Watch Vegetarian

Vegetarian is a South Korean psychological drama movie from 2009 that tells the story of a woman's transformation after deciding to become a vegetarian. The movie was directed by Lim Woo-seong and stars Min-seo Chae, Hyun-sung Kim, and Kim Yeo-jin in principal roles. The movie follows Yeong-hye, a seemingly ordinary woman who decides to quit eating meat for personal reasons. While this might seem like a harmless decision at first, it's not long before Yeong-hye's newfound lifestyle becomes a point of contention for those around her. Her abrupt shift in diet and behavior prompts her husband, friends, and family to question her mental stability.

The story is told in three parts, each focusing on a different perspective. In the first section, we see the events through Yeong-hye's husband's eyes, who grows increasingly frustrated as her new diet hinders their sex life and disrupts their relationship. In the second part, Yeong-hye's brother-in-law becomes infatuated with her and asks her to participate in an art project. In the final section, we see the final stage of Yeong-hye's transformation and how her choices affect her sister.

The transition in Yeong-hye's lifestyle, while seemingly simple, has far-reaching consequences for everyone around her. Her loss of appetite and desire for meat leads to an internal shift in her emotions, and she begins having intense and vivid nightmares that she cannot shake off. Her mental state becomes increasingly fragile, and she turns to extreme measures to maintain her vegetarianism, which only pushes those closest to her further away.

Despite the film's central plot being Yeong-hye's transformation into a vegetarian, the director handles the subject matter with intelligence, exploring themes such as family dynamics, patriarchal culture, and mental illness. The visually striking imagery and poignant narrative are complemented by a mesmerizing score, creating a nearly hypnotic experience for the audience.

Min-seo Chae, who plays Yeong-hye, delivers a powerful performance that breathes life into the character's internal struggles. Her portrayal of Yeong-hye's animalistic dreams, where she envisions herself as a tree, is both eerie and beautiful. Hyun-sung Kim, as Yeong-hye's husband, is convincing in his role portraying a man struggling to hold onto control, and Kim Yeo-jin delivers a stunning portrayal of a woman's desperation to understand her sibling's torment.

Vegetarian, although not for everyone, is a unique and compelling film that explores themes that many, even today, find hard to grapple with. The plot is not a simple vegetarian story, but rather, it's a story of a woman's journey to find herself and confront her inner demons, in the form of her nightmares. The film's strength lies in its willingness to push the boundaries, leave unspoken questions unanswered and leave the viewer in space to reflect, question and interpret for themselves.

In conclusion, Vegetarian is a cinematic masterpiece that explores themes such as mental illness, societal expectations, and the nature of personal choices. It's a movie that demands your attention and rewards it with a thought-provoking narrative, visually stunning imagery, and memorable performances. The film's unique approach is a testament to the director's vision and inventiveness, and the end result is a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Vegetarian is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.