The Negotiation

Laden by melodramatic turns and an exposition-heavy last act, the slack programmer never develops into the thriller it aspires to be.

The characters aren't even incompetent in a very interesting way, we just watch them bicker over very dull minutae while Tae-goo sits in the background patiently waiting for his chance to toss them more exposition.

Hyun is so good here that he threatens to steal the limelight from Son, although she is equally terrific in her role.

Despite this crime thriller's predictable storyline, stellar performances by the leads will keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's refreshing to see a woman front and center in an action thriller, and this hostage melodrama from Korea delivers on the thrills-and-spills level.