Nocturnal (2025 film)
| Nocturnal | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Hangul | 브로큰 |
| Lit. | Broken |
| RR | Beurokeun |
| MR | Pŭrok'ŭn |
| Directed by | Kim Jin-hwang |
| Written by | Kim Jin-hwang |
| Produced by | Lee Min-woo Han Jae-deok |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Park Jung-hoon |
| Edited by | Kim Sang-bum |
| Music by | Hwang Sang-jun |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Barunson E&A |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | US$1.2 million[1] |
Nocturnal (Korean: 브로큰) is a 2025 South Korean neo-noir crime thriller film written and directed by Kim Jin-hwang, starring Ha Jung-woo, Kim Nam-gil, Yoo Da-in, and Jung Man-sik. It follows Min-tae's relentless pursuit of the truth after his brother's death, his sister-in-law's disappearance, and a bestselling novel that eerily predicted the crime. The film was released on January 22, 2025.[2]
Plot
Seok-tae, a drug addict and gangster, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. His brother Min-tae, who has distanced himself from the criminal world, begins searching for the perpetrator. Around the same time, Seok-tae’s wife, Cha Moon-young, and their child disappear. The police launch an investigation as tensions rise within the local underworld.
Prior to his death, Seok-tae had been involved in drug distribution connected to the son of a powerful CEO, who falls into a coma after consuming narcotics allegedly supplied by him. Chang-mo, Seok-tae’s boss and Min-tae’s former superior, warns Min-tae not to interfere, suggesting that influential figures are involved.
Suspicion gradually centers on Moon-young. It is revealed that she had endured years of domestic abuse at the hands of Seok-tae. Her connection to renowned novelist Kang Ho-ryeong further complicates the case. Kang’s novel Nocturnal depicts events strikingly similar to Seok-tae’s death and was written before the crime occurred. As investigators learn that the novel was inspired by Moon-young’s experiences, both the police and Min-tae grow convinced that she may have played a role in orchestrating the murder.
Determined to find her, Min-tae recruits Byung-gyu, one of Chang-mo’s subordinates, while Kang searches for Moon-young in an effort to protect her. After a series of confrontations, Moon-young secretly reveals her location to Kang. Min-tae follows him to a bus terminal, where Min-tae, Kang, Moon-young, and the police converge.
Before the truth can fully emerge, Byung-gyu suddenly kills Moon-young and flees. Enraged, Min-tae pursues him and discovers that the killing was ordered by Chang-mo. The revelation exposes Chang-mo as the true mastermind behind Seok-tae’s murder. On the night of the incident, both Seok-tae and the CEO’s son had consumed large quantities of drugs; when the CEO’s son fell into a coma, Chang-mo executed Seok-tae to appease the CEO.
It is also revealed that Moon-young had been a direct witness to Seok-tae’s murder and had long wished for his death after years of abuse. Chang-mo had spared her out of sympathy and on the condition that she disappear permanently. Following Seok-tae’s funeral, Min-tae confronts Chang-mo, kills his men, and forces a confession confirming his responsibility and the gang’s subservience to corporate influence. Min-tae ultimately kills Chang-mo and walks away.
Cast
- Ha Jung-woo as Bae Min-tae, a former renowned gangster.[3]
- Kim Nam-gil as Kang Ho-ryeong, a famous novelist and author of Nocturnal.[3]
- Yoo Da-in as Cha Moon-young, Seok-tae's wife.
- Jung Man-sik as Seok Chang-mo, a local gang boss.
- Lim Seong-jae as Byung-gyu, a low-ranking gangster who works for Chang-mo.
- Heo Sung-tae as Team Leader Park.
- Lee Seol as Detective Min.
- Kim Chan-hyung as Jae-man, a lieutenant to Chang-mo.
- Jang Nam-bu as Kang-ho,a local gang boss.
- Park Jong-hwan as Bae Seok-tae,a gangster works for Chang-mo.
- Cha Rae-hyung as Yeong-seop.
- Seo Hyun-woo as Detective Son.
- Jung Jae-kwang as Cha Myung-woo.
- Seo Hye-rin as the teahouse owner.
- Cha Mi-kyung as the landlady.
Production
Principal photography began on January 2021 and filming ended on April of the same year.[4]
The film marks the second time Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil have appeared together in a work following The Closet.[5]
Release
Nocturnal premiered in South Korean theaters on January 22, 2025 released by Barunson E&A.[6]
Reception
The film was released on February 5, 2025 on 805 screens.[7] It opened at first place at the South Korean box office with 42,562 running audiences.
As of February 9, 2025, the film has grossed US$814,912 from 128,926 admissions.[7][1]
References
- ^ a b "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2025". KOFIC. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ Kim Na-ra (December 20, 2024). 하정우, '열혈사제' 김남길 손 또 잡았다..분노의 추적 '브로큰', 내년 2월 개봉 [공식] [Ha Jung-woo, 'The Fiery Priest' Kim Nam-gil joins hands again.. Angry pursuit 'Broken', opening in February next year [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Ryu, Ji-yoon (January 15, 2025). '브로큰' 하정우·김남길, 서로 다른 목적을 위한 추적…"물과 기름 같은 존재" ['Broken' Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil, pursuit for different purposes... "Like water and oil"] (in Korean). Dailian. Retrieved February 8, 2025 – via Naver.
- ^ 창고영화 '야행'이 '브로큰'으로…'소방관' 뒤이어 대박날까 [Warehouse movie 'Night Journey' becomes 'Broken'… Will it become a big hit following 'Firefighter'?]. The Korea Herald (in Korean). January 5, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ Jo, Myeong-Hyeon (January 23, 2025). 하정우X김남길, '클로젯' 이어 '브로큰' "만날 때마다 반가웠다" [Ha Jung-woo X Kim Nam-gil, 'Closet' and 'Broken' "It was nice to meet you every time"] (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ Jang Ju-yeon (December 26, 2024). 하정우 분노의 추적 시작됐다…'브로큰' 티저 포스터·예고편 공개 [Ha Jung-woo's rage pursuit begins... 'Broken' teaser poster and trailer released]. IsPlus (in Korean). Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "Daily Box Office". KOBIS (in Korean). Retrieved January 27, 2025.