A man relentlessly pursues anyone he suspects of being involved in his younger brother's sudden death. At first glance, the simple premise evokes sympathy for a man grappling with the tragic loss. His extreme methods and unrestrained violence, however, quickly erode any initial empathy.
Adding complexity to the narrative, the brother is revealed to be a serious drug addict and domestic abuser, creating a nightmarish environment for his family. His violent behavior escalates to the point where his young daughter is removed from home for her safety.
"Nocturnal" is a gritty crime noir drenched in blood and violence, but ultimately offers little justification for its excesses.
Directed and written by Kim Jin-hwang, known for the 2015 critically acclaimed crime thriller "The Boys Who Cried Wolf," the movie follows Min-tae, portrayed by Ha Jung-woo, as he sets on a perilous mission to uncover the truth behind his brother's mysterious death and track down the killer.
During his relentless quest, Min-tae discovers that his brother's wife, Moon-young (Yoo Da-in), who works at a singing bar, vanishes on the day of the murder and that his brother's death is eerily detailed in a novel titled "Nocturnal" and authored by Ho-ryeong (Kim Nam-gil).
The mysterious circumstances surrounding Seok-tae's death create a tense atmosphere in the film's early stages, drawing viewers into the intrigue of what happened to him and the possible involvement of his missing wife.
Adding to the enigma is the ambiguous relationship between Moon-young and Ho-ryeong, which remains undefined until the film's conclusion, leaving room for audience interpretation.
As the movie progresses, it seems to prioritize genre mechanics over narrative depth, lacking the storyline needed for the audience to fully understand the protagonist's relentless pursuit and connect with this mindset.
Midway through, the film descends into a gratuitous display of Min-tae's savage violence -- ruthless steel rod attacks and blood-drenched scenes that would only appeal to hardcore violence enthusiasts.
The scene where Min-tae finally confronts Seok-tae's killer, which should serve as the film's climax, fails to reveal any deeper layers of the core narrative and concludes in a disappointingly underwhelming manner.
In the end, fans of Ha's intense performance as a serial killer in the 2009 thriller "The Chaser" may appreciate the similar raw energy he successfully brings to this new noir drama, which marks the actor's return to the hard-boiled genre that helped cement his reputation.
Among the cast, actor Jung Man-sik delivers a masterful portrayal of the enigmatic ringleader of the gang to which the two brothers belonged, hinting at hidden secrets beneath his composed exterior. Aside from him, the supporting characters largely remain peripheral to Min-tae's narrative.
"Nocturnal" is set for release on Feb. 5.
