Thirst

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Thirst

R

2009

2h 13m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

119 Reviews

74%

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10,000+ Ratings

Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a respected priest, volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and dies, but a blood transfusion of unknown origin brings him back to life as a vampire. Now, Sang-hyun is torn between faith and bloodlust, and has a newfound desire for Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin), the wife of his childhood friend.

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Critics Consensus

The stylish Thirst packs plenty of bloody thrills to satisfy fans of both vampire films and director Chan Wook Park.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Park is clearly an exceptional director capable of being weirdly funny, quirkily fantastical, brutal and sexy, sometimes at one and the same time. There's no one quite like him.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 20, 2009

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

With its rapacious appetites and forceful directing style, is definitely a vampire film for grown-ups.

Oct 16, 2009

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Not one of Park's best films, but it has bite.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 16, 2009

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

In Park’s hands, the vampire’s sensuous power is immediately an ironic torment.

Aug 28, 2025

Full Review

Alisha Mughal

The Asian Cut

In turn beautiful and repugnant, saintly and devilish, Thirst is a feast, a ball, an extravaganza of bodies, blood, and life; but it takes its time in getting to it, in the way that we take our time in getting sick.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 8, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

He just wants to save people but he emerges as a bloodsucker... a man torn between morality and instinct, faith and desires of the flesh (and blood).

Oct 27, 2023

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Christian K

Off the rails crazy. With enough bloody and sexual imagery to more than support its runtime. This was awesome.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

Full Review

Emilliano Jr S

Overlong for a vampire romance movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

Full Review

Hargie M

One aspect of "Thirst" that I particularly appreciated was its blend of genres. It’s not just a horror film; it’s also darkly humorous and tragically romantic. This mix keeps the story engaging and unpredictable. The film’s use of religious symbolism and ethical dilemmas adds layers to the narrative, making me reflect on themes of sin, redemption, and the complexities of human desire.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

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Prabudhjeet A

It's Park Chan Wook. Even when he's not at his best, he's at better. Just watch and have your view on this just like how Park Chan Wook showed his vision of the timeless urban legend

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

Full Review

Alec B

Great elements are here (i.e. having the vampire be a Priest, the ways control and desire are intertwined) but I think that ultimately Chan Wook Park couldn't find a compelling way to connect these ideas.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/24

Full Review

Jerod S

South Korean film where a priest is turned into a vampire. It's interesting to see how the culture juxtaposes being devout with being erotic and bloodthirsty.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/09/23

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a respected priest, volunteers for an experimental procedure that may lead to a cure for a deadly virus. He gets infected and dies, but a blood transfusion of unknown origin brings him back to life as a vampire. Now, Sang-hyun is torn between faith and bloodlust, and has a newfound desire for Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin), the wife of his childhood friend.

Director: Park Chan-wook
Producer: Park Chan-wook, Ahn Suhyeon
Screenwriter: Park Chan-wook, Jeong Seo-kyeong
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Moho Film
Rating: R (Graphic Bloody Violence|Disturbing Images|Language|Nudity|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $296.4K
Runtime: 2h 13m

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