“Hidden Face” Review: A Campy Erotic Thriller with Twists and Turns

“Hidden Face” reunites Song Seung-heon and Cho Yeo-jeong, alongside director Kim Dae-woo, for a campy erotic thriller full of twists and turns. The film follows respected orchestral conductor Sung-jin (Song), who is struggling with the mysterious disappearance of his fiancée, Su-yeon (Cho), a star cellist in his orchestra. Su-yeon leaves a video message claiming she’s not ready for marriage and returning to Europe, but Sung-jin suspects foul play, as there’s no evidence she’s left Korea.

Enter Mi-ju (Park Ji-hyun), an old friend of Su-yeon’s and another talented cellist. Mi-ju claims Su-yeon asked her to fill in for her, and Sung-jin is quickly drawn to her. After inviting Mi-ju to his home, their night together turns into a passionate affair. However, the truth soon comes to light: Su-yeon is not missing at all. Instead, she’s secretly watching her fiancé and Mi-ju from behind a two-way mirror in a hidden room within their newly renovated house.

As the story unfolds, it shifts back in time, adding layers to a complex love triangle involving all three characters. “Hidden Face” is a remake of the 2011 Colombian thriller “The Hidden Face,” and though it stays true to the original premise, Kim’s version adds sensuality, drama, and a deeper exploration of obsession and jealousy. The characters’ complicated relationships are at the heart of the film, with Sung-jin’s character emerging as a flawed, unsympathetic figure constantly outwitted by the women in his life.

Park Ji-hyun delivers a standout performance as a femme fatale, while Cho Yeo-jeong fully embraces her role as the scheming, jealous wife. The film, though at times over-the-top and laden with melodrama, is undeniably entertaining, particularly for fans of late-night thrillers that mix sensuality with intrigue. However, the plot eventually collapses under the weight of its increasingly outrageous twists and turns.

Despite the film’s flaws, “Hidden Face” is a consistently scandalous ride for those looking for a mix of erotic thrills and campy drama, with its high-concept premise offering plenty of scandalous fun.

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