| Native Title | 살인자 리포트 |
| Also Know as | Murder Report, Salinja Report |
| Director | Cho Young-Jun |
| Writer | Cho Young-Jun |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Korea, A2Z Entertainment |
| Air Time | Friday |
| Content Rating | 18+ Restricted (violence & profanity) |
| Runtime | 107 minutes |
| Genre | Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Psychological |
| Language | Korean |
| Country | South Korea |
| Release Date | 2025-09-05 |
“Murderer Report” (Korean: “살인자 리포트”), a 2025 South Korean thriller film, explores the high-stakes psychological battle between a journalist and a self-proclaimed serial killer. Directed by Cho Young-jun, the movie premiered in theaters on September 5, 2025, captivating audiences with its confined-space suspense and moral dilemmas.
The story follows veteran reporter Sun-joo, desperate for a scoop, who accepts an exclusive interview with psychiatrist Young-hoon, who confesses to murdering 11 people. As the interview progresses, a psychological game ensues, with Sun-joo racing to uncover the truth while Young-hoon dangles the possibility of saving his next victim. Overseen remotely by detective Sang-woo, the tense encounter blurs the lines between interviewer and interviewee.
The film unfolds in real-time during a one-on-one interview in a hotel suite, emphasizing verbal confrontations over physical action. It delves into themes of good versus evil, ambition, and the power of words, inspired by the director's observation of a child and a tiger at a zoo, symbolizing shifting power dynamics.
Released on September 5, 2025, “Murderer Report” has garnered early positive buzz, with positive rating of 7.1/10 from users. Critics and audiences praise the intense psychological showdown and strong performances.
Director Cho Young-jun drew from a zoo scene where a child views a tiger, imagining the bars shifting to create tension in confined spaces.
Cho Young-jun selected Cho Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il for their ability to portray multifaceted characters without flat good/evil impressions.
The dense, dialogue-heavy set led to a high sense of accomplishment but emotional strain, with Cho Yeo-jeong noting the project's unique challenges.
The film emphasizes verbal wounds over physical ones, likening debates to battles that reveal inner selves.
Described as a "captivating nightmare," it stimulates dopamine through anxiety, with the director suggesting viewers eat nourishing food beforehand.
“Murderer Report” aims to redefine the serial killer genre by focusing on intellectual intrigue rather than gore. It contributes to the wave of Korean thrillers exploring ethical dilemmas, potentially influencing future confined-space narratives in global cinema.
“Murderer Report” is a gripping thriller about a journalist's perilous interview with a serial killer. Its real-time psychological tension and thematic depth make it a standout for fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories.
In theaters from September 5, 2025.
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