This film was Chan-wook’s first venture into English-language media, though you may recognize his name from films such as Oldboy or The Handmaiden. Stoker centers around the story of eighteen-year-old India Stoker, whose father has just passed away in a mysterious car accident and whose uncle has returned from a decade-long absence. As India’s relationship with her uncle begins to change, growing from awkward to explicitly sexual, she also begins to discover the truth of her uncle’s, and her father’s, past. As the two grow increasingly close, India begins to shed the innocence of her childhood and engage in increasingly violent and depraved acts, at first to those who have wronged her, and later on, innocents. But will India confront her uncle for what he may have done many years ago, or will she follow him down the path of psychopathy?
That last sentence questions the thematic dilemma of the film. Chan-wook’s storytelling emphasizes the importance of fate versus free will and asks the audience to consider whether or not the two are mutually exclusive. The film also comments on many aspects of American culture, ranging from the obsession with youth to capitalism, both of which Lauren and Brandon pay special attention to in this podcast. We hope you can join us for our discussion of Stoker!
P.S. Our episode will soon be up on Spotify at this link!:
