★★★★
The Tenants, directed by Yoon Eun-kyong, is a dystopian Korean thriller playing at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival. Set in a futuristic Seoul, director Yoon Eun-kyong’s vision is darkly playful and wonderfully absurd, taking big swings at South Korean’s housing crisis and environmental issues with a savage sense of deadpan humour . The protagonist, Shin-dong, faces eviction and, in a desperate bid to survive, rents out his bathroom to an eccentric couple. This decision sets off a chain of bizarre and challenging events that highlight the corrupting nature of capitalism system he is attempting to turn to his own benefit – and soon it becomes unclear who exactly is playing whom, and whether there’ll be any escape for anyone.
Director Yoon brings a unique vision to The Tenants. Her direction creates a world that is both familiar and alien, with a stark realism that makes the absurdity of the characters’ situations even more striking. An unshowy visual style, rendered in crisp black and white, reflects the harsh realities of the characters’ lives – and the use of tight, claustrophobic spaces emphasizes the sense of entrapment and desperation that pervades the film.
The performances are outstanding across the board. Kim Dae-gun, who plays Shin-dong, delivers a nuanced and compelling portrayal of a man pushed to the brink of madness. His journey from a struggling tenant to a desperate individual is both heartbreaking and relatable, with Lee bringing depth and authenticity to his character. The supporting cast, including the eccentric couple played by Heo Dong-won (The Roundup) and Park So-hyun add layers of complexity and dark humor – Park in particular is a riot as the permanently grinning but near-silent wife of the invasive couple.
The script, also from Director Park, is sharp and balances humor with serious social commentary. The absurd situations and characters provide moments of levity, but they also serve to underscore the film’s critique of capitalism. The sly humor consistently highlights the absurdity of the characters’ predicaments and the system that traps them. Late-breaking twists, weaving in concerns that range from mental health and the pharmaceutical industry to processed food and the pressures of the South Korean workplace keep the audience on the back foot, before arriving at a conclusion that’s sure to have viewers bugging out.
The Tenants‘s look at the housing crisis and environmental issues is timely, and its critique of capitalism is scathing and insightful. The blend of dark humor and absurdity challenges its audience to reflect on the systems that govern our lives and the ways in which they can drive us to madness. The Tenants is a must-watch for fans of Yorgos Lanthimos, or Polanski’s Apartment Trilogy, and those who appreciate films that tackle heavy themes with a touch of absurdity..
The Fantasia Film Festival runs July 18 – August 4 in Montreal, Canada.
Whitlock&Pope 