GENERAL
The Breakdown: I... I can't. I don't even know.
Watch If: You're looking for something disturbing.
Not If: You're sensitive or just want to sleep tonight, or don't like drama.
SECONDARY FACTS
Overall Rating:
Length: 1:29
Country: South Korea
Language: None
Scare Factor: It's disturbing.
Noteworthy Aspects: The acting is phenomenal, particularly since there's no dialogue.
Triggers [Intensity/5]: Needles/ Surgery [2], Child Abuse [3], Spousal Abuse [4], Rape [4], Genital Mutilation [4], Incest [4]
REVIEW
THE QUICK AND DIRTY
Moebius is a bizarre, unforgiving portrayal of a sadomasochistic Oedipal complexes and if that doesn't sound good to you, or you're unsure about the premise or are in any way squeamish about taboos, I highly recommend you skip this film.
PREMISE: 3
Moebius exists in a point of reality that I never wish to visit again. It has many components of a shock film, but is most certainly more heavily derived from Greek tragedies, ie. Oedipus Rex. It is sick and strange, and I do have to commend the minds behind it, if only for so brazenly displaying his neurosis for the world to see. It takes either a genius or a mad man to come up with the roller coaster of discomfort that carries Moebius, and every gut-punching twist of fate aids the already nerve-wrecking story towards its climax.
ACTING: 5
This film has no dialogue, and yet, the actors manage to clearly portray the twisted and raw emotions that make this film a masterpiece. Moebius seems to have really pushed the three lead actors to their limits, and they managed to match every brutal scene for sheer brutality and unrelenting intensity.
VISUALS: 3
The visuals of Moebius and the decision to pull some of the punches by implication rather than graphic imagery is the only thing that makes this film watchable. The combination of what they do and do not choose to show and emphasize, managed to leave the most horrific parts to the viewers imagination, without using pure shock value as a crutch.
ATMOSPHERE: 4
I had trouble sitting through some parts of this film. It was uncomfortable and disturbing, but credit where it's due: it is exactly what it wanted to be. I do have to offer caution though: if this film isn't the kind of thing you're into, don't watch it. You won't like it- you might not even finish it. It is pretty intense, and the debauchery is only really comparable to Oedipus Rex.
DELIVERY: 3
Moebius is an astounding, take-no-prisoners sucker punch of a psyche-trip that succeeds leaps and bounds at accomplishing everything it meant to. Unfortunately, what it meant to be comes across in more than a few points as edgy for edginess's sake, often taking steps that are nearly as cringey as unsettling. This film is for a niche, and if that niche isn't you, that's OK. (It's not my niche either.) It is an unforgiving film that aims for its audience, and if that's not you, I highly recommend you watch something else.
Starring
Written By: Ki-duk Kim
Director: Ki-duk Kim
Producer: Ki-duk Kim Woo-taek Kim
Music: Inyoung Park
Associated Companies: Kim Ki-Duk Film
Cinematography: Ki-duk Kim
Make Up: Jin-ah Kim