Oldboy

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Oldboy

R

Released Nov 27, 2013

1h 43m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

39%

Tomatometer

150 Reviews

37%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Although his life is already in a downward spiral, things get much worse for advertising executive Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) ; while drunk one night, Joe is kidnapped and thrown into solitary confinement in a bizarre, hotellike room. For the next 20 years, Joe suffers unimaginable torment, but the motive and identity of his captor remain unknown. When he is inexplicably set free, Joe emerges with one goal: to find the person who stole two decades of his life.

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Critics Consensus

Suitably grim and bloody yet disappointingly safe and shallow, Spike Lee's Oldboy remake neither surpasses the original nor adds anything new to its impressive legacy.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

The first hour or so of Lee's 'Oldboy' is so gripping that it's dispiriting to watch the wheels fall off the wagon so spectacularly in the third act.

Jun 18, 2016

Full Review

Wesley Morris

Grantland

Everything is wrong with [Spike] Lee's version of Park Chan-wook's notorious, super-violent super-action-thriller. For one thing, it's far from super. Not the quality, per se (although, for Lee, that's off, too), but the energy.

Dec 10, 2013

Full Review

Jonathan Robbins

Film Comment Magazine

Viewers new to Oldboy will appreciate Lee's affecting and entertaining tale of a man unjustly imprisoned. Fans of Park's film-and there are many wildly loyal ones-will likely be far less impressed.

Dec 9, 2013

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

Oldboy is rushed, undeveloped and if you haven’t seen the original, you’ll feel lost. The story is not explained well and is a huge disservice to the twist that is supposed to hit you hard.

Rated: C+

Aug 19, 2024

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

An undisputed reference when it comes to exploring new forms of auteurial expression within the framework of genre and spectacular cinema. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 28, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Lee’s not-inconsiderable talent makes a fine attempt to interpret the story with two or three unique touches, but he doesn’t make it vital or offer a fresh take.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 19, 2022

Full Review

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Dani G

There's some masterpieces that shouldn't be allowed to mess with. With this one they tried to twist it a little to fool us, but it was very evident. And also, a Hollywood ending? C'mon! Also, some very bad acting

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Gonzalo T

A stacked cast can’t save this lazy, soulless remake. Stripping away the original's internal monologue guts the emotional core, leaving Josh Brolin stranded with nothing to work with. Action scenes lack intensity, the twist lands flat, and Olsen’s nude scene feels like the film’s only marketing hook. A misguided adaptation that misses everything that made the original a masterpiece.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

Full Review

Iamwhoi M

It started out with a very interesting premise, then the wheels kind of fell off, and it got a bit dopey and really gross. I doubt I'll ever watch it again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Interested P

This movie gets hated on because everyone else compares it to the original. This movie is good in its own right. To go even further, the antagonist is more fleshed-out compared to the original. Yes, nothing compares to the original hammer-fight scene, but overall? It's a good movie and worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/08/25

Full Review

Georgan G

While an ok movie, it's not NEARLY as good as the original. Good acting, even in minor roles. If u have not since the 2003 film, it's a must see.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

Full Review

Christian L

By itself, I think it's a good film but it's hard to enjoy when you've already seen how much better Park Chan-wook's Oldboy was. Nothing could've prepared me for that ending. oh boy

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

Full Review

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Synopsis

Although his life is already in a downward spiral, things get much worse for advertising executive Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin) ; while drunk one night, Joe is kidnapped and thrown into solitary confinement in a bizarre, hotellike room. For the next 20 years, Joe suffers unimaginable torment, but the motive and identity of his captor remain unknown. When he is inexplicably set free, Joe emerges with one goal: to find the person who stole two decades of his life.

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Roy Lee, Doug Davison, Nathan Kahane
Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich
Distributor: FilmDistrict
Production Co: Vertigo, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Nudity|Some Graphic Sexuality|Strong Brutal Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 43m

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