Movie Title: 소년들 (The Boys)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10)
Year: 2022
The Boys is more than just a crime drama. The movie is inspired by the real-life Samrye Nara Supermarket Trio Robbery Case that took place. It’s a powerful, emotional punch delivered straight to the heart by a cast that feels as real as the story they’re telling.
The film leads us back to 1999 in a small town, where a horrific robbery-murder at a local supermarket in the quiet town of Samnye shakes the community. The cops are in a rush to wrap things up, so they pin the blame on three local teens. These boys barely know what’s going on, got pushed into confessing and end up in jail.
The whole messy situation sets the emotional tone for the movie, making it clear right away that the real problem isn’t just the crime—it’s how the system totally let these kids down.
And right from the start, I felt the raw sting of injustice setting the film’s tone.
But what really drew me in was the arrival of Detective Hwang Jun-cheol, whose relentless pursuit of truth drives the story forward, even as it puts his career and reputation on the line. Sixteen years later, when the sole eyewitness returns, the story reignites, and I found myself glued to the screen, waiting for redemption.
The courtroom confession scene when the wrongfully accused boys finally get to shout “We are not murderers!” is a moment that stays with me. The journey from injustice to redemption really hits hard during this scene.
The casting stands out and really hits the mark. Sol Kyung-gu’s is brilliant as Detective Hwang. He brings a ton of depth and conviction to the role. Yoo Jun-sang, playing Choi Woo-sung, is spot-on as the self-serving cop, perfectly embodying a character you love to hate. The supporting cast, including Yeom Hye-ran as Hwang’s wife and Heo Sung-tae (yes, from “Squid Game”) as Hwang’s right-hand man, adds warmth and a bit of comic relief that helped balance the film’s heavier moments.
The story jumps between the past and present, which is a clever way to keep the suspense alive and gradually fill in the details. This structure works well most of the time, ramping up the tension as we piece together what really happened. The courtroom scenes, especially toward the end, are loaded with emotion and drama—sometimes a bit over-the-top, but it feels earned given the stakes. On the flip side, the constant time jumps can get a tad confusing, especially for viewers not used to non-linear storytelling.
The way the story leaps between timelines is a clever way to keep the suspense alive, building suspense and slowly unraveling layers of truth. While the structure can be confusing at times, it’s a risk that pays off by immersing me deeper into the characters’ struggle.
There are moments where the film’s pacing stutters, particularly in the middle, and some of the melodrama could have been toned down. Still, the narrative stays compelling and keeps you invested in the boys’ fight for justice.
Overall, “The Boys” is a hard-hitting social issue film that puts the spotlight on the voiceless, making you question the fairness of systems designed to protect us. The performances are stellar, especially by Sol Kyung-gu and the actors playing the wrongfully convicted boys. The film doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions about power, silence, and complicity.
If you’re a fan of dramas that tackle real-world issues and aren’t afraid to show the ugly side of justice, ‘The Boys’ is well worth your time. Just be prepared: it’s an emotional ride, and you’ll probably walk away thinking about it for days.