Watch The Accidental Detective

The Accidental Detective is a South Korean crime-comedy film released in 2015. Directed by Kim Joung-Hoon, the movie stars Kwon Sang-woo as Dae-man, a hapless but lovable bookstore owner who always dreams of being a detective. Alongside him is his best friend, Jaesik (played by Dong-il Sung), a loquacious and not-so-smart detective in the local police department. Yeong-hie Seo plays Young-Hee, a former police profiler, who helps the duo in their investigations.

The movie opens with Dae-man and Jaesik trying to solve a case where a thief has made off with a valuable Buddha statue. As their investigation progresses, they discover a connection with another case where a woman has been murdered. In the meantime, Young-Hee contacts Dae-man as she enlists his help in solving a cold case she has been investigating for a long time. Initially reluctant, Dae-man is finally convinced to help and uses his knowledge of crime novels and movies to assist in the investigation.

As the three of them delve deeper into the case, they come across several suspects with murky pasts and hidden agendas. The suspects themselves are an eclectic bunch of characters, including a reclusive millionaire, a shady pastor, and a burly ex-convict. Their investigations lead them to various locations and reveal a complicated web of deceit and betrayal.

Throughout the film, the comedic elements are as prominent as the thriller aspects. Dae-man and Jaesik's accidental blunders and humorous banter often provide a light-hearted break from the tension. Their quirky tech gadgets, including a spy camera disguised as a pen, add to the overall humor. However, the film does not entirely rely on its comedic aspect as there are some serious moments in the film, such as when Dae-man and Young-Hee visit the victim's mother to offer their condolences.

The film also explores themes such as friendship, perseverance, and redemption. Dae-man's obsession with detective work and Jaesik's willingness to follow him despite their differences shows the strength of their bond. Young-Hee's stoicism and determination to solve the case also highlight her sense of justice and her inner turmoil being a former police officer.

The Accidental Detective's pacing is relatively steady, with several twists and turns keeping the audience engaged. The cinematography is impressive, with beautiful shots of Seoul and the countryside. The soundtrack is fitting for the film's tone, and the action scenes are well-choreographed.

Overall, The Accidental Detective is an enjoyable, solid thriller-comedy movie with a well-crafted storyline, humor, and enjoyable characters. The film's sequels further explore this charming trio's adventures, making this movie the first of a trilogy. For those who appreciate lighthearted, genre-bending detective movies, The Accidental Detective is certainly an entertaining watch.

The Accidental Detective is a 2017 art house & international movie with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.