69
Metascore
19 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90TheWrapInkoo KangTheWrapInkoo KangChon’s dense, ambitious, and observant film is full of impressive craft and insight.
- 80The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeThe Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeGook rises above message-movie mediocrity, enjoying its characters too much to use them as political mouthpieces.
- 75Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreTouching, disheartening and surprising, Gook punches through the noise of 2017’s clamor over race with a sobering look at a defining moment in modern American history. It’s a simple, straight-forward and compelling reminder that the villains and the victims were spread further across the spectrum than we’ve ever dared to accept.
- 75The Film StageDan MeccaThe Film StageDan MeccaChon has a vision and a voice and a good story to tell, full of social relevance and fiery emotion. Something this energetic and cared for is hard to criticize all that much. It’s a film worth seeking out and telling others about.
- 75New York PostSara StewartNew York PostSara StewartIf the plot becomes a bit scattered in its third act, a generous interpretation might be that it’s a reflection of the chaotic cultural backdrop. Chon directs with style and a humane eye for all parties; he’s a dynamic young director to keep your eye on.
- 70Los Angeles TimesSheri LindenLos Angeles TimesSheri LindenThe low-budget movie, shot in artful black-and-white by Ante Cheng, pulses with yearning and sorrow and love for its characters. Its brightening touches of underplayed humor strengthen and comment on the main action.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaNew York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaThe images of polo-shirt wearing Asian men with rifles lining the rooftops of Koreatown is one of the more troubling images from April 1992. Gook purposefully chooses not to tell a story of that scale, but I did wish it could have found more moral complexity in the corner of the city it chose to depict.
- 58The PlaylistKyle KohnerThe PlaylistKyle KohnerIn only his second film, it’s evident that Chon possesses a forcible voice for storytelling and a keen eye for character building.
- 50Slant MagazineClayton DillardSlant MagazineClayton DillardJustin Chon fumbles the take on how his characters' anger fits into the greater landscape of a L.A. during the aftermath of the Rodney King beating.