something enjoyable to view on Netflix and various streaming platforms can be an overwhelming endeavor if you’re uncertain about your preferences. You’re faced with yet another seemingly unending scrolling experience, searching for that ideal treasure to suit your evening mood, anxious about pressing play on something that initially grabs your attention, fearing there might be something superior waiting just ahead. It becomes even more frustrating to open your streaming applications in pursuit of a specific title, only to find out that none of your subscriptions carry it. The latter situation pertains to “The Age of Shadows,” a 2016 espionage thriller boasting a flawless Rotten Tomatoes rating, which is not accessible to stream in the U.S. as of this moment.
The creation of Kim Jee-woon (writer and director), who is recognized for “The Good, the Bad, the Weird” (2008) and “The Last Stand” (2013), “The Age of Shadows” is a period drama that highlights significant occurrences in Korea’s past that may deeply connect with a broader audience in Korea. It narrates the tale of a faction of Korean resistance fighters combating the Japanese occupation during the 1920s, along with the ethical quandaries faced by those Koreans who cooperated with the new authority.
This narration may be unfamiliar to Western audiences who have not delved into the Japanese-Korean historical context surrounding the Second World War period. However, if you substitute Korea and Japan with France and Germany while keeping the timeframe, you’re likely to arrive at a historical war narrative that’s more recognizable to Western viewers. Incorporate the action sequences that Jee-woon is famous for, and “The Age of Shadows” transforms into a film that cinephiles may wish to stream, particularly those acquainted with his creations. For instance, Jee-woon’s action-laden “The Last Stand” features Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger.