Written by Kim Da-min and directed by Lee Chang-hee

A Morality Thriller of Dark Humor and Intrigue

Darkly humorous, violent, and consistently riveting, “A Killer Paradox” is a morality thriller that has taken me by storm. What begins as a comedic rollercoaster of errors seamlessly evolves into a profound detective thriller, positioning itself as one of the most compelling shows on Netflix at the moment, at least in my humble opinion. At its core, the brilliance of the show lies in its cinematography, showcasing visually stunning hallucinatory dream sequences where the haunting consequences of actions become an integral part of the protagonist’s psyche. In addition we have some remarkable slow-motion action sequences bathed in bloody red and green lights. The show adeptly communicates the shifting dynamics between heroes and villains, delving into the complexities of discerning between good and bad, and blurring the lines between justice and murder. This theme extends to numerous characters in the narrative.

The show goes beyond mere visual appeal, exploring the consequences of choices and the internal moral conflicts of its main characters, portrayed by Choi Woo-shik and Son Suk-ku. It’s truly delightful to witness their performances, as I’ve always believed that the most rewarding aspect of dramaturgy lies in following actors’ growth, and these two are a true testament to this. Since “Parasite,” I haven’t missed anything from Choi. On the other hand, Son always steals the show. I’ve admired his work since “My Liberation Notes,” and like wine, he only gets better! Tang’s (Choi’s character) initially lackluster and loser dynamic becomes a source of laughter, particularly in the early episodes. I must admit, I loved it until perhaps the middle of the series, but at a certain point, I felt an odd shift—I’m still not sure what it was. Nevertheless, this observation doesn’t underrate the show at all; it’s simply a personal noting.

Image courtesy of Netflix