Oldboy

The 2013 American neo-noir thriller directed by Spike Lee is a remake of the 2003 South Korean film of the same name, itself based on a Japanese manga. The protagonist, Joe Doucett (Josh Brolin), is an alcoholic and unsuccessful advertising executive who one day wakes up in a locked room designed like a hotel suite, with no idea who has kidnapped him or why. For 20 years, he is held in isolation, provided with food, alcohol, and hygiene items, but given no explanation for his captivity. Through television, he learns that his ex-wife has been raped and murdered, he is the prime suspect, and their infant daughter has been adopted. During his imprisonment, Joe sobers up, trains physically, and plans his revenge. Suddenly released without explanation, he embarks on a quest to find his captor and uncover the motives behind his ordeal. Assisted by Marie Sebastian (Elizabeth Olsen), a medical clinic worker with whom he develops a romantic relationship, Joe confronts Adrian Pryce (Sharlto Copley), a mysterious billionaire responsible for his abduction, and uncovers a horrifying truth about his past, including an incestuous relationship orchestrated as part of a twisted revenge plot. The film delves into themes of guilt, redemption, and the devastating consequences of vengeance, blending elements of psychological thriller and drama. Despite its star-studded cast and Spike Lee's direction, the film received predominantly negative reviews from critics, who found it inferior to the original, and it was a box office failure, grossing only $5.2 million against a $30 million budget.