Red Eye (2004) User Reviews

Too simple, too naive, low class

[rust37 · 4/10 · 27 October 2006]

BOne of the best Korean horror? ... Are you kidding? Let's disassemble this train.

Acting was so poor and naive, like one in a B-class 60-s, say, Chinese communist comedy about countryside life.

Camera panning was weird and again naive... Looked like the only editor they could afford had taken a lifetime vacation so they just cut the film with kitchen scissors without any idea of transitions.

Sound is fine... if only one can live with a full-silent background in cabin of a high-speed train on the move.

Naivety of the script was shining bright in the climax full of pathetic (around 15-minutes) dialogs sort of "Oh, daughter, forgive me" "Oh, father, we will stay together forever". Oh, man, it was so damn romantic.

The other thing I liked about this train except decorations and the only somehow impressive scene with a girl out of the pool of blood were weak exploitations of claustrophobic fears with shots in dark tunnel, classic trick with lights turning off one by one and so on.

I would rate this as a B-class Asian horror, nothing in common with higher-class Ju-on, Ringu and more representative genre specimens from Korea like A Tale of Two Sisters or Doll Master.

Red Eye

[Scarecrow-88 · 5/10 · 26 July 2011]

A tragedy involving a train collision which killed 250 people is at the heart of Dong-bin Kim's South Korean ghost story "Red Eye". Shin-yeong Jang is Mi-sun, the daughter of the train conductor killed during the aforementioned collision. Mi-sun's father has gained a notoriety for the crash, his inability to stop the disaster questioned by a bereaved public. She decides, on her birthday no less, to take the graveyard shift on a train, on its "maiden voyage" as it will be "put out to pasture" after one final night of carrying passengers from one city to another on a 6-hour schedule. What happens during this schedule makes up the bulk of the film (only once does the train actually stop, with a few passengers exiting, including one young man who split from his girlfriend after a spat between the two) as Mi-sun "sees dead people". Her train actually has cars belonging to the disaster, salvaged from the wreckage. Perhaps these cars brought along the presence of those restless souls who have yet to find their peace from this world? An important plot point involves two children who survived the crash which killed their parents (and, especially, how their parents were responsible for the crash) and might be on the train 15 years after the disaster. Anyway, bodies are possessed and Mi-sun, because she knows too much, might be in danger. Dong-kyu Lee is an employee on the train, Jin-kyu, who befriends the nervous Mi-sun, new and inexperienced, offering advice and support. Ji-min Kwak is So-hee, who claims to see ghosts, feeling presences on their train. When the possessed decide to repeat the terrible tragedy from years back, Mi-sun will try to stop them—but can she? The result of this extremely slow-moving, and basically uneventful story, stays stuck in first gear and never really takes off. "Red Eye" recycles "ghost girl" clichés such as black hair coiling around the face of a victim and the contorting bodies of ghouls charging towards people. My favorite scene involves a specter appearing from a puddle of blood, looking to possess Mi-sun, her plans thwarted by Jin-kyu who was her lover (he was also on the train, but survived), appealing to her. A lot of the cinematography is too dark, but the train itself is a nice setting for a ghost story. If only "Red Eye" had more genuine chills, it might have been more successful. The filmmakers hold back a bit too much and it simply takes too long to get to the horror which is unforgivable. Some decent characterizations help, though. Wish I could say this was a pleasurable experience, but I'd be lying—it was quite a chore to get through. The ending does tie loose ends, and allows certain characters (and spirits) to find closure, so if you enjoy the developing story you might find it rewarding.

Hampered by Ambiguous Direction

[Uriah43 · 5/10 · 30 August 2015]

Having lost her father in a train accident at a young age, "Oh Mi-sun" (Shin-yeong Jang) grows up and volunteers to work on the very same train her father served on previously. As it so happens her first job occurs on her birthday and also on the last run for this particular train before it is deactivated. Essentially, what Oh Mi-sun needs is closure and she believes this is her one and only chance for it. However, things don't quite go as planned because mysterious events begin to occur which only Oh Mi-sun and a young female passenger named "So-hee" (Ji-min Kwak) are able to partially discern. Not long afterward people begin to die in mysterious circumstances. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was an interesting film which was hampered by its ambiguous direction. That said, perhaps some of this confusion could have been resolved had more time been spent providing greater background detail. In any case, although the movie lacked sufficient clarity it was still entertaining to a certain degree. Additionally, the presence of several pretty actresses like the aforementioned Ji-min Kwak certainly didn't hurt either. Be that as it may, and despite its rather obvious faults, I rate this movie as about average and recommend it to those who enjoy horror movies of this type.

