Most critics respond strongly to Oldboy’s violent revenge story, with praise clustering around its restless imagery, immersive action and capacity to make brutality uncomfortable rather than merely exciting. The reviews repeatedly find more than technical skill in its setpieces: they see a troubling examination of hatred, responsibility and the value of vengeance. Its grotesque imagery and intricate mystery are central to that appeal, while Empire singles out the one-take corridor fight as a particular achievement.
The divide concerns how much substance sits beneath that visual confidence. Empire acknowledges implausibility but finds enough verve to recommend it to those with strong stomachs. The New York Times is the lone negative voice, enjoying the style while judging the mayhem largely empty and the narrative’s provocations juvenile. That leaves a wide spread of opinion, though six of the seven reviews favour the film: most find its violence purposeful; the dissent finds virtuosity insufficient.