Korean vampire movies—you ever seen one? No? Well, this was my first one ever: Thirst. And after sitting through it, I definitely see why it’s the top-tier recommendation.

The Setup: A Priest with a Problem

We’ve got our main character here, a priest. He’s doing his priest thing, but he’s feeling unfulfilled, right? Originally, he wanted to help people suffering from diseases, so he volunteers for this experimental vaccine project in Africa. They tell him straight up: “There’s no cure. You’re either gonna die or you’re gonna make it.” He goes through with it, and in a turn of events, he survives—but it comes with a cost.

Not Your Typical Twilight

When he gets back, he ends up helping a family who thinks he’s a miracle worker. He stays with them, and that’s when he meets “Shorty.” I won’t spoil the whole joint, but he eventually shows her what he’s become and everything he can do.

Let me tell you: this is not your typical vampire movie. It’s not all that mythical stuff you’ve seen a thousand times. My man is a vampire by accident, and he doesn’t even want to take it to those dark extremes. He needs the blood for a reason (I’m not gonna say why), and he doesn’t want to live this life alone, so they come together. But by the end of the jump? She definitely turns up, and things get a little out of control.

The Creative Mind: Park Chan-wook

This movie comes from the director Park Chan-wook. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the same dude behind Oldboy and The Handmaiden. This guy just won a grip of nominations this past award season for his new work, No Other Choice, so you know the quality is there.

Just like his other movies, he takes the standard “vampire narrative” and turns it into something completely different. It’s grounded, it’s weird, and it’s captivating.

The Verdict: Read the Movie!

Subtitles, please! I don’t care if you don’t like reading your movies—go read this one. This genre is definitely worth the watch and it surprised me. Korea just does it all when it comes to cinema.

Go watch it, come back, and let me know if we’re in the same headspace.

Nobodyz Opinion.