Watch Desert of No Return

As a frontier town steadily declines into a desert of abject ruin, none seem to be left to care, except for a lonesome waitress named Hae Jun (played by Ha Yoon-kyung). The difficulty of eking out a living in such an inhospitable setting weighs heavily on her, as she yearns for the day when she is able to leave the town behind and escape to a better life. However, the next morning provides a surprise, as a mysterious package arrives with a note from someone claiming to be her long-departed mother. The message leads Hae Jun to a hidden room behind a brick wall, where she finds several strange objects, including a diary containing stories of her mother's younger years. The diary speaks of a desert that is strange and magical, the Desert of No Return. Determined to find the town's rich and thrilling secrets, Hae Jun sets out on a journey to find the desert.

As she crosses the dry, parched terrain alone, Hae Jun meets all sorts of inviting and dangerous characters, each of whom has a tale to tell about the fabled desert. In particular, she grows close to a gruff but kindhearted coachman named Bong-Gil (played by Jo Sung-ha), who agrees to help her navigate the route. They are joined along the way by a young woman named Hyein (played by Song Eun-ji), who is eager to escape a planned marriage and makes a fateful decision to run away with Bong-Gil.

The journey to the Desert of No Return is fraught with danger, and the trip begins to wear heavily on the trio, especially given the intense sandstorms and the rise in bandit activity. Along the way, they encounter a group of bandits who are intent on obstructing their path, and a vicious battle ensues. Yet, as they venture deeper into the desert, Hae Jun is increasingly drawn to the ancient magic that she senses lurking in the air. The farther they penetrate into the the Desert of No Return, the more enchanted she becomes, and the more certain she is that she has uncovered something very special about herself and her own family history. Eventually, they reach their destination and find that there is more to the desert than they ever could have imagined.

Desert of No Return was directed by Rhee Seung-won, and premiered in 2017. The film was praised for its mesmerizing visuals that captured the otherworldly enchantment and foreboding of the desert. Particularly striking are the stunning sandstorms that swallow up the travelers from time to time along their voyage. In addition, the acting of the three leads was highly regarded, with Ha Yoon-kyung's mesmerizing portrayal of Hae Jun being especially impactful. Her performance conveyed a sense of deep longing and aching sadness, which was balanced by Sung-ha's earthy and humorous Bong-Gil.

Desert of No Return is not just a gripping adventure story, but a deeply felt evocation of the human heart and how it attempts to navigate the inhospitable landscapes that life puts in its path. It is a tale of resilience and hope for a better future, and the unspoken love that connects people in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The film's haunting message is that even when we feel like we are alone in an endless and arid desert, we are still filled with the precious potential for growth and renewal.

Desert of No Return is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.