“Project Silence: A Disaster on the Bridge” – Tedious, Predictable, and a Waste of Star Power
The action-survival film “Project Silence” had a high budget but fell short with a shallow script. The film’s storyline is simplistic and predictable, lacking surprises for the audience.
“Project Silence” generated buzz with its star-studded cast, including Lee Sun Kyun and Ju Ji Hoon, and a budget of 18 billion won. As a survival thriller, it promised to make a big splash at the box office, aiming to replicate the success of “Train to Busan” (2016). Unfortunately, the film fails to deliver with its lackluster script, drawn-out narrative, and minimal surprises.
Predictable Script with No Highlights
Set on a long suspension bridge in Seoul—the only route to the airport—the film’s plot revolves around Cha Jung Won (Lee Sun Kyun), the Deputy Director of Security for the President’s Office. While taking his daughter Kyung Min (Kim Su Ahn) to the airport for her study abroad, they are caught in a disaster.
Thick fog descends at night, causing visibility issues and numerous collisions, trapping everyone on the bridge. Among the stranded vehicles is a military truck carrying a pack of trained dogs involved in a top-secret project. These dogs, equipped with chips, lose control and begin hunting the humans on the bridge.
As characters struggle to survive against the aggressive dogs, we follow Cha Jung Won, his daughter, truck driver Jo Pak (Ju Ji Hoon), Dr. Yang (Kim Hee Won), who supervises the secret project, and other passengers.
Director Kim Tae Gon, known for films like “The Pot” (2009), “Familyhood” (2016), and “Sunshine Boys” (2012), struggles to manage this high-budget action project effectively. The film starts promisingly with the onset of the disaster. The bridge’s setting creates suspense, with the dark surroundings, the sea, and thick fog adding to the tension. However, once the dogs are introduced, the tension dissipates. The scenarios become repetitive, making the film feel drawn-out.
Character development is insufficient. In 96 minutes, the audience has little time to connect with or empathize with the characters. While the script has creative ideas, its execution is predictable and reminiscent of previous disaster films like “The Host” (2006) and “Tsunami: The Aftermath” (2009). The “father-daughter” trope also feels overused, as seen in “Train to Busan.”
Some scenes intended to evoke tears, such as the death of an elderly couple during the disaster or the final scene of the father and daughter holding hands, fall flat. The film’s political elements are also underexplored, leading to an uninspired and anticlimactic ending.
Wasted Star Power
“Project Silence” is one of Lee Sun Kyun’s final projects before his passing at age 48. With his extensive experience, the Parasite star delivers a competent performance as the lead. Lee Sun Kyun portrays Jung Won effectively, capturing the essence of a loving father. He performs well in both action and emotional scenes, adding depth to his role through his expressions, earning the audience’s sympathy. However, the role seems relatively easy compared to his capabilities.
Ju Ji Hoon surprises with a different look, sporting long hair and playing a pragmatic, somewhat rough character who is mainly a source of comic relief. Unfortunately, his role does not make a significant impact in a survival film that demands more intensity.
Young actress Kim Soo Ahn, known for her role in “Train to Busan,” reprises a similar role as a grieving teenage girl. At times, her character’s behavior and psychological attitude are monotonous, detracting from the film’s appeal.
“Project Silence” premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in a non-competitive category. The film was praised for its investment in sets and visual effects, but its lackluster script made the survival journey of the characters feel straightforward and predictable.
Previously, several Korean films aimed for Hollywood blockbuster success with high budgets and star-studded casts, such as “Emergency Declaration” (2021), “Jung_E” (2022), and “The Drug King” (2023). However, these projects did not create a significant impact upon release.
“Project Silence” falls into the same trap. Its shallow script wastes the potential of its star-studded cast. Despite its strong visual elements and Lee Sun Kyun’s performance, the film’s unengaging story fails to make a lasting impression.
