Korean crime/psychological thrillers are in a league of their own, and it’s proven time and again, be it through their handling of crucial themes, deft camera work, compelling narrative treatment, or the inspired performances of the involved cast. Director Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok’s latest release, Revelations, a movie that focuses on the psychological aspects involved in criminality, is no exception in that aspect. The movie, an adaptation of a webtoon of the same name created by the director duo, sheds light on the troubled psyche of the three leads and, while exploring their mental hindrances rooted in either past trauma, dysfunctional belief systems, or guilty consciences, highlights a similarity in the core.
Sung Min-chan Played by Ryu Jun-yeol
Korean actor/activist Ryu Jun-yeol is one of the most prominent, accomplished performers of the country, whose claim to fame was her role in the beloved, widely popular drama series Reply 1988. Since then, Ryu has made a name for himself with notable performances in movies like Socialphobia, Believer, Alienoid, Little Forest, A Taxi Driver, etc. As a renowned actor, Ryu Jun-yeol has used his stardom for a great cause by actively raising his voice for environmental preservation. In Revelations, Ryu’s portrayal of the troubled Pastor Sung Min-chan is exceptional in the way his nuanced performance captures the gradual psychological degradation of the character. Min-chan’s devout adherence to the ideals of his faith kept him on a moral path, and even under crisis in both the personal and professional spheres, he didn’t stray from righteousness. However, Min-chan’s moral compass was guided by the principles of his religion, not by humanity or inner goodwill. Which is why when he begins descending, there’s no going back for him. It can be argued that Min-chan was suffering from apophenia and pareidolia, that conjuring up non-existent divine images and patterns emboldened his misguided belief that he was doing the right thing after all.
However, it was his deep-seated guilt and recognition that he had betrayed his morals by covering up his crime that prompted him further to find a sense of validation by connecting non-existent dots. Given that Yang-rae was a convicted criminal with a harrowing history, Min-chan was all the more convinced that his cover-ups and murder attempts would not be frowned upon under the conventional set of ethics and morality. The pastor even went as far as to create the narrative of the victim, A-yeong’s death to justify his actions, to convince the world that Yang-rae deserved to be executed. Neglecting the plight of an unfortunate victim was the worst sin Min-chan had committed. Finally, as revealed in the final moments of the movie, there is a possibility that Min-chan recovers from his mental afflictions and acknowledges his crimes in the future, although without someone to share his burdens with, finding acceptance in his own self is going to be a difficult ordeal.
Yeong-hee Played by Shin Hyun-been
Korean actor Shin Hyun-been has gained recognition due to her performances in He’s On Duty, Warrior Baek Dong-soo, Confession, and Hospital Playlist, to name a few. In this movie, she portrayed the role of Detective Yeong-hee, a perceptive investigator who is tormented by her sense of guilt over her failure to save her sister, manifested in her mind in the form of the restless spirit of her late sister. Yeong-hee’s mental condition leaves her in a conflicted state when it comes to Yang-rae—despite knowing that as an investigator she shouldn’t let her personal prejudice cloud her judgment, she is unable to look beyond and consider Yang-rae even as a human being. For her, in a twisted similarity she shares with Min-chan, Yang-rae is a devil incarnate, who will prey on others if not stopped for good. However, Yeong-hee begins to somewhat sympathize with Yang-rae after his passing, as she learns about the true extent of inhumanity Yang-rae had to face during his childhood—the kind of which can completely break a person. There is still hope for Yeong-hee; rescuing A-yeong she has been able to absolve herself in her own eyes, and by emphasizing her mental well-being, she can get rid of the dark visions of her sister in the near future.
Yang-rae Played by Shin Min-jae
Korean actor Shin Min-jae has previously acted in Parasyte: The Grey and Night of the Undead, and his performance in Revelations, where he played convicted sex offender Yang-rae, is stellar to say the least. Yang-rae’s character is posited in the grey area where viewers simultaneously detest him for his actions and how he subjected his victims to the torments he was exposed to during childhood, and also sympathize with his situation—knowing the person is mentally unstable thanks to an extremely abusive upbringing.
Min-chan might not have killed Yang-rae in a direct sense, and it can also be argued, in the light of the criminal’s recent actions, how wrong Min-chan’s actions or Yeong-hee’s intention of killing him truly were. But the sanctity of the law gets maligned when it is dictated by a personal sense of justice. Yang-rae’s characterization constantly throws difficult questions regarding reformation, moral and ethical boundaries, empathy, and justice—which adds a level of complexity to Min-chan and Yeong-hee’s character arcs.
Miscellaneous Characters
Aside from the brilliant lead trio, the supporting cast of Revelations did a splendid job as well. Actor Kim Bo-min was good as Shin A-yeong, and Han Ji-hyun’s tragic portrayal of Lee Yeong-ju was impactful. Moon Joo-yeon’s performance as Min-chan’s wife, Lee Si-yeong, was decent, and Kim Do-young delivered a compelling performance as psychologist Dr. Lee Nak-seong.