Blah !

[dmuel · 2/10 · 19 October 2005]

In this too stupid ghost on a train story, the heroine sees ghosts. Of course, the ghost have issues and, as in many flicks of late, only our heroine has enough sense to figure it out. She gets a little help from another everyday gal with psychic powers along the way, but it's the spirit world that has to intervene for the sake of the none-too-bright living. Not too much that's original in this Korean flick that tries to generate tension but never really succeeds. It moves slowly and never pays off. I think I would have written less, but the guidelines require ten lines. This movie doesn't deserve 10 lines. What a silly rule.

OK so here are a few more lines to fill out the space required. If you get a chance to rent this DVD as a special, and you're bored, go for it. Otherwise, rent something else.

You won't be losing sleep over this...

[paul_haakonsen · 3/10 · 1 January 2016]

While "Red Eye" (aka "Redeu-ai") is labeled as a horror movie, it isn't particularly scary in any way, which was somewhat of a disappointment. This is more of a supernatural mystery, if a label has to be put on the movie.

The story is about a train which is embarking on its final ride between Seoul and Yeosu. But some of the coaches bear a tie to a dark tragic train accident in the past, and people believe that the train is haunted.

"Red Eye" is slow paced and never really managed to kick off the dust and get up in gear. A shame really, if you ask me, because the movie had potential. It had an interesting setting and some adequate acting performances.

There were no jumpy scary moments, nor were there any real creepy moments, which ultimately left the movie in a mediocre spiral.

The most impressive part in "Red Eye" was where a woman came up from a pool of blood on the floor. Everything else was just bland or downright unimpressive.

If you enjoy South Korean horror films, then there are far better choices available than "Red Eye" I paused this movie twice for 10-15 minutes each time to go do something else, and then returned to the movie, hoping it would improve. Which it didn't. I admit that I was starting to seriously lose interest in the movie at around midway through it.

I see dead people,the twist this time is its set on a train

[theNomadz · 7/10 · 18 April 2005]

I think you can tell by my summary that I'm a little tired of the current glut of Asian ghost films,which is a little unfair as I'm sure the more casual fan will highly enjoy this film as its got a lot of nice characters to help it chug along at a fair enough pace.

Basic idea is a train as well as its retiring driver are set to take their last journey,only snag is its got parts of a train that was in some old train crash,bring along on the journey the typical trolley girl new recruit,the handsome lead,a few punky teen passengers and spooky i see dead people kid who's riding alone to be greeted on the final stop by his mother.

What the film lacks in originality it makes up for in an almost nice feeling old school horror with a were all in this together plot,and some of the camera techniques and tricks are great like the way you know your in the spook world when the colour tints yellow,nothing your 13 year old wouldn't sit through but nice entertainment (I give a 7 out of 10)

A Decent Asian Thriller!

[ladyangel · 7/10 · 15 September 2005]

It's not as good as the big ones like One missed call,The Grudge or The Ring

but it's pretty scary and have good effects so i would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes Asian thrillers!

Sometimes it's a little dull ( i feel asleep) halfway through it!

But that could have been just me being tired (or maybe i was so scared i passed out ^-^

As usual in Asian thrillers it's kinda hard to follow in the plot and it leaves you with a vague feeling of unsatisfaction..

Did I or Didn't I get the end right?

But if you just relax and enjoy the movie its scary enough in itself and the actors are good and believable. I gave it an 7 out of ten cause i'm sure it will get even better when i watch it again (without falling asleep this time!)

A Good Ghost Movie

[mollycat · 8/10 · 1 June 2005]

Good ghost movies are hard to find. I love a good ghost movie, but normally most turn out to be teen-slashers, or just plain silly. This one is very enjoyable. It's not terrifying, and it will not make you hide behind your sofa or think too much, but it is creepy and well-paced. There are some jumpy moments, but the real stress is on a slow build up. For some time the presence of anything sinister is only hinted at. We see characters interacting, dark shadows in the corner, and glimpses of the past, mostly experienced by the main character, a female conductor. It is her first trip as a conductor, and the last trip for a train on that particular line, on which a terrible accident has happened years earlier. There is an atmosphere of menace, which slowly becomes more threatening as more of the characters' fears and backgrounds are revealed and the train gathers speed. There are clichéd scenes, such as someone innocently picking up a coat out of which falls an important newspaper clipping, but they are not bad enough to render the film ridiculous. The effects are well done and sometimes scary, and the slow pacing, accompanied by the constant sound of the train and the subtle cinematography, make for a great atmosphere. If you enjoy spookiness and ghosts you will like this.

