South Korea’s cinematic landscape has undergone a remarkable evolution, particularly within the realms of dystopia, science fiction, and neo-noir. Pioneered by directors like Park Chan Wook and Bong Joon Ho, these genres have become fertile ground for exploring complex themes through a distinctly Korean lens. With a penchant for morally ambiguous characters and unpredictable narratives, Park Hoon Jung has emerged as a leading figure in this cinematic renaissance.
The Tyrant Ending Explained: Cha Seung Won, Kim Seon Ho lead an intense action thriller overshadowed by incoherent plot; finale leaves questions about Jae-gyeong’s fate
His previous works, V.I.P and The Witch, have garnered critical acclaim for their ability to blur the lines between good and evil, creating a world where the audience is constantly questioning their allegiances. The Tyrant, his latest venture, promises to be another thrilling chapter in his oeuvre. Initially conceived as a feature film, this four-episode miniseries offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of its characters and world-building. The star-studded cast featuresing Cha Seung Won, Kim Seon Ho, Jo Yoon Soo, Kim Kang Woo, and Kim Joo Heon. The limited series premiered on August 14 with 4 episodes.
CHARACTERS
Kim Seon Ho as Choi Gook Jang doesn’t give much to imagine or delve into. His character is pretty straightforward, with a no-nonsense attitude. He meets a heartbreaking end eventually. His character is reminiscent of the one he played in The Childe. Granted, it seems set in a wide universe created by director Park Hoon Jung.
Cha Seung Won’s character Im Sang might remind the audience of Saswata Chatterjee’s character Bob Biswas from Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani. Both play cold-hearted hitmen with little to no room for any remorse. Those moments where they show a sliver of humanity only underscore their cold-hearted persona. While Im Sang is ruled by fervent patriotism, Bob Biswas just sought the thrill. A spinoff on Im Sang’s previous life and how he became a hitman would make for a great watch.
Jo Yoon So as Ja Kyung takes the center attention with her tragic backstory. Similar to what we saw in The Witch, again a female character who was struggling to keep her humane side alive while trying to understand what was happening around her.
Except for Ja Kyung, all other characters are from a government body or a gun for hire. This overlap of morally corrupt characters only goes to show how a dysfunctional government body could lead to a chaotic aftermath leaving a messy aftermath in its wake. It can also be used as a dialogue to discuss the alleged clandestine activities that happen in real life too.
REVIEW
The audience is thrust into the epicenter of action. It takes a moment to let the story sink in but once it is set in motion, it picks up quite the speed. With each episode set around 45 minutes, there is ample space for each lead to shine as the story inches forward. While it does feel that The Tyrant could have served a better punch as a crisply edited movie, some might enjoy the expansive detailing presented in these four episodes. The Tyrant started with one unauthorized human test subject escaping captivity, and it ended with the same test subject still being at large. All it did was leave a slew of bodies and diplomatic strains as it tried to make sense of everything.
Like its spiritual predecessors, The Tyrant also follows a darker visual pattern. When it comes to neo-noir productions, a darker frame does not always lead to an engaging watch because we are left trying to find what is happening on the screen. Devices with full brightness and all filters removed do not prove effective either. It isn’t until a few scenes later that we can see somewhat of what is happening and what might have transpired in the early scene.
Another thing that does take away from the viewing experience is extensive info dumping in the dialogues. The Tyrant is a high-octane, visually striking K-drama that unfortunately stumbles in its attempt to craft a complex narrative. While the show boasts impressive action sequences and stylish cinematography, its convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters ultimately leave viewers feeling more confused than satisfied.
ENDING EXPLAINED
At the end of episode four, we see a flashback to 15 years ago when Ja Kyung ended up at her adopted father’s doorstep. She escaped captivity then and she escaped captivity in the present, again. Despite that engineered virus living inside her, she houses a shred of her humanity within her. After Choi Gook Jang is killed, her whereabouts are still unknown. She might go looking for her old home if her narration is to be taken into account. The Tyrant can be considered a sequel to The Witch franchise for it follows a similar story of genetically modified human test subjects, their quest to find their identity and freedom, and a horde of government agencies following them to clear any messy aftermath.
It will be fair to assume there will be more to look forward to in this dystopian science fiction universe created by director Park Hoon Jung. So far, we have only seen how these human test subjects are coming to terms with their reality and a little insight into what went behind creating them in the first place. In a world where government agencies are morally corrupt beyond measure, it does leave one to ponder how a society would function.
The Tyrant paved the way for a potential addition to The Witch universe. All wheels are set in motion so far, and the conclusion to this story will only be heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching, to say the least. So far we have only seen individuals trying to fight for their freedom and agencies trying to eliminate any threat. But where does this all end? Do these malpractices come to light and the society comes together to thwart any wrong doing? Or does it only create a space for an ill-intentions to take root again? There is certainly a dialogue on power abuse and the greater good in there somewhere. It remains to be seen how the makers give a fitting conclusion to this dystopian world.
The ending of The Tyrant is equally perplexing. A series of rapid-fire events culminates in a chaotic showdown, leaving many questions unanswered. The fate of the Tyrant remains ambiguous, and the motivations of the characters remain shrouded in mystery. The final scene, set fifteen years earlier, introduces a new layer of complexity to Jae-gyeong’s backstory, but it’s too little too late.
While The Tyrant certainly has its moments of brilliance, it ultimately falls short of its potential. The show’s focus on style over substance is evident in its visually stunning but narratively incoherent plot. Despite the impressive action sequences and the intriguing premise, the lack of character development and a satisfying conclusion prevent The Tyrant from becoming a truly memorable series.
Ultimately, The Tyrant is a missed opportunity. It’s a flashy, action-packed show that fails to deliver on its promise of a complex and engaging narrative. While it may entertain viewers with its visual flair, it leaves a sense of disappointment due to its underdeveloped characters and unresolved plot points.
Watch the trailer for The Tyrant here:
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