Review: 'Thirst'

Let it not be said of acclaimed Korean director Park Chan-wook that he faints at the sight of blood. His most famous movies, "Oldboy," "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance," should collectively be titled "The Red Sea Trilogy." In "Thirst," Park's latest wacky, icky art-house fave, he has made – are you sitting down for this? – a vampire movie. Because the vampire (Song Kang-ho) is also a priest, this has misled numerous critics – not to mention the Cannes jury, which gave it their 2009 Jury Prize – into thinking the movie is Saying Something. What the film is saying, so far as I can tell, is that, if cut, you will bleed. And bleed. As the vampire's kindred Seven Deadly Sinner, wild-haired Kim Ok-vin looks like she's having a high old time. Grade: B- (Rated R for graphic bloody violence, disturbing images, strong sexual content, nudity and language.)