{"id":41042,"date":"2025-09-15T17:39:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T12:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/project-y-2025-review-box-office-a-gripping-heist-thriller-that-thrills-divides-and-dares-to-break-rules\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T17:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T12:09:15","slug":"project-y-2025-review-box-office-a-gripping-heist-thriller-that-thrills-divides-and-dares-to-break-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/project-y-2025-review-box-office-a-gripping-heist-thriller-that-thrills-divides-and-dares-to-break-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"Project Y 2025 Review &amp; Box Office: A Gripping Heist Thriller That Thrills, Divides, and Dares to Break Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"792\"><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><strong>Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 15:<\/strong> <\/span>From first glance,<a href=\"https:\/\/letterboxd.com\/film\/project-y\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <em data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"281\">Project Y<\/em><\/a> announces itself as more than just another crime movie. Directed by Lee Hwan, this 2025 South Korean neo-noir gem stars <strong data-start=\"402\" data-end=\"416\">Han So-hee<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"438\">Jeon Jong-seo<\/strong>, two rising forces in Korean cinema, as they attempt a daring heist in Seoul\u2019s affluent Gangnam district. The setup is ripe with tension, the promise of betrayal, and the seductive darkness of \u201cwhat if you had no choice but to break all the rules.\u201d But does <em data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"708\">Project Y<\/em> deliver on those promises, or does it occasionally get tangled in its own ambition?<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"799\" data-end=\"850\">Plot &amp; Premise: Greed, Plans, and One Last Score<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"852\" data-end=\"1449\">Mi-sun and Do-kyung are lifelong friends, each trying to claw their way out of desperation. Their dream? \u201cRetirement\u201d from grinding jobs, some peace, maybe a fresh start. But when a financial scam wipes out what little security they had, they discover a hidden store of black money and gold in Gangnam. That becomes the catalyst\u2014they bet everything on \u201cone final high-stakes gamble.\u201d As expected, things don\u2019t go smoothly. Betrayals, corruption, and violence ensue. All set under neon lights, velvet nightclubs, and the sheen (and shadow) of Gangnam\u2019s glamor.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1451\" data-end=\"1588\">Run time: about <strong data-start=\"1467\" data-end=\"1482\">110 minutes<\/strong>. Neo-noir style; high gloss visuals married to gritty storytelling.<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1647\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-54356 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PNN-2025-09-15T171321139.jpg\" alt=\"Project \" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/h4>\n<h4 data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1647\">What Works: Strengths That Shine Even in Darkness<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"3161\">\n<li data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"2032\">\n<p data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"2032\"><strong data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1677\">Star Power &amp; Chemistry: <\/strong>Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo contribute a lot more than names to the screen. Their chemistry\u2014of loyalty, ambition, and moral grays\u2014is persuasive. They make Mi-sun and Do-kyung not only sympathetic but perilously magnetic. There are times when you find yourself cheering them on, even when you know they are making the wrong decisions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2426\">\n<p data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2426\"><strong data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2064\">Visual &amp; Aesthetic Craft: <\/strong>Lee Hwan doesn\u2019t shy away from beauty. The film alternates between glitzy, high-end backdrops and grim shadows. Nightclubs, street alleys, luxury cars\u2014all rendered with precision. Cinematography (Yoo Young-gi) elevates the film beyond a typical heist movie. There\u2019s temptation in beauty here, both visually and morally.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2785\">\n<p data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2785\"><strong data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2460\">Unpredictability &amp; Tension: <\/strong>While the format is familiar, the story isn\u2019t completely predictable. Small surprises, betrayals, and heightened stakes prevent the film from being formulaic. Jarring scenes of violence, perhaps more so than some audiences may like\u2014but they reinforce the danger these characters are incurring.