The Lunchbox (2013) isn’t your typical love story. In fact, I’d argue it’s not a love story at all—it’s a pre-love story, the kind that shows how two people, broken in different ways, can find comfort in each other’s company without necessarily ending up together.
Asian thrillers have a unique way of lulling you into a sense of comfort before delivering twists that leave you breathless. By grounding horror and suspense in the relatable, these stories turn ordinary moments into nightmares, making the unexpected even scarier. For those who love exploring the dark side of human nature, here are 10 must-watch Asian thrillers on Netflix that will have you hooked from the first episode.
Did you know that some of Hollywood’s most beloved films—like Inception, Reservoir Dogs, and The Lion King—were actually inspired by (or outright copied from) Asian films? We’re not talking about official remakes with proper licensing and credit. These are cases where Hollywood took themes, stories, and even entire scenes and passed them off as their own. Here are 10 Hollywood films that bear striking similarities to Asian originals.
Published April 16, 2025
Film Review
The Isle (2000): A Visceral Dive into Silence, Chaos, and Survival
A Film That Crossed the Line—Literally and Figuratively
Kim Ki-duk’s The Isle isn’t just a movie—it’s a test of endurance. Banned in multiple countries, the film gained notoriety for its explicit sexual content, graphic nudity, and violent scenes, including one where internal organs are pulled out of a still-living person. At its Venice Film Festival screening, it was reported that audience members fainted or vomited from the intensity of what they saw. Naturally, that kind of reaction only piques more curiosity.
Plot Summary: Silence, Routine, and Disruption
The story revolves around Hee-jin, a mute woman who manages a quiet fishing resort.
Guests rent floating cottages, and Hee-jin takes them to and from the cabins by boat. Aside from being a caretaker, she also acts as a middleman for sex workers—and sometimes offers herself with a chilling emotional detachment.
Her mundane, emotionless world is shaken when a fugitive named Kim Yoo-seok arrives.
Their toxic, obsessive relationship becomes the catalyst for a series of disturbing and emotionally raw events. Kim’s arrival disrupts the delicate balance Hee-jin has created, forcing her to choose between the silence she’s known and the chaos he brings.
The Metaphor of Fishing
Fishing in this film is more than just a backdrop—it’s a metaphor. Just like fish lured by bait, the characters are drawn by desire and need, even when they know it will destroy them. It’s a commentary on human nature: we chase what we want, fully aware it might be our undoing.
Visuals and Direction: Raw, Quiet, and Haunting
Kim Ki-duk is known for minimalism. Dialogue is scarce, allowing silence and cinematography to carry the emotional weight. The film harks back to the silent movie era, where storytelling relied on visuals, not words.
There’s no flashy camerawork or stylized effects here. Instead, the natural setting—a foggy lake, floating cottages, and gray skies—becomes a character in itself. It’s haunting, raw, and strangely beautiful.
Explicit but Purposeful
While the film contains disturbing sexual and violent scenes, none of them feel gratuitous. Unlike movies where such content is excessive and drawn out, The Isle uses these moments to develop its story and characters. Everything serves a purpose. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s not mindless shock value.
The Controversial Scene That Crossed a Line
One moment, however, is difficult to defend. A scene involving real harm to a dog was confirmed by the director to be genuine.
This revelation understandably sparked backlash. While some argue it added realism or weight to the story, many agree it crossed an ethical boundary.
Animals cannot consent, and using real violence for cinematic impact raises uncomfortable questions about artistic responsibility.
To Watch or Not to Watch?
That depends on your threshold for discomfort.
If you're drawn to raw, experimental cinema that doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of the human experience, The Isle might be worth your time. But if you’re sensitive to animal cruelty or extreme imagery, this film is likely not for you.
Does Art Serve Itself or the World?
The Isle reignites a long-standing debate—should art be judged solely on artistic merit, or does it have a responsibility to the world it reflects? Kim Ki-duk doesn’t offer an answer. He simply tells the story, and leaves the audience to decide what to take from it.
In the end, The Isle is a brutal, beautiful, and polarizing film—one that’s hard to forget, for better or worse.
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There Is No Evil is a deeply moving Iranian film that not only tells a poignant story but also sheds light on the painful history of state-sponsored executions in Iran. The film had to be smuggled out of the country, and while it may sound like a controversial or explicit topic, there's actually no nudity or sex scenes involved. Yet, the raw emotion and powerful message are impossible to ignore.