Memories of Murder
Directed by Bong Joon Ho · 2003 ·
Is Memories of Murder worth watching?
Yes. Memories of Murder (2003) earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.
4-input transparent breakdown
Also known as 살인의 추억 Memorias de un Asesino Memories of Murder (Crónica de un asesino en serie) Memórias de um Assassino 殺人の追憶 杀人回忆 殺人回憶 Cinayet Günlüğü
🏆 2 award wins — Won Best Cinematography, Blue Dragon Film Awards 2003
CJ Entertainment Where to watch
Streaming availability varies by region — our catalogue lists MUBI, BFI Player, ITVX in the United Kingdom. Check local listings for your region.
Rent: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home
Where to watch Memories of Murder by country
| Country | Streaming on |
|---|---|
| Japan | U-NEXT |
| South Korea | Netflix, TVING |
| United Kingdom | MUBI, BFI Player, ITVX |
Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.
Why this score?
- Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (95/100).
- Audiences widely enjoyed it (93%).
- Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
- Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.4/5).
- IMDb users score it 8.1/10.
Best for
- Viewers who want a well-regarded crime, drama pick
Not ideal for
Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy
Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Is Memories of Murder worth watching?
Yes — Memories of Murder earns an 87% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded crime, drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).
Celluloid verdict
Bong Joon Ho's procedural masterpiece pairs dark humor with mounting dread and a devastating final shot.
Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor
Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.
What is Memories of Murder about?
Detectives hunt Korea's first known serial killer in the 1980s, overwhelmed by incompetence, politics, and the limits of forensic science.
Watch the Trailer
Critic Reviews
Memories of Murder (2003) Review: The Case That Won't Close
★★★★½
Memories of Murder is Bong Joon Ho's 1980s serial-killer procedural, a darkly funny and haunting portrait of detectives, and a country, out of their depth.
Yes. It is one of the great crime films of the century, essential for fans of Parasite, police procedurals and anyone who likes dark humour with their dread.
Memories of Murder stills
Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.
Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.
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Memories of Murder: frequently asked questions
Is Memories of Murder worth watching?
Yes. Memories of Murder (2003) has a Celluloid Score of 87%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.
Where can I watch Memories of Murder?
In the United States you can rent it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home. Elsewhere: U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix, TVING in South Korea; MUBI, BFI Player, ITVX in the United Kingdom. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.
How long is Memories of Murder?
Memories of Murder runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).
What is Memories of Murder rated?
Memories of Murder is rated 15 in the UK, 14A in Canada and 15 in South Korea. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.
Who stars in Memories of Murder?
Memories of Murder is directed by Bong Joon Ho and stars Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Kim Roe-ha.
What is the Metascore for Memories of Murder?
Metacritic's Metascore for Memories of Murder is 82 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.
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