Troll Factory

Ahn Gooc-jin's "Troll Factory" is a film adaptation of the 2015 novel "Daetgeulboodae" (The Comments Army) by Chang Kang-myoung, a work based on real-life events of online public opinion manipulation in South Korea. It is a gripping and highly relevant thriller that plunges viewers into the unsettling world of online opinion manipulation. The film excels in its fast-paced and intricate narrative, which feels both like a docu-drama and a cyber-noir. Son Suk-ku delivers a compelling performance as the disgraced journalist, but the film's true strength lies in the dynamic and unsettling performances of the trio of young actors (Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Dong-hwi, and Hong Kyung) who portray the "commenting squad." Their chemistry is palpable, adding a layer of authenticity to the chillingly plausible operations they perform. "Troll Factory" brilliantly visualizes the blurred lines between truth and fiction on the internet, creating a suspenseful and thought-provoking experience that is unsettling precisely because it feels so real.

Critics have often highlighted the film's timely and important subject matter, noting its realistic portrayal of how online narratives are shaped and manipulated. The strong performances, particularly from the younger cast, have been praised for making the film's central premise feel grounded and believable. Some critics, however, have noted that the film's ending might feel a bit anticlimactic or open-ended, which can be frustrating for viewers seeking a clear resolution. This deliberate ambiguity is seen by others as a strength, mirroring the difficulty of finding a definitive "truth" in the digital age.

Is it worth watching? Yes, it is worth watching. "Troll Factory" is a taut and intelligent thriller that is both entertaining and genuinely unsettling. Its relevance to our modern, digitally saturated lives makes it a compelling and important film, especially for those interested in crime, journalism, and the darker side of the internet.

Crowdturfing, especially when it is used politically, is the problem that is rotting the society from the very core, spreading so fast and so wide, invading all aspects of the society, dividing it from all angles, and hiding and transforming its form at its will. Even talking about Samsung's involvement in Internet rigging could not have been easy for the director and the producers. One of the bravest topics that a Korean movie can ever choose.

Editing and the style of the movie is trendy and unique, and they increase the sense of reality as well. Comments and replies are written and shown in the same structure and style as they are in real Internet forum sites.

The only but noticeable shortcoming is that the story is too linear but too tangled at the same time. It feels fragmented and elongated at the same time. The plot needs to be trimmed more delicately. The ending is hasty.

There's always something grappling and intriguing about Korean cinema, especially from the seasoned actors and actresses. It's a great escape from the Hollywood preaching, politics, hedonism and the message. As such I'm well invested in the Korean filmscape and find myself a critic when necessary within my mind. Troll Factory is a very well laid out film, with great pacing, acting and a powerful story, however it feels like it feeds you so much ingredients, with a chef by your side and then says - now you cook. Huh!!

The story is said to be based on true events as such I totally understand the narrative ending the way it did, since it's most likely still unfolding in real life and probably would never end (the corruption of the world can't end till Jesus comes I think), but I was almost wishing they added fiction just to make it more - erm, cinema.

That said I like it. The subject matter is sensitive (I don't know if I really care), the acting and directing is great, feels like a passion project with intent on passing a conscious narrative to it's society, but it just kinda ended.