Wall to Wall: All dreams that glitter are not gold

The film constructs a tense, claustrophobic narrative that resonates with contemporary struggles but falters in its ambition to juggle too many themes. 

"Noise between floors is a human problem. Why blame the building?"

Imagine finally saving up enough to buy an apartment with all your hard-earned money. But fate keeps taunting you with its own humour, making you stumble into financial ruin, and mysterious noises from neighbouring floors. What will you do? Will you be able to keep your sanity, or will you be trapped with your cruel fate? 

In the ever-evolving world of Korean thrillers, where societal pressures often manifest as psychological torment, 'Wall to Wall' (2025) stands as a stark examination of the dreams and delusions tied to homeownership in contemporary Seoul.

The psychological thriller, originally titled '84 Jegopmiteo' (84 Square Meters), dives into the anxieties of urban life, homeownership, and societal pressures. The film constructs a tense, claustrophobic narrative but falters in its ambition to juggle too many themes. 

An overly ambitious plot

'Wall to Wall' centres on Noh Woo-sung, an ordinary office worker in his 30s, whose lifelong dream of owning an apartment in Seoul becomes a nightmarish ordeal. The story begins with Woo-sung's triumphant purchase of an 84-square-meter condo, a symbol of his hard-earned success. 

However, financial strain, coupled with mysterious disturbances, unravels his stability, plunging him into a web of paranoia and conflict. The film becomes a social commentary on economic inequality, urban isolation, and the pressures of modern life, drawing parallels to acclaimed works like 'Parasite' and 'Squid Game'.

The plot excels in its initial setup, capturing the quiet violence of urban existence, skyrocketing real estate prices, crushing debt, and the fragility of the middle-class dream. However, the story's ambition to combine psychological thriller elements with social critique leads to a cluttered second half. 

The highs and lows of an inconsistent screenplay

Director Kim Tae-joon's screenplay starts strong, crafting a narrative that feels like a pressure cooker. The early acts are tightly written, with a clear focus on Woo-sung's spiralling circumstances. The script cleverly uses everyday scenarios like neighbourly disputes and financial woes to build suspense, making the audience feel as trapped as the protagonist. 

However, the screenplay stumbles in its latter half, veering into far-fetched territory. The tonal shifts, from grounded drama to thriller, feel jarring.

The pacing, initially brisk and engaging, slows in the middle before rushing toward a chaotic climax. Some scenes feel redundant, padding the runtime unnecessarily, while others introduce ideas that don't fully integrate into the central narrative. 

The screenplay's attempt to tackle multiple themes, such as capitalism, class disparity, and personal betrayal, results in a lack of depth for any single one.

Dialogues are delivered with a naturalistic edge, capturing the characters' desperation and mistrust. However, the dialogue falters when the script shifts to more melodramatic moments. Some lines feel overly theatrical, clashing with the film's grounded tone.

Immersive cinematography 

Visually, 'Wall to Wall' is a standout, with cinematography that masterfully amplifies the story's tension. The camera work uses tight framing and muted colours to mirror Woo-sung's confinement. Drab office spaces, rain-soaked streets, and the uniform interiors of the apartment complex create a suffocating atmosphere. 

The cinematography excels in creating a sense of place, making the apartment building feel like a living, hostile entity. However, the visuals occasionally lean too heavily on repetitive motifs, such as lingering shots of walls or flickering lights. While the cinematography is a strength, it could have been more dynamic in the film's weaker second half to sustain the momentum.

The star-studded cast steals the show, particularly the lead, Kang Ha-neul. He delivers a tour-de-force performance as Woo-sung, embodying a man teetering on the edge of despair. His ability to convey both exasperation and vulnerability makes the character deeply relatable. 

Yeom Hye-ran, as the enigmatic Eun-hwa, is equally compelling, bringing a nuanced menace to her morally ambiguous character. Seo Hyun-woo, as Jin-ho, adds intensity, though his role feels underwritten at times. 

'Wall to Wall' is a film of two halves: a gripping, relatable thriller that loses its way in a maze of ideas. Kang Ha-neul's stellar performance and the evocative cinematography make it a worthwhile watch, but the uneven screenplay and tonal shifts prevent it from reaching its full potential. 

For fans of South Korean cinema or psychological thrillers, it offers enough tension to make it worth watching, but those expecting a cohesive masterpiece may leave disappointed. Lower your expectations, and you'll find moments of brilliance within its flawed walls.