Set in the future, whereAI technology plays a prevalent role in society, the Netflix OriginalJung_Efollows a team working to develop advanced battle AI for war. This includes Seo-hyun (Kang Soo-yeon), who oversees simulation battles where she watches over her mother (Kim Hyun-joo), whose memory was signed away to the government after she died in battle when Seo-hyun was a kid.
With the success of director Yeon Sang-ho in his early animated films andTrain to Busanlikely to be a draw for many to the movie, the remaining question is whetherJung_Eis worth watching. The movie fails to meet expectations, and many elements of the story feel underutilized and rushed, making for a slightly disappointing experience.
However,Jung_E’sapproach to the potential of AI is adequately handled and presents interesting questions about morality when it comes to our relationship with AI. Moreover, the final performance from Kang Soo-yeon is wonderfully executed and worthy of fans' attention — all the more tragic considering the actor’s untimely passing.
Ultimately, the Yeon Sang-ho film does enough to warrant a watch. To celebrate the AI-themed sci-fi action movie, we look at the best moments in Netflix’sJung_E.
10A Good Mind Is a Horrible Thing to Waste
Jung_Edoes an excellent job of using exposition to give the audience a quick rundown of how the politics of AI work and how one gets put into the system. Given adiagnosis of terminal illness, the doctor overseeing Seo-hyun gives her various options for having her memory uploaded, from the pick that allows for complete privacy and a singular AI of your visage to be created to the ‘government owns and can do whatever they want’ choice.
The divide in packages comes down to money and the disparity between classes. Notably, the film also uses this revelation to show Seo-hyun’s mother, a championed soldier for the people, ending her life in poverty, and her only option to be uploaded into AI is to give up her rights to the government.
This scene is more subtle and less sensational than the more action-heavy sequences, but it deserves note in how it both crafts the world and gives the story itsneeded dramatic edgeto push it forward.
9Standing Up for Mom
Seeing an avatar of your mother die day after day in a simulation has to take its toll, and while Seo-hyun is a dedicated worker, the turning point was inevitable. As the team behind the project tries to stimulate a different part of Jung_E’s mind, they utilize torture by shooting her up and cutting off her arm after she awakes to the horror of being a robot.
Deciding the act has gone too far, Seo-hyun pulls the plug and deactivates the AI. Despite being threatened at gunpoint, she stands her ground, making this a testament to the resolve of Seo-hyun and her desire to protect her mother. Moreover, this is the first real catalyst to push the woman against orders to save her mother from thecyclical nightmareshe is programmed to experience.
8Kick A** Intro
For fans ofsci-fi action,Jung_Eopens up on a strong note with the titular soldier blasting and stabbing her way through a horde of robots. Admittedly, this scene loses its impact as the viewer learns it is a simulation that gets re-run throughout the film. Still, for a first impression, the movie has a strong impact with sleek choreography and defined special effects. It certainly establishes Jung_E as a fierce warrior.
7Let’s Shoot it in the Leg First, You Know, For Science
Sang-Hoon (Ryu Kyung-soo) is an intriguing antagonist in the film. Not your stereotypical villain, Sang-Hoon becomes deplorable by balancing an obnoxious childlike enthusiasm, a desire to impress his bosses, and an unhinged temper. While Seo-hyun puts up with most of his antics to further build resentment, the first glance of him being entirely deplorable comes via this moment.
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In the quest for variable results from a simulation proving to become redundant, Sang-Hoon orders that Jung_E’s model get shot in the leg before being woken up. His blasé attitude and disregard for AI make him easy to hate, but the set-up is also vaguely abusive in a way that pushes him into bordering on comedic relief.
6Battle in the Skies
Thelast big showdowninJung_Edoesn’t quite have as big of an intended impact, mostly as actor Kim Hyun-joo is replaced by the skeleton of her robot, making the visceral impact and desire to see her win lessen as the uncanny valley effect takes hold. However, there are still some wonderfully executed pieces of action here. Notably, Jung_E’s battle with a score of robots as they infiltrate her passenger car from the sky makes for explosive and intense action sequences.
5"You’re the Chairman’s Little Toy"
As mentioned, Sang-Hoon is a bit of a bastard and an unlikable obnoxious antagonist, a testament to actor Ryu Kyung-soo’s skills. That said, the revelation that he is also an AI is the kind ofdark comedic twistthat catches one off guard — why would they program him like that!?
The scene in which he gets put ‘on pause’ in front of Seo-hyun is a humorous moment. However, the best part of this revelation is when Sang-Hoon finally learns the truth as to what he is, and Seo-hyun delivers the best line in the film, “You’re the chairman’s little toy.”
4Yellow Means That I am Thinking of You
The build-up of the relationship between Seo-hyun and Jung_E is gradual yet inevitable, and perhaps the most touching moments come from a revelation of what drives the battle AI program to push past its limits. Learning that the ‘mystery yellow brainwaves’ that give Jung_E that extra push in a fight arethoughts of her daughtermakes for a touching revelation.
This scene questions the morality of the program being run on Jung_E while highlighting the required disassociation from seeing her as having human traits. Before this moment, the stimulus fed to AI reactions was either fear or anger; realizing the real strength lies in identity over forced emotions is a hopeful turning point in the film.
3A Clever Escape
Theplanned-out escapeof Jung_E is rather cleverly put together, with Seo-hyun whispering directions to her subconscious mind, resulting in faking a fatal injury that would otherwise destroy her AI memory. Seeing the two work together to meet this goal and that moment when Jung_E shakes the facade to escape her captors is a rewarding payoff. Moreover, this escape leads directly into the best action sequence in the film…
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2Clone Fight
After obtaining freedom, Jung_E still has to fight her way out of the facility that houses her. Unfortunately, the facility has the best resource to stop the ultimate solider… more Jung_E’s. Three of her clones bearing just the skeletal structure are dispatched to take out the escapee, and an all-out fight for survival takes place in a room full of empty shells of the battle AI.
If you are to point to one action sequence to exemplify how well choreographed and shot these scenes are, this sequence is an easy choice. It has everything you want: big hits, close calls, and an explosive finish.
Jung_E’s freedom and the implication she can now right her future is an ideal way to frame the film’s closing moments. The fight to get to this point, the sacrifices made by Seo-hyun are all worth it, knowing that Jung_E now has the power to write her future.
Simultaneously, the ending leaves the open question of what comes next without trying to lead the viewer into the idea of there needing to be a sequel —a perfect endoffering limitless possibilities.
