Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- bleak
- melancholic
- visceral
- late night viewing
- korean cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious gangster plotting, complex characters, and thrilling action while finding its extended runtime and tonal mixture uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Tae-gu pursues violent retribution after the targeted deaths of his sister and nephew.
Tae-gu's retreat to Jeju Island brings him into contact with Jae-yeon while danger closes in around them.
Jeju Island's paradisiacal environment becomes a backdrop for gang conflict, illness, betrayal, and impending death.
Tae-gu is introduced as an elite gang operative but is motivated by concern for his sick sister and nephew and later bonds with Jae-yeon.
Films like Night in Paradise, and why
The Yellow Sea
south korean gangster violence, betrayal, revenge, and emotionally bleak noir atmosphere
A Bittersweet Life
stylized crime action, doomed characters, gangland betrayal, and tragic emotional intensity
New World
hard-edged korean gangster drama combining brutal set pieces with melancholy character work
I Saw the Devil
neo-noir revenge structure, morally compromised criminals, and escalating violence
Movie Details
- Director
- Park Hoon-jung
- Release Date
- 2020-09-03
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (323)
Cast
- Um Tae-goo
- Jeon Yeo-bin
- Cha Seung-won
- Lee Ki-young
- Park Ho-san
- Hyun Bong-sik
- Cho Dong-in
- Cha Soon-bae
- Jang Young-nam
- Heo Nam-jun
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Night in Paradise about?
- A doomed gangster seeks revenge and discovers fragile solidarity with a terminally ill woman while hiding on Jeju Island.
- What is Night in Paradise like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Night in Paradise as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Night in Paradise violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Night in Paradise as graphic.
- What did critics think of Night in Paradise?
- Critics broadly praised the film's ambitious gangster plotting, complex characters, and thrilling action while finding its extended runtime and tonal mixture uneven.
- Which films are like Night in Paradise?
- Films with a similar feel include The Yellow Sea, A Bittersweet Life, New World, and I Saw the Devil.
- How long is Night in Paradise?
- Night in Paradise runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Night in Paradise?
- In United States, Night in Paradise streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
