On March 21, 2025, Netflix premiered Revelations, a South Korean mystery thriller that showcases the directorial and writing talents of Yeon Sang-ho, best known for his work on Train to Busan. Co-written with Choi Gyu-seok, the film draws inspiration from a webtoon and features notable performances by Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-been. The plot centers around two characters: Sung Min-chan, a devoted pastor portrayed by Ryu Jun-yeol, and detective Lee Yeon-hui, played by Shin Hyun-been. Their paths intersect while investigating a case of a missing person entwined with a dark spiritual undertone.
Is Revelations a film worthy of your time? For fans of slow-burning psychological thrillers infused with spiritual elements, this film may pique your curiosity. Ryu Jun-yeol’s compelling performance alone warrants a viewing.
However, it’s important to note the film’s shortcomings, such as inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, and lack of narrative clarity, which prevent it from achieving must-watch status. Despite these drawbacks, it enriches Netflix’s catalog of Korean thrillers with its ambitious narrative.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions presented in this review are solely those of the author.
The story opens with Sung Min-chan faced with personal turmoil stemming from his wife’s infidelity and the overshadowing threat of a megachurch seeking to absorb his small congregation. The narrative escalates when his son goes missing, leading him to suspect a recently released sex offender, Kwon Yang-rae (played by Shin Min-jae), is involved in the abduction.
As his faith becomes increasingly intertwined with desperation, Sung Min-chan interprets perceived divine signs that push him toward taking drastic actions. Simultaneously, Detective Lee Yeon-hui grapples with the unresolved trauma of her sister’s abduction years prior. The connection deepens when she finds herself drawn to Kwon Yang-rae’s case after his sudden disappearance. Their dual journeys—one fueled by persistent faith and the other driven by a quest for justice—form the emotional backbone of this slow-burning thriller.
Examining Themes of Faith and Trauma in Revelations
Revelations ambitiously explores themes of faith, morality, and humanity’s quest for meaning amidst chaos. While the film features intriguing moments, it often struggles with maintaining a focused narrative. The first half delves deeply into Sung Min-chan’s spiral into obsession; unfortunately, this leads to a sluggish plot in the latter half where the pacing drags.
The film does pick up momentum with Lee Yeon-hui’s storyline taking the foreground, yet the prior uneven pacing detracts from the overall experience.
Ryu Jun-yeol delivers a remarkable performance, effectively portraying Sung Min-chan’s metamorphosis from a man of faith to one obsessively interpreting divine will. Meanwhile, Shin Hyun-been provides a gripping performance as Lee Yeon-hui, skillfully navigating her character’s internal conflicts between professional responsibilities and personal grief. Their chemistry brings an urgent tension that propels the film’s central conflict.
Though the narrative raises significant ethical questions, its structure and pacing impede full engagement. The tension fluctuates between Min-chan’s growing fanaticism and Yeon-hui’s tenacious quest for justice regarding her sister.
Thematically, Revelations tackles profound questions surrounding faith and morality, though it falls short of thoroughly addressing these inquiries. The story also probes the potential for redemption for individuals with troublesome pasts and explores the extent to which one might go in pursuit of righteousness.
One notable aspect is the film’s limited exploration of Kwon Yang-rae, the accused character. Rather than humanizing him or providing depth to his backstory, the character is largely depicted as a mere ominous presence, reducing the complexity of moral discussions within the narrative. Ultimately, Revelations culminates in a chilling closing conversation that leaves a lasting impact.
However, much of the emotional resonance is softened by the film’s scattered focus as it draws to a close. While it attempts to deliver a thought-provoking conclusion, the journey feels laborious rather than exhilarating. For those seeking a dark and philosophical thriller, the film does feature moments of brilliance but lacks the cohesive execution to make it a truly exceptional work.
Fans of Yeon Sang-ho’s earlier creations, particularly Train to Busan and Hellbound, may find Revelations less engaging due to its meandering pace. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix.