7/10 is my rating. This is a 2013 South Korean pandemic film. It is written and directed by Kim Sung-su. A deadly and extremely virulent flu breaks out in a suburb of Seoul. A container full of illegal immigrants is discovered in the course of rescuing traffic accident victims. A sole survivor escapes into the city. A smuggler and the infected immigrant are the source of a quick spread of a virus that kills at a high rate within 32 hours. The city breaks into chaos as evidence of virus ridden individuals is everywhere. Officials respond with quarantine and martial rule. Dr. Kim In-hae (Soo Ae) is a doctor on the front line of the virus. She is also a mother who is solely responsible for her young daughter, Kim Mi-reu (Park Min-ha). Coincidentally In-hae was in the accident that involved the illegal immigrants and was saved by Emergency worker Kang Ji-goo (Jang Hyuk). Ji-goo later delivers In-Hae’s purse to her daughter and finds Mi-reu staying alone while her mom is dealing with the virus. When Mi-reu contracts the virus, In-hae is forced to choose between the actions of a mother and those if a doctor containing a pandemic. Ji-goo finds himself enamored with the feisty and courageous doctor and her intelligent and kind daughter and helps to protect and assist them in the middle of social unrest.

Spoiler 🚨 I enjoyed this movie and it was particularly relevant as we all struggle to deal with the coronavirus. Though sensationalized and exaggerated it revealed the varying way people and authorities deal with an aggressive yet invisible threat. Some lose their humanity and start seeing fellow human beings as disease vectors. Atrocities occur as those who are able to suspend their humanity take dire action in the name of containment. Others maintain their caring and it sets up conflict between the two.

I liked this movie as it showed the range of human response in a pandemic. I also thought the depiction of conflict in dual roles causes. It was horrifying to see someone cough and slow motion magnification of the aerosol spray and the range and number of people it would “ hit”. Most of the acting was really good, particularly the leads, but there was room for improvement with the supporting cast. Overall good and entertaining.