Psychokinesis (2018) Review

“Psychokinesis” Korean Theatrical Poster

Director: Yeon Sang-Ho
Writer: Yeon Sang-Ho
Cast: Ryoo Seung-Ryong, Shim Eun-Kyung, Park Jung-Min, Kim Min-Jae, Jung Yu-Mi
Running Time: 101 min. 

By Z Ravas

Train to Busan must be the most popular Korean film in America since Oldboy. No, I don’t have any hard data to back that up (although the movie did gross close to $100 million worldwide). But anecdotally, here in the States – where Korean cinema is still something of a niche interest – Train to Busan is the first Korean movie I’ve heard anyone having “water cooler conversations” about since Choi Min-sik stormed down a hallway with a hammer in his hand. No doubt, Train to Busan’s accessibility on Netflix had something to do with its wide reach. Given the film’s massive global success, it’s easy to imagine director Yeon Sang-ho was given something of a blank check when it came time to make his next movie. Now raise your hand if you expected Sang-ho to follow up his fast-paced zombie thriller with…a whimsical comedy about a deadbeat dad turned telekinetic superhero. No one?

Talk about a curveball. Yes, the filmmaker – who began his career in animation – has strayed from the horror genre altogether, writing and directing a movie that could easily fit alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe if it wasn’t so, well, off-beat and lackadaisical in its storytelling. That’s not a diss: Psychokinesis is a movie imbued with the same kind of ambling quality as it’s protagonist, portrayed by a charming and quite funny Ryu Seung-ryong (The Piper).  

As the movie opens, Ryu Seung-ryong is living a low-key existence as a security guard. You might call him a slacker, someone who isn’t afraid to skimp instant coffee packets from his employer when they’re not looking. Unbeknownst to him, the daughter who he abandoned years ago is having a much harder time of things. All grown up (and played by Train to Busan’s Shim Eun-kyung), she’s doing her best to run a successful fried chicken restaurant, but some greedy land developers are forcing her and other local business owners out – using any means necessary. When a meteorite from space crash lands and imbues some spring water with superpowers, Ryu Seung-ryong takes a sip and is suddenly given the chance to reconnect with his daughter and perhaps save her from Kim Min-jae’s (The Battleship Island) shady construction company.

That said, Psychokinesis takes its time getting there. Although Ryu Seung-ryong is granted his psychic powers quite early in the movie, director Yeon Sang-ho isn’t really interested in orchestrating comic book battles. Even when Ryu does end up using his abilities, their presentation is not much more outlandish than what we saw Carrie do decades ago, with Ryu waving his hand to send a bunch of rubberfaced goons toppling to the floor. Yeon Sang-ho is much more invested in the estranged relationship between father and daughter, a similar thread that he drew upon in Train to Busan, as well as the tightknit family of business owners in Gangwon Province who find themselves threatened with eviction. 

Fortunately, Yeon Sang-ho has assembled a talented cast, particularly Ryu Seung-ryong – whose gift for physical comedy here frequently reminded me of vintage Jackie Chan (I was continually amazed he was able to find new ways to strain his face and move his body every time he summoned his powers) – and Shim Eun-kyung as his stern but good-hearted daughter. Late in the movie, Jung Yu-mi (Chaw) makes an appearance as the corporate interest pulling the strings behind the evictions, and let’s just say the beautiful actress is afforded the chance to play against type as a truly unhinged villain. 

While it only runs 101 minutes, Psychokinesis still feels a tad longer than necessary, and even as I watched it I had to wonder if part of my enjoyment of the film was the result of residual goodwill from Train to Busan. The climax of the film sees Ryu Seung-ryong taking to the skies in comical leaps and bounds a la Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, which is fun in of itself, but I doubt very many of us watch Korean cinema because we want it to mimic Hollywood blockbusters – we so enjoy these movies precisely because they tend to deviate from the Hollywood playbook, or at least do them one better. Regardless, in the same way that Ryu Seung-ryong’s affable nature eventually thaws his daughter’s cold heart, Psychokinesis is too likable to judge harshly. Yeon Sang-ho’s background in animation is on clear display: the film’s crisp, visual storytelling means you could watch Psychokinesis on mute and still be able to follow the action and enjoy yourself. 

Perhaps the most exciting thing about Psychokinesis? After following up a relentless zombie flick with a superhero comedy, I have absolutely no idea what Yeon Sang-ho is going to do next. I just know it’ll be interesting. 

Z Ravas’ Rating: 7/10