on the survivors and their associates as they set up their elaborate plan. Hence, the 26-year-wait turns into a nail-biting and suspenseful story of revenge that promises to leave audiences enthralled.

Overall, 26 Years is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged thriller that showcases the power of the people to seek justice, no matter how long it takes. The movie highlights a significant event in Korean history in a clear and comprehensible way without losing focus on its story. The film is incredibly well-made and worth watching for anyone who loves movies that address political issues and societal concerns.