Prominent SVOD (subscription video-on-demand) service, Neon, has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy. The service will re-release the film in the U.S. theatres to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary next year.
Oldboy is considered a South Korean cult classic. The movie is globally popular for its stylish and brutal fight sequences. It is a story of vengeance, revolving around a man who gets released after being imprisoned for 15 long years. Things go upside down after he discovers that he has to find the person responsible for his capture within five days. The film’s twist ending still manages to drop our jaws.
Neon is yet to reveal the release window of the remastered version of ‘Oldboy’. But the platform has confirmed that the movie has been remastered and restored in 4K HDR under Chan-wook’s supervision.
Oldboy came out in 2013. However, the film’s financial performance was not very impressive during the initial theatrical run. But it gained prominence after bagging the prestigious Grand Prix award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It serves as the second addition to Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy. The remaining parts of the trilogy are ‘Sympathy For Mr Vengeance’ and ‘Lady Vengeance’.
Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India both have removed ‘Oldboy’. These streaming platforms are yet to announce the release of the film’s remastered version. Although, you can stream Spike Lee’s Oldboy, serving as the official adaption of Park Chan-wook’s 2003 masterpiece, on Prime Video. Stay tuned for more updates.