Watch The Piper

The Piper is a South Korean thriller film directed by Kim Gwang-tae and released in 2015. The movie tells the story of a young man called Woo-ryong (played by Ryu Seung-ryong) who, together with his young son, moves to a small village after the Korean War in hopes of making a living as a piper. The villagers slowly find themselves under his spell due to his music, but the spell quickly turns into a curse as things begin to go sour.

The movie begins with the story of Woo-ryong, his wife, and their young son. After the Korean war, they move from Seoul to a small village in the countryside, where Woo-ryong is convinced that his musical talent can help him make a living. He goes from town to town, playing his pipes and trying to earn money, but with little luck. However, one day he discovers a village that is plagued by rats, and he sees it as an opportunity to make some cash.

The village is rugged and poor, with uncivilized villagers living in rough and rustic homes. They are despised by the neighboring towns, and the ruler of the village, Joon (played by Lee Sung-min), is a cruel and unscrupulous man. The village is also home to a young girl, Young-nam (played by Lee Joon), who makes a living by hunting rats with her dog. Woo-ryong sees her and her dog as good helpers for his rat-catching job.

Woo-ryong agrees to rid the village of the rat problem, but only if the villagers pay him a significant sum of money. They agree, and Woo-ryong sets to work. He plays his beautiful music, which lures the rats out of their hiding places, and into the river where they drown. However, after a couple of nights, the village's children start disappearing one after another, and this turns the villagers against Woo-ryong. They blame him for the missing children and attack him, putting him and his son in grave danger.

The movie is terrifying and captivating from the first moments. The cinematography is beautiful, with sweeping vistas of the Korean countryside and detailed shots of the dilapidated village. The music is haunting and is used to great effect throughout the film to create an eerie atmosphere. The story is engaging, with unexpected twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed, making it easy for viewers to become emotionally invested in them.

One of the standout performances in the movie is Ryu Seung-ryong's portrayal of Woo-ryong. He is an enigmatic character, with a deep sadness and a fierce devotion to his son. Woo-ryong's love for music is palpable, and his fearlessness in the face of danger is impressive. Chun Woo-hee's performance as the young girl, Young-nam, is also noteworthy. She is harsh, unyielding, and fiercely loyal to the people she cares about.

The movie touches on many themes, including the power of music, greed, vengeance, and the consequences of one's actions. It shows the atrocities people are willing to commit to protect their interests and the lengths to which they will go to cover up their mistakes. The Piper is a subtle commentary on the human condition and what happens when people are pushed too far.

In conclusion, The Piper is an excellent movie that is well worth watching. It is a must-see for fans of thrillers, horror films, and period dramas. Although the movie is not particularly gory or violent, it is still quite dark and suspenseful, making it unsuitable for younger viewers. Ryu Seung-ryong, Woo-hee Chun, and Rebecca Davis all give stellar performances, and the story is powerful and haunting. If you are looking for a thought-provoking and chilling movie, then The Piper is an excellent choice.

The Piper is a 2015 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.