Next Sohee (2022)

Next Sohee is the kind of drama-thriller that doesn’t just tell a story—it holds up a mirror, with a calm, devastating clarity that lingers long after the credits. July Jung directs with remarkable control and compassion, letting the horror seep in through everyday details until the system itself feels like the villain, and the film’s urgency never tips into melodrama. Kim Si-eun is quietly magnetic as So-hee, and Bae Doona brings a steady, human gravity to the investigation, turning procedural momentum into something deeply felt and quietly furious. It’s a tough watch—more unsettling than sensational—but if you’re on the fence, know this: it’s one of those rare films that grips you like a thriller while leaving you with the weight and empathy of great social cinema.

Next Sohee is clearly trying to be an angry, compassionate spotlight on how a system chews up young workers, and it doesn’t flinch from the ugliness of that reality. The problem is that it often delivers its point with a heavy hand and a slow-burn pace that can feel more draining than gripping, especially if you’re expecting a taut thriller. The investigation thread has moments of tension, but the procedural and melodramatic beats can feel like vehicles for the message rather than a story that naturally pulls you along. If you’re in the mood for a sober, socially driven drama with strong performances and a lingering sense of outrage, it lands; if you want subtlety, momentum, or catharsis, this may test your patience.