A Traveler's Needs

Play trailer

1:50

A Traveler's Needs

Released Nov 22, 2024

1h 30m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A comedy of improbable encounters and unlikely language lessons, A Traveler's Needs marks the third collaboration between Hong and Huppert (following 2012's In Another Country and 2017's Claire's Camera). This time Huppert plays Iris, a woman who finds herself adrift in Seoul and without any means to make ends meet, turns to teaching French via a très peculiar method. Through a series of encounters, as we grow to know more about Iris and her situation, the mysteries of her circumstances only deepen.

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

A Traveler’s Needs feels like an experiment whose results are more intriguing than worth publishing.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 7, 2025

Full Review

Annette LePique

Chicago Reader

As the film is so intensely aware of Huppert’s presence and the charisma she carries, there’s a magical weight to her blankness, her unexplained idiosyncrasies.

Dec 11, 2024

Full Review

Clint Worthington

RogerEbert.com

Its rhythms are patient, easing you into one subtly profound moment of everyday human connection after another.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 22, 2024

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

While the lives captured may appear random and superficial, Hong effects a poignant examination of values and behavior

Dec 24, 2024

Full Review

Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

Every film of Sang-soo’s is unique to some degree, and his latest has plenty of distinguishing features to keep it from being an entirely experimental exercise in nothingness.

Nov 27, 2024

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The comedy/drama A Traveler's Needs offers a unique slice-of-life story of an unorthodox French-language tutor in South Korea. It's best enjoyed by viewers who appreciate dialogue-driven movies in ordinary realistic settings. Everyone else will be bored.

Nov 25, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

Danielle H

Very quirky. A very small film, seeing for the offbeat humor and Huppert’s intriguing performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

Full Review

Moody C

Requires a bit of patience but it’s one of those subtle, talky films that if you pay attention, you’ll be rewarded. I actually prefer this over showy, over indulgent art films where you left wondering wat it was about because of all the exaggerated, embarrassing, face palming symbolism and metaphors.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/04/24

Full Review

Sujewa E

Minimalist comedy about a French woman in South Korea. Lots of awkward and funny moments. Filmed most likely on an old HD camcorder - not cinematic looking. But, should work for fans of early Jarmusch, Hal Hartley comedies. Deadpan, interesting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Hong Sang-soo

Director

Isabelle Huppert

Actor

Lee Hye-young

Actor

Kwon Hae-hyo

Actor

Ha Seung-guk

Actor

Jo Yunhui

Actor

A Traveler's Needs: Trailer 1

1:50

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A comedy of improbable encounters and unlikely language lessons, A Traveler's Needs marks the third collaboration between Hong and Huppert (following 2012's In Another Country and 2017's Claire's Camera). This time Huppert plays Iris, a woman who finds herself adrift in Seoul and without any means to make ends meet, turns to teaching French via a très peculiar method. Through a series of encounters, as we grow to know more about Iris and her situation, the mysteries of her circumstances only deepen.

Director: Hong Sang-soo
Producer: Kim Min-hee
Screenwriter: Hong Sang-soo
Distributor: The Cinema Guild
Production Co: Jeonwonsa Film
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 30m