Gives hope and get's you disappointed...

[slimebitch · 7/10 · 5 January 2006]

If you like horror watch this movie! I watched this movie by mistake, thinking it was "Red Eye" made by Wes Craven, but couldn't stop watching =) I liked this movie from the beginning...I think it's quite unique and creepy which I like. I'm a big horror movie fan and love creepy Asian movies. "Redeu-ai" got lost somewhere along the way somehow though I think. I gave me lots of hope in the beginning and middle of the film but no creepy feeling in the end and that made me a bit sad =/ It reminded me of "Dark Water". Lots of creepy scenes and not much in the end. But I still think it's worth seeing. I really don't hope the Americans try to copy this film to as the have with "The ring", "Ringu" and "Dark Water", "Honogurai mizu no soko kara". The Americans copy very good movies and make a bad version I think. Please leave "Redeu-ai" as it is Americans, I beg of you!

Pretty good, solid genre pic! Nice one!

[72hw · 8/10 · 20 April 2005]

Compared to the dearth of truly awful 'horror' movies we have been subjected to as of late - Tokyo Psycho, Yogen (Premonition) and Cursed among others, 'Redeye' is a masterpiece! Yet I have read a number of less than complimentary off-site reviews that have left me wondering what it is people find so wrong about Redeye...

I mean really, was it the 90% cognitive storyline that turned people off? Or the above-par cinematography which kept the same 3 major train car sets from getting utterly boring that did it? Perhaps the fairly inventive and fresh take on an admittedly familiar 'haunting' scenario was too much for some?

*Minor chance of a true spoiler alert* With only one glaring glitch towards the final sequence that finds our protagonist suddenly aware of a certain paternal pact that had not been hinted at previously, the writing is fairly tight.

And while I would not really consider Redeye a 'horror' picture per se, it's an entertaining and well made ghost-story obviously tailored to appeal to the masses - not just gore-hound fear-junkies like myself.

Again speaking only for myself, Redeye kept my attention and provided enough 'almost creepy' moments to get my stamp of approval. *Especially* when held up against much of the recent wave of releases in the same genre from Korea and Asia in general.

My bottom line - if you enjoy the more Westernized horror films from Asia like 'Chakushin ari', 'The Nightmare Game' or 'Otogiriso' you will get a kick out of Redeye. Just don't expect it to make your skin crawl.

Pretty spooky South Korean horror.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 3 August 2005]

"Red Eye" flashes forwards almost two decades ago to find new train attendant Mi Sun as she takes the last train of the day in a torrential downpour.Things seem normal at first,but suddenly the train begins to stop every ten minutes.Strangely,when the train resumes its course,everything inside has changed.In the late 80's a horrific train accident resulted in the death of a hundreds victims.The cause of the disaster was never determined and the case became unsolved."Red Eye" by Kim Dong Bin is almost a typical haunted house flick.There's the strange noise and glimpses of something dark and horrifying,the passengers of the train get increasingly disturbed and those who wander off by themselves meet a gruesome end.The train setting provides some spooky moments and there is enough creepiness to satisfy fans of Asian horror.Give it a look.8 out of 10.

The best Horror movie from Korea Yet!!!

[info-2513 · 10/10 · 26 April 2005]

In 1988, a train travelling from Seoul to Yeosu was involved in a myesterious accident that killed about 100 people. The cause of the accident was never discovered. Now, 16 years later, the train is making its final run. Not long after the trip begins, the passengers start to notice strange things as the ghosts of the victims of the 80's crash begin to make their presence felt.

After 16 years of the accident, the last train of the day is ready to take off at its platform as the rain is pouring. A train attendant Mi-sun is on board first time at work and the train leaves its platform as scheduled and rapidly gains the full speed. All of sudden, it stops for 10 minutes without any reason, and restarts. However, when it begins to run, everything is totally different from 10 minutes ago. All she can see is from the 80's and old newspaper with the date written July 16, 1988. Does she see an illusion, or reality? If this unbelievable scene is reality, where is she indeed? What happened during the 10 minutes when the train stopped and where are they headed to?