Watch Mouse

As a powerful drama-thriller, Mouse from 2021 dives deep into the disturbing world of psychopathy and serial killings, showing how this rare condition can affect even the most unsuspected individuals. Produced by tvN and directed by Choi Joon-bae and Kang Cheol-woo, the series stars Lee Seung-gi, Lee Hee-joon, and Park Ju-hyun in a cast that delivers chilling performances that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

The show starts with the difficult story of a young couple who, after being suddenly attacked by a psychopath, have to confront the heartbreaking consequences of their trauma. Not only they lose a child, but they also give birth to an infanticidal child themselves, whose special condition makes him a potential serial killer. Supernatural and scientific themes intertwine as the boy's father, Jung Ba-reum, played by Lee Seung-gi, becomes a police officer and gets involved in a series of gruesome crimes. From this point on, the show explores his character's development as he tries to navigate through his own psyche while dealing with the horrors of the murders he investigates.

Along with Jung Ba-reum comes another central character, Go Moo-chi, portrayed by Lee Hee-joon, an orphan that lost his parents to the same monster that haunted the protagonist's life. As a detective, he operates with fierce tenacity, but his thirst for vengeance comes at a cost that will make him suffer the same psychological struggles as Jung Ba-reum. Supporting characters like Choi Hong-joo, played by Park Ju-hyun, bring an intriguing romantic storyline into the mix, adding depth and complexity to the already stunning portrayals.

One of the most outstanding aspects of Mouse is its ability to engage with the audience and make them ponder on what is real or not. Throughout the narrative, the show presents several twists and turns that will keep the viewers hooked and entertained while they try to guess what comes next. Moreover, the storytelling device of the show is something worth noting. In Mouse, the audience is at times misled by an unreliable narrator, and the show isn't afraid to experiment with flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling. The engaging characters and their evolving relationships constitute an intrinsic part of the narrative, and the showspends a considerable amount of time exploring how everyone interacts, developing their bonds and conflicts.

The show also makes use of symbolism, where for example, a skull pattern that shows up in various places across Seoul eventually takes on a creepy significance. Such elements show the attention given to the details and their importance in the storytelling. And as the show progresses, its tense atmosphere only grows fiercer. The soundtrack is sharp, punctuated with heart-pumping music to emphasize the grim events happening on screen. From the sound of soaring violins to the ominous basslines, the music elevates the tension in every scene and contributes to immersing the audience into this eerie atmosphere.

One of the questions that intrigued audiences and made them tune into Mouse was its exploration of a scientific concept called "Psychic DNA." Although the show isn't entirely based on this concept, it works as a unifying theme that brings some science fiction into the psychological thriller. The idea of someone's genetic background predisposing them to criminal behavior is a fascinating one, and the show manages to dig deep into the concept without feeling too academic or patronizing.

Overall, Mouse is a show meticulously crafted to keep viewers engaged while exploring the complexities of human nature. More than just another crime thriller, it's a meditation on what it means to be human and the limits of our own morality. The intense character development, the numerous twists, and the show's overarching message are just a few of the elements that make it a must-watch. Whether you're looking for a psychological drama or just a great serialized thriller, Mouse is an excellent depiction of man's dark side and the power of the human mind.

Mouse is a 2022 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.6.