Mystery thriller 'Intruder' strips down conventional idea of family

Actor Kim Moo-yul, left, director Sohn Won-pyung and actress Song Ji-hyo at a press conference for the film “Intruder” held at Yongsan CGV in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The mystery thriller “Intruder,” starring Song Ji-hyo and Kim Moo-yul, is poised to be the first local film to hit theaters here after having had its premiere delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film revolves around a woman named Yu-jin, played by Song, who returns to her family after being missing for 25 years. But things start to change within the family as Yu-jin's brother, Seo-jin, played by Kim, grows suspicious of his sister.

Seo-jin, who suffers from depression after losing his wife in a car accident, tries to uncover Yu-jin's secrets and discovers a shocking truth about her.

The film evokes suspense through a sharp conflict between the two characters. Seo-jin's skepticism toward his sister grows as Yu-jin displays mysterious behavior and manipulates their parents psychologically.

It allows the audience to raise questions about whether Yu-jin is really Seo-jin's biological sister and why she has intruded on his family.

Director Sohn Won-pyung said she had prepared this project for eight years and wanted to offer a different perspective of family.

“The concept of family is mostly accepted positively in our society,” Sohn said during a press conference for the film in Seoul, Wednesday. “But the sad truth is that sometimes family isn't what it's intended to be. Sometimes, families hold the deepest and darkest secrets.”

“Intruder” challenges the conventional idea that we have about the value of family, asking whether the audience can accept a perfect stranger into their family.

Sohn, who is making her feature debut with the film, is a best-selling author for her novel “Almond.” In April, she won the 2020 Japanese Booksellers' Awards in the category of a translated fiction novel for the book, becoming the first non-Japanese Asian writer to win the award.

Kim Moo-yul and Song Ji-hyo in a scene from the “Intruder.” / Courtesy of AceMaker Movieworks

Song, who is returning to the big screen after two years, revealed that she was worried about taking on a terrifying role that is completely different from her bright public image.

“I was attracted to the script and Yu-jin's character, although she is extremely dark,” Song said. “I really wanted to live in the character and immerse myself fully. After watching the finished movie, I wish I had done better. But I really tried my best to bring out the dark side of myself.”

Kim lost weight for the Seo-jin role. “My character is very sensitive, so that he often loses his sanity,” Kim said. “So, I had to follow a strict diet routine and exercise a lot in order to lose weight.”

On his dramatic transformation for the role, Kim said: “Rather than feeling pressured, I thought it was exciting and interesting to show the different sides of me.”

The director and cast expressed their hope that “Intruder” will set an example for other films by premiering amid the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 situation is unpredictable,” Song said. “Safety is the most important concern nowadays, but we hope our film becomes a reason for audiences to visit the cinema and enjoy cultural activities.”

“Intruder” will hit local theaters on June 4, about three months after its original premiere date was canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.