Netflix's 'Revelations': Ratings and Reviews Collection

Released exclusively on Netflix on March 21, 2025, director Yeon Sang-ho's new film 'Revelations' combines psychological thriller and occult mystery elements, generating diverse reactions from critics and audiences worldwide.

Film Overview

'Revelations' is the latest work from director Yeon Sang-ho, who expanded the horizons of Korean genre films with 'Train to Busan' and 'Hellbound.' The project garnered global attention with Alfonso Cuarón, Academy Award-winning director of 'Roma' and 'Gravity,' serving as executive producer.

The plot follows Pastor Sung Min-chan (Ryu Jun-yeol) who, believing he has received divine revelation, pursues ex-convict Kwon Yang-rae (Shin Min-jae) whom he suspects of kidnapping his son. Meanwhile, detective Lee Yeon-hee (Shin Hyun-bin), investigating a disappearance case while haunted by visions of her dead sister, discovers a strange connection between the pastor and the suspect.

Ratings and Review Summary

'Revelations' has received varied ratings and reviews. While generally positive, some critics have expressed reservations.

Positive Ratings

A grade: "Yeon Sang-ho's visual precision deserves big-screen treatment, and his visual poetic sensibility is unmatched."
A- grade: "One of the most impressive films of the year, leaving powerful reflections on whether our choices are truly our own through two outstanding central performances."
3.5/5: "The Korean film 'Revelations' effectively portrays most of its brutal scenes and shakes you from beginning to end."

Neutral Ratings

6/10: "Yeon Sang-ho's 'Revelations' (2025) is a generally decent film. The acting and visual elements carry most of the film's weight."
3/5: "The highlight of the film is the intense one-take confrontation scene between Min-chan, Yang-rae, and Yeon-hee."

Critical Ratings

C grade: "'Revelations' is Yeon Sang-ho's attempt to deliver a story pushed almost to the limits of thought in a new way, resulting in a complex yet clumsy adaptation."
2/5: "While Yeon Sang-ho pursues a more realistic and factual tone than his previous genre works, 'Revelations' falls victim to the same unstable logic and weak plot that have plagued his recent works."
1.5/4: "A heavy work lacking narrative momentum."

Critics' Perspectives

Positive Reviews

A Brunch blogger noted: "Revelations, glad to see Director Yeon Sang-ho return to his early work atmosphere!" They evaluated it as a live-action film that captures the sensibility of his early animation works.

YouTube reviewer Ko Tae-il enthusiastically praised: "He maintained Director Yeon Sang-ho's distinctive style while creating relatable material" and declared it "the best among Yeon Sang-ho's works."

Critical Reviews

A Cineplay reviewer pointed out that "the film focuses on the characters' inner worlds and choices rather than the flow of events," but criticized that "the process appears too much like a designed experiment."

A Brunch reviewer expressed disappointment with Ryu Jun-yeol's performance: "Everything was good but the prayer scenes didn't feel authentic for a pastor. He's an amazing actor but that part was slightly disappointing."

International Critics' Views

Inverse's reviewer stated: "Revelations is a psychological thriller that's much more realistic without threatening humanity's existence. However, the title is very appropriate."

NextBestPicture's reviewer noted: "Within the first few minutes of 'Revelations,' Yeon Sang-ho instills the sense of dread that typically operates in this kind of thriller."

Key Themes of the Work

'Revelations' is praised for its delicate portrayal of complex emotional lines including faith, guilt, and madness. Director Yeon Sang-ho has consistently explored the collision between religious beliefs and human psychology since 'Train to Busan,' and in 'Revelations,' he directly examines personal religious doubts.

A Cineplay reviewer analyzed: "He attempts to deconstruct the essence of faith more directly than in his previous works," adding that "he emphasizes the duality of faith by showing how personal belief can be corrupted within the context of real-world interests."

Technical Aspects

Reviewer Ko Tae-il highly praised the film's technical aspects: "With Shin Hyun-bin, there were many directorial choices showing her sister as a ghost, and especially when Shin Hyun-bin was in conflict, the facial tracking direction created dreamlike and confusing elements."

Overall Assessment

YOARC's reviewer gave it "7 out of 10," recommending it as "a film worth watching for those looking for a thriller on Netflix."

These diverse evaluations show that 'Revelations' is a polarizing work among audiences. While Yeon Sang-ho's unique directorial style and deep thematic exploration received praise from many, some found the somewhat heavy development and complex plot disappointing.

Overall, 'Revelations' is a more intimate and psychological thriller compared to Yeon Sang-ho's large-scale apocalyptic works like 'Train to Busan' or 'Hellbound,' eliciting varied responses from international critics.

Keywords: Yeon Sang-ho, Revelations, Netflix, psychological thriller, occult, Ryu Jun-yeol, Shin Hyun-bin, Korean film, religious faith, Alfonso Cuarón, film reviews, supernatural elements, one-take scene, divine revelation, psychological horror

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