Synopsis
#Alive is a 2020 South Korean zombie thriller film by Cho Il-hyung. It was co-written by Cho Il-hyung and Matt Naylor. Based on his own script for the 2019 American short film Alone, the film offers a contemporary interpretation of the zombie genre. Its Korean version was especially poignant because it tackled issues of loneliness and the struggle to keep going during the COVID-19 pandemic, precisely when the film debuted.
The narrative centers on Oh Joon-woo, a gamer and a son of a family residing in a high-end apartment complex in Seoul. One fateful day, Joon-woo is jolted awake by the sound of a news broadcast in progress. It is screaming about a new virus that is spreading across the country and transforming people into zombies. They also try to bite or eat whatever they get their hands on. A few hours later, the outbreak gets out of control, and Joon-woo is a spectator to the maddening crisis unfolding outside his window and throughout the city. His apartment is now a fortress — one that he has to defend completely by himself.
As the Infected overrun the streets and take over adjacent units, Joon-woo locks himself inside. While he has no way of reaching his family, his food supply is limited, and phone and internet connections are non-functional, he is utterly isolated. He has started making frantic cries for help and is tagging them with ‘#IAmAlive’ on various social media platforms, wishing to get any form of acknowledgement.
Weeks pass, turning into days, and Joon-woo succumbs to despair, plagued by the terrible sounds blaring outside his house and the gnawing loneliness he feels. Just as he feels he has lost all hope, the reality of the situation dawns on him- he is not alone. Living across the courtyard, in the next apartment is equipped with Kim Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), a fiercely independent woman who was also able to evade the infected. They start communicating over the walkie talkies and other contraptions they build, creating a precious hope in a hopeless reality.
Practical and disciplined, as opposed to Joon-woo’s emotions and impulse driven behavior, Yoo-bin helps formulate a grounded plan for both of them. They clash, but those differences also bring balance, enabling the duo to develop their collective escapade strategy. They face constant threat, but manage to sharing food, collaborating ideas, and finally managing the strength to confront the zombies together.
The intense and fast-paced climax occurs as the duo makes their last attempt to escape through the rooftop, where they hope to be picked up by the military. While the building is still undergoing violent structural changes, a military helicopter swoops in at the perfect moment and saves the duo right before they are engulfed.
A highlight of the film is the heartening feeling of hope, social media, and the sense of togetherness, which was illustrated when Joon-woo’s post helped the aid pick out the survivors. It showcased how sometimes in the worst possible scenarios, reaching out can lead to an unfathomable amount of help.
Soo Ah-in as Oh Joon-woo
As the main protagonist, Yoo Ah-in showcased extraordinary levels of mastery and intricacy as each of the layers unfolded. From showing detachment and eerie shock to despair and hope, Joon-woo’s character underwent a huge range of emotions. His filled and demanding actions enabled him to emote in ways that needed astounding exhaustion.
Shin Park-Hye as Kim Yoo-bin
Park Hye’s character molded an equilibrium and balance into the dynamic structure of the film. With a rational approach to everything, her methods make her an effective advocate to Joon-woo. Yoo-bin is an emotionless resolute character buffed with the superb ability to portray strength that Park plays adeptly without a hint of melodrama.
Director: Cho Il-hyung
Cho Il-hyung directs #Alive with keen pacing and visual details, his first feature film. His moments of high tension showcasing deep emotional reflection and his use of small spaces adds an almost suffocating level of strain that matches the toll isolation takes mentally.
Writers: Cho Il-hyung and Matt Naylor
The writers skillfully blend horror, drama, and social critique alongside reality in an impactful manner. It is apparent the script transforms the concept of the original short film into a full-length feature.
Cinematography: Lee Jae-hyuk
Cinematography captures the commotion outside and the internal stillness of dread encapsulating the characters. Thoughtful dialogue framing enhances the sense of isolation, and conveys the characters’ emotional transformations using little to no words.
Music: Hwang Sang-jun
The dominance of emotion and tension in the score flows effortlessly in synchrony without overshadowing particular scenes. His touch fits the disquieting tone of the film, and diminishes, allowing the visuals to tell the story.
Themes and Analysis
#Alive’s main genre is a survival thriller. Nonetheless, it delves deeper than mere bloodshed and high-octane activities; it explores the psychological and emotional effects of solitude, which makes it unique. When the film premiered, the world was in the midst of a pandemic which in turn heightened the relevance of the film, especially in relation to lockdowns and the psychological impact of separation from friends and family.
One of the dominant themes of the film is social media as a means to connect to others while being confined physically. Joon-woo’s hashtag social media post turned out to be a symbol of utter hopelessness and optimism at the same time. That is because his message claimed that he was alive and his attempt to reach out to the world beyond his confinement meant that he was indeed fighting to be rescued. In this sense, #Alive examines how technology, which is often acknowledged as harmful in bringing people together, can in fact be a rescue tool in times of need.
The other theme is the ability to adapt and the level of resilience. Yoo-bin, one of the core characters, displays this more than anyone else. Different ways of adapting to extreme situations are captured with the assistance of their different personalities. Joon-woo personifies emotional vulnerability and impulsive risk while Yoo-bin personifies calculated discipline and emotional grit. The two put together show how one needs to care emotionally, but also in a practical manner to survive.
The movie also critiques, albeit subtly, convenience and the over-dependence modern society has with technology. Joon-woo is momentarily paralyzed and defrosted when the internet goes out, and there is minimal food available. These snippets illustrate how the modern man might be completely devoid of preparation in case a real crisis does arise. However, the character’s development represents the return to rediscovered instinct, imagination, and human solidarity.
Reception
#Alive did receive positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Its pacing alongside the emotionally piquant depth, paneled by development of characters in the plot was integral. Although the movie does not reinvent modern approaches to zombies, it may have received praise for its interpretation of solitude and survival in the digital age instead of apocalyptic avalanches.
The performances of Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye were consistently lauded, with special mention to the pair for not only their credibility but also chemistry while depicting gentle strength. Moreover, critics appreciated the film for maximizing the single-shift setting by heightening the tension in the apartment and neighboring buildings.
The film achieved notable success internationally on several streaming services such as Netflix, managing to rank in the top 10 most-watched films in various countries upon release. Its global popularity proved that audiences were hungry for stories that resonated with their real-world feelings of confinement and anxiety.
Recap
Rather than solely focusing on the concepts of horror… #Alive (2020) delves deeper into the psychological ramifications of seclusion, the need for social contact, and the strength of humans during a crisis. The movie certainly does not reinvigorate the genre of horror, but rather incorporates sentimental emotion alongside powerful performances, thoughtful direction, and timely themes to resuscitate the zombie genre.
By rooting the horror elements in stark truths of life, such as yearning for company, being alone, and fighting for survival (everything we have come to know the world as), #Alive engages the viewer on a deeper level, making them both a witness and participant in the film. The film comes at a time where the entire globe is suffering from a sort of global lockdown and hence brings in the message that no matter how horrifying or isolating the world may become, there exists hope and bonds of companionship waiting to be forged.
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