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2787\" data-end=\"3161\">\n<p data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"3161\"><strong data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2821\">Neo-Noir with a Female Focus: <\/strong>Two female protagonists planning a major heist is still less common in Korean crime dramas. The decision to center their friendship, their desperation, their choices\u2014this adds emotional weight beyond just action. It\u2019s not just \u201cheist movie,\u201d it\u2019s \u201cheist movie with scars, regrets, and sisterhood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"3168\" data-end=\"3217\">Where the Film Stumbles: Friction in the Gears<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"3219\" data-end=\"4630\">\n<li data-start=\"3219\" data-end=\"3529\">\n<p data-start=\"3221\" data-end=\"3529\"><strong data-start=\"3221\" data-end=\"3253\">Pacing Issues in Second Half: <\/strong>Many reviews (including those from Letterboxd and other festival watchers) note that the second act drags. Plot threads multiply, and not all are resolved cleanly. For those used to leaner thrillers, the film might feel overburdened. <span class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"><span class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"><a class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[9px] font-medium text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]! transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/letterboxd.com\/film\/project-y\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"><span class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between\"><span class=\"max-w-[15ch] grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\">Letterboxd<\/span><span class=\"-me-1 flex h-full items-center rounded-full px-1 text-[#8F8F8F]\">+1<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3531\" data-end=\"3887\">\n<p data-start=\"3533\" data-end=\"3887\"><strong data-start=\"3533\" data-end=\"3564\">Overwrought Emotional Beats: <\/strong>The inclusion of melodramatic backstories\u2014familial betrayal, childhood trauma, moral quandaries\u2014is something viewers expect in Korean cinema. But in <em data-start=\"3718\" data-end=\"3729\">Project Y<\/em>, some scenes tilt into excess, especially when juxtaposed with cold violence. Some viewers may wish for more restraint.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3889\" data-end=\"4246\">\n<p data-start=\"3891\" data-end=\"4246\"><strong data-start=\"3891\" data-end=\"3924\">Violence &amp; Disturbing Imagery: <\/strong>The film doesn\u2019t spare you. Brutal torture scenes, scenes involving drowning or mud\/tar pits used almost as psychological torture, are hard to digest. These are designed to provoke; they succeed. But there\u2019s a risk of alienating audiences who prefer their thrillers less visceral.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4248\" data-end=\"4630\">\n<p data-start=\"4250\" data-end=\"4630\"><strong data-start=\"4250\" data-end=\"4277\">Unresolved Plot Threads: <\/strong>Some reviews point out that in its ambition, <em data-start=\"4327\" data-end=\"4338\">Project Y<\/em> leaves a few narrative arcs lingering without payoff. Subplots that seem promising at first get abandoned or handled too quickly near the end. It\u2019s not fatal, but it means that after 110 minutes, you might feel you\u2019ve seen more promise than resolution.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"4637\" data-end=\"4673\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-54357 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PNN-2025-09-15T171443250.jpg\" alt=\"Project \" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/h4>\n<h4 data-start=\"4637\" data-end=\"4673\">What Viewers &amp; Critics Are Saying<\/h4>\n<ul data-start=\"4675\" data-end=\"5409\">\n<li data-start=\"4675\" data-end=\"4881\">\n<p data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"4881\">At <strong data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4693\">TIFF 2025<\/strong>, <em data-start=\"4695\" data-end=\"4706\">Project Y<\/em> premiered to generally positive reactions. Many praised the lead actors, particularly their ability to pull off both glamour and grit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4883\" data-end=\"5090\">\n<p data-start=\"4885\" data-end=\"5090\">Some critics on Letterboxd mention the film is \u201cfun in some spots but also feels longer than it should be\u201d. Others say it\u2019s an adrenaline ride with emotional weight.