Because of the inextricable link between technology and humanity, we can no longer envision our existence without it. The greatest innovation of mankind has resulted in ease and connectedness.
Cell phones have essentially given us access to the entire planet. You can take a photo, conduct a transaction, peruse the internet indefinitely, and video contact your best buddy with a single click.
Moreover, much like the conversations we had in school about the benefits and drawbacks of the internet, “Unlocked” is virtually a full argument given with a case study about everything that can go wrong with technology. Tae-Joon, a debut director, recreates the structured digital chaos we live in as we go from one app to another in a vicious loop. Lee Nami, marketing for a jelly business, is at the epicenter of this mayhem. We follow her on social media and eventually see a drunk Nami lose her phone on the bus. And thus the Netflix thriller “Unlocked,” based on Akira Teshigawara’s novel of the same name, started.
That night, a young man steals Nami’s phone. He attempts to open it using the information he gleaned from her social network, but nothing works. He eventually breaks the screen and asks Nami to meet him to get the phone. The catch is that the man purported to be a woman and conversed with Nami using recorded audio. The man is clearly a seasoned player, and Nami is one of his many victims.
Meanwhile, Ji-Man and the missing person team uncover the body of a disfigured lady deep in the jungle. Ji-Man travels down to the source after uncovering vials of plant nourishment and identifies the plum tree. When his kid turned 10, he planted a plum tree deep within the mountain forest. His son’s name was even written on the tree.
Ji-Man and Jun Yeong hadn’t spoken in seven years. He knew his son was stupid, but he never imagined him capable of murder. He questioned if Jun Yeong was the murderer or if he had been duped by one of his buddies. He was aware that his son was in contact with his mother and attempted to obtain information from her. He discovered that Jun Yeong frequently moved from one location to another, and he made it a point to warn her of this. He hunted him down and discovered key evidence that indicated Jun Yeong was guilty of the latest murder. In the meantime, Nami strikes up an odd connection with a stranger called Oh Jun-Yeong, who shares her hobbies.
As more deaths are discovered in the forest, along with vials of plant food, the mystery intensifies. Ji-Man struggled to accept the possibility that his son was participating in the serial murders, but he was determined to be the first to apprehend him. All he wanted to do was punish his son for ruining his reputation over the years.
Yet, obtaining Jun Yeong was not a simple feat. Ji-Man goes to great measures to find his son and deliver justice to those who have died. Although a bigger threat looms, Nami decides to trust her senses over the advice of others around her. “Unlocked” isn’t only about Nami’s life; it’s also a remark on our reliance on technology. It is also about the agony that a parent has when he finds his kid may have been engaged in a horrible crime, as well as a psycho killer with a pattern but no purpose.
The plot of “Unlocked” is quite predictable. Too many murder cases (both real and fictitious) have had stalkers utilizing statistics to threaten victims to predict how the tale would unfold. While the first half of the film is rather predictable, the second half has unexpected developments that liven things up. While the adrenalin level increases near the finish, “Unlocked” falls short owing to a lack of character growth. We never got to know the characters well enough, thus we never felt emotionally connected to them.
Nami’s father and closest friend, for example, were scarcely defined, and their connection with Nami was not explored beyond what was required for the plot to advance. With a few heated stares that didn’t achieve anything, Ji-Man may have been more than simply a father. Ji-man and Jun-Yeong’s relationship needed to be shown more accurately as well. The emphasis was only on creating suspense and shock, which resulted in a lack of character depth. Despite this, the performers were convincing enough to pull it off. Chun Woo-hee skillfully depicted Nami’s cheerful and aggressive aspects. Yim Si-wan, a well-known K-drama actor, played the crazed stalker convincingly.
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If you can ignore the obvious, “Unlocked” is fun. The film undoubtedly appeals to the Netflix audience seeking a pleasant viewing that does not necessitate too much contemplation. Nevertheless, as a film, “Unlocked” did not reach its full potential; the picture strove too hard not to be predictable and, in the process, lost focus on the people, who deserved to be more than just plot devices. It was fascinating how the crazy murderer lacked motivation, similar to our mindless surfing on social media. The absence of motivation contributes to the general lack of purpose in people’s life.
Most individuals are merely going through the motions of a routine in which social media is their main source of amusement, and many do not understand the distinction between being fans and scary stalkers. Social media allows us to monitor individuals without ever knowing them directly, which may be good for creating connections but harmful if the knowledge is used to inflict harm. Would people reconsider posting on social media after seeing “Unlocked”? We can only hope.
