“Being handsome feels wrong”: A fun horror comedy that strikes a chord
In the horror comedy film Handsome Guys, two brothers are mistaken for psychopathic killers due to their unattractive appearance, bringing laughter and suspense when watching. Directed by Nam Dong Hyub, the film is a remake of the 2010 Canadian and American-produced film Tucker & Dale vs Evil. The plot revolves around Kang Jae Pil (played by Lee Sung Min) and Kang Sang Gu (played by Lee played by Hee Joon), humorous people who call themselves “handsome guys”.
One day, the two brothers decided to leave the city for a peaceful life in the countryside. But they encountered difficulties from the first day they arrived at their new house, they accidentally awakened a phenomenon. supernatural in the basement, leading to a series of funny and sad situations.
The perfect blend of comedy, horror and suspense
Handsome Guys seamlessly combines elements of comedy, horror and thriller. The highlight of the film is the character development, in which Jae Pil and Sang Gu are portrayed as rough-looking but kind people who like to clean. When she encountered Mina (played by Gong Seung Yeon), she mistakenly thought they were murderers due to their unattractive appearance.
After rescuing Mina by the lake, the two brothers were even more misunderstood by Mina’s friends as “psychotic kidnappers”. This sets off a chain of events in which Mina’s friends attempt revenge on the brothers, leading to several accidental deaths within the group—from being stabbed by tree branches to unfortunate encounters with wood chipper.
What initially looks like a dream house turns into a nightmare for the Kang brothers when they find themselves in a life-threatening situation. Despite the chaos, they remained positive and united, finding their way through the challenges. The film cleverly uses these characters to critique social biases as well as the superficial judgments people often make based on appearance. The Kang brothers have a rough exterior but have a gentle heart, a complete contrast to the attractive but selfish students.
The film’s cast, from main roles to supporting roles, all delivered perfect performances. In particular, Lee Sung Min and Lee Hee Joon shined in their roles, conveying humor to the film through witty dialogue and expressive facial acting. In scenes that require emotional depth, their nuanced acting evokes sympathy from the audience.
Gong Seung Yeon portrays Mina effectively, displaying a mixture of innocence and bravery in her actions. Park Ji Hwan and Lee Kyu Hyung, who play police investigators, add to the drama’s entertainment value with their humor about the case at the Kang brothers’ house.
The film’s visual effects and sound design are meticulously crafted, enhancing the realism of horror elements without relying heavily on jumpscares. The limited use of jump scares allows the film to maintain a unique rhythm similar to the original Tucker and Dale vs Evil. In addition to retaining the scenes that interested the audience in the original film, the screenwriter created a number of details suitable for Korean culture, while also condemning the abuse of stimulants by a part of young people.
Critics praised Handsome Guys for its humor and successful adaptation. Korea Herald’s humorous element is the highlight of the work. Even for audiences unfamiliar with the original, Handsome Guys offers a fresh and faithful interpretation of the original. The Korea Times added that Lee Sung Min and Lee Hee Joon’s performances significantly contributed to the film’s success, providing a multifaceted portrayal of their characters.
Although it has its strengths, the film still has some shortcomings. The horror element is somewhat underdeveloped, sometimes causing the plot to lose tension and suspense. Additionally, background music can be more impactful in setting the tone for different scenes.
According to Korea Joo Ang Daily, Handsome Guys ranks in the top 5 highest-grossing movies in Korea this year. Since its release in late June, the film has attracted 1.77 million viewers, cementing its position as a box office success.