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5092\" data-end=\"5409\">\n<p data-start=\"5094\" data-end=\"5409\">Social media buzz has been centred around how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dreadcentral.com\/reviews\/543030\/project-y-han-so-hee-and-jeon-jong-seo-shine-in-electric-neo-noir-tiff-2025-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em data-start=\"5141\" data-end=\"5152\">Project Y<\/em> <\/a>uses the setting of Gangnam not just as a flashy backdrop, but as a character: wealth, corruption, status anxiety. Also comments like \u201cYu-sohee and Jong-seo get to do some of the best screen stuff they\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-start=\"5416\" data-end=\"5479\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-54358 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/PNN-2025-09-15T171715079.jpg\" alt=\"project\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/h4>\n<h4 data-start=\"5416\" data-end=\"5479\">PR Lens: Why <em data-start=\"5432\" data-end=\"5443\">Project Y<\/em> Matters \u2014 and How It Has to Lean In<\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"5481\" data-end=\"5547\">Seen through a PR lens, <em data-start=\"5505\" data-end=\"5516\">Project Y<\/em> is a high-stakes card. It has:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5549\" data-end=\"6148\">\n<li data-start=\"5549\" data-end=\"5789\">\n<p data-start=\"5551\" data-end=\"5789\"><strong data-start=\"5551\" data-end=\"5572\">Festival prestige<\/strong>: Premiered at <strong data-start=\"5587\" data-end=\"5595\">TIFF<\/strong> and set to appear at <strong data-start=\"5617\" data-end=\"5654\">Busan International Film Festival<\/strong>. That gives it visibility, both for art film watchers and international distribution interest.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5791\" data-end=\"6014\">\n<p data-start=\"5793\" data-end=\"6014\"><strong data-start=\"5793\" data-end=\"5822\">Cultural export potential<\/strong>: Korean cinema has been on fire globally. This film\u2018s mix of polished visuals, moral darkness, and female leads makes it well-positioned for streaming platforms hungry for prestige content.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6016\" data-end=\"6148\">\n<p data-start=\"6018\" data-end=\"6148\"><strong data-start=\"6018\" data-end=\"6041\">Star power leverage<\/strong>: Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo have become recognisable in OTT spaces; their pairing generates attention.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6150\" data-end=\"6183\"><strong>What the PR team needs to manage:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6185\" data-end=\"6673\">\n<li data-start=\"6185\" data-end=\"6365\">\n<p data-start=\"6187\" data-end=\"6365\">The film\u2019s violent, sometimes disturbing content needs careful positioning. Promotional materials may need content warnings or to make it clear that this isn\u2019t light entertainment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6507\">\n<p data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"6507\">The unresolved subplots could be spun as \u201copen to interpretation,\u201d or \u201cmore realism in messy endings,\u201d depending on how critics respond.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6509\" data-end=\"6673\">\n<p data-start=\"6511\" data-end=\"6673\">Emphasis on cinematography, the fashion, the \u201cGangnam as a character\u201d, to draw interest from visual art &amp; design communities, beyond just crime-thriller lovers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Final Verdict: Fireworks &amp; Fragments<\/h4>\n<p>If <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Project_Y_%28film%29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project Y<\/a><\/strong> were a gem, it\u2019d be an uncut diamond one: its facets are glossy as can be, but you can sense the rough edges on your fingers. It misses some of the beats sometimes, but when it doesn\u2019t\u2014but when betrayal strikes, when desperation clings in the air, when the glamour becomes toxic\u2014it strikes hard.<\/p>\n<p>For heist-thriller, crime noir, and emotionally resonant storytellers fans, Project Y is an absolute must-see. If everything having a neat bow is more your thing, or you don\u2019t care for movies that push violence and moral murk, this one may push your patience.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s that type of film that cinema requires: one that provokes, unnerves, entraps, and haunts. And despite its own shortcomings, Project Y is not easy to forget.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pnndigital.com\/category\/entertainment\/\">PNN News<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 15: From first glance, Project Y announces itself as more than just another crime movie. Directed by Lee Hwan, this 2025 South Korean neo-noir gem stars Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, two rising forces in Korean cinema, as they attempt a daring heist in Seoul\u2019s affluent Gangnam district. The setup is&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/2025\/09\/15\/project-y-2025-review-box-office-a-gripping-heist-thriller-that-thrills-divides-and-dares-to-break-rules\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Project Y 2025 Review &amp; Box Office: A Gripping Heist Thriller That Thrills, Divides, and Dares to Break Rules&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41043,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[633],"class_list":["post-41042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41042"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41042\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailynewsindia.co.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}