Memoir of a Murderer

Memoir of a Murderer threads a tense balance between memory and violence. Byung-su, once a notorious killer, is eroded by Alzheimer's while trying to keep his daughter Eun-hee safe from a boyfriend whose loyalties are unclear. As the father and daughter spend time together, clues about the past surface and threaten to pull them apart. The man she is dating appears charming but raises alarms as strange echoes of old crimes surface in Byung-su's fading mind. The film tracks their everyday routines with a claustrophobic rhythm, letting memory gaps and misread signals drive uncertainty. Throughout, Byung-su clings to a protective instinct that might prove more dangerous than the threat outside. The audience wonders who holds the power in this family.

Directed by Won Shin-yeon, the film adapts a Korean novel idea by Kim Young-ha and Hwang Jo-yoon. Shot on a modest budget, Memoir of a Murderer leans into mood and character over flashy spectacle, highlighting tension and restraint and nuance.

Box office data for Memoir of a Murderer is not publicly disclosed, reflecting its limited release and niche appeal. The film premiered in Korea and circulated mainly through art-house circuits, with a quiet post release presence in select markets globally.

Critics respond to the film with a focus on atmosphere and performances rather than sensational action. The story probes memory loss, parental devotion, and the moral costs of protecting loved ones, while keeping suspense rooted in character rather than twists. The result is bleakly human, precisely observed by most viewers.

Cultural impact is modest, but the film contributes to a wave of Korean thrillers that center memory and moral ambiguity. Sul Kyung-gu's performance shapes a bruised yet determined portrait of a man trying to protect family, while the mystery surrounding his daughter's life mirrors broader genre anxieties in recent years.