Ballerina (2023): Neon-lit bloody revenge
2023 • Lee Chung-hyun • 2.39:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓
In Ballerina, his second collaboration with actress Jeon Jong-seo after The Call, director Lee Chung-hyun tells the story of a former bodyguard who embarks on a revenge mission after the death of a close friend, targeting a criminal network involved in exploitation and violence.
The South Korean film is visually defined by its neon urban aesthetic. Night-dominant cityscapes, saturated neon lighting and high-contrast interiors create a heavily-stylised, colour-saturated environment rather than a realistic one. Danger is not confined to dark corners or dimly lit spaces. Instead, violence erupts in sudden, intense bursts, presented as efficient and contained with immediate consequences, marked by visible bloodshed.
Following the recent trend of violent revenge films, Ballerina avoids melodrama, favouring cold intensity and tightly composed visual action scenes instead. The film largely functions as a stylistic exercise, with violence carrying much of the narrative weight.
Technical Specs:
- The Story: A former bodyguard embarks on a relentless mission of revenge after the tragic death of her best friend, uncovering a brutal underworld of abuse, trafficking, and corruption. Read my review of Ballerina.
- Actors: Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Yu-rim, Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Seung-woo, Choi Hye-jin, Joo Hyun.
- Director: Lee Chung-hyun
- Year: 2023
- Cinematographer: Cho Hyung-rae
- Origin: Korean Cinema
- Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
- Genre: Action / Revenge Films
