Circle of Atonement (2023) Movie Review and Free Download

Circle of Atonement is a South Korean mystery drama film directed by Lee Dong-ha. The film revolves around the intertwined lives of a high school teacher, a police detective, and his teenage daughter, who are all connected by a tragic murder case that happened 10 years ago.

The film explores the themes of grief, guilt, revenge, and forgiveness, as the characters struggle to cope with their past and present. The film also reveals the secrets and lies that were hidden behind the murder, and how they affect the relationships between the characters.

The film has a nonlinear narrative structure, which switches between different time periods and perspectives. The film uses flashbacks and clues to gradually reveal the truth behind the murder, and how it changed the lives of the characters. The film also has a twist ending that challenges the viewers’ expectations and assumptions.

The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some praised the film for its acting, suspense, and emotional impact, while others criticized the film for its confusing plot, slow pace, and clichéd tropes. The film has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 on IMDb¹, based on 299 user ratings.

My personal opinion is that the film is a decent mystery drama that has some good moments, but also some flaws. I liked the performances of the main actors, especially Sung Dong-il as the detective and Kim Yoo-jung as his daughter. They portrayed their characters with depth and realism, and made me care about their fate. I also liked the cinematography and music of the film, which created a dark and tense atmosphere.

However, I did not like the plot of the film, which I found to be confusing and illogical. The film tried to be too clever with its twists and turns, but ended up being inconsistent and unconvincing. The film also had some clichéd elements, such as the student-teacher romance, the revenge motive, and the coincidences that linked the characters. The film also had a slow pace, which made it boring at times.

Overall, I think Circle of Atonement is a film that has some potential, but fails to deliver on its promise. It is not a bad film, but it is not a great one either. It is a film that might appeal to some viewers who enjoy mystery dramas, but it might disappoint others who expect more from it.