Is Cemetery of Beautiful Women Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1985)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Cemetery of Beautiful Women, a standout production of 1985, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Mystery, Horror landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into At the end of Koryo dynastry, Hyang-seon, the daughter of Master Song, had been chosen to be the Crown Prince's wife. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Mystery, Horror are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "At the end of Koryo dynastry, Hyang-seon, the daughter of Master Song, had been chosen to be the Crown Prince's wife. Under the orders of Master Kim, Mi-kwang attacks and violates Hyang-seon on her way back from praying to Buddha. Hyang-seon kills herself. Due to this incident, both of Hyang-seon's parents are bestowed the King's poison (the death penalty). A struggle breaks out between undertaker and grave robbers over the wealthy dowry. Meanwhile, Mi-kwang asks for the hand of Ie-hwa, daughter of Master Kim. However, Mi-kwang dies because of Master Kim. Master Kim's wife dies when a snake comes out of the wedding presents and bites her. Ie-hwa is chosen to be the Crown Prince's wife. The day before she is to meet the queen, Hyang-seon's ghost appears at the house of Master Kim and has her revenge. Master Kim is killed. Now aware of the full story, Ie-hwa stands before her parent's graves and Hyang-seon's grave where she asks for Hyang-seon's forgiveness."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Kwak Eun-Kyeong provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.

The direction by Kim In-soo is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 90 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Cemetery of Beautiful Women truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Mystery, Horror, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Cemetery of Beautiful Women explores the dichotomy of fear and discovery. The 1985 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Kim In-soo respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Cemetery of Beautiful Women is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Kwak Eun-Kyeong or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Cemetery of Beautiful Women is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.