“Final Interview” starts with an intriguing premise – six job applicants, one position, two hours, and a collection of mysterious envelopes that threaten to expose everyone’s darkest secrets. What begins as a seemingly straightforward final interview gradually descends into psychological warfare, as alliances shift, suspicions mount and the candidates begin questioning everything they thought they knew about one another.
The film does a reasonably good job of keeping its audience guessing. Several mini-cliffhangers and unexpected plot twists are woven into the narrative, providing just enough intrigue to sustain interest and make you curious about what might happen next. The acting is also a definite strength of the movie. The performances are credible across the ensemble, with Cho Yi-hyun particularly convincing as the female lead.
However, the film’s biggest weakness lies in its character development. We are introduced to six individuals, each with their own personalities and apparent motivations, but the film doesn’t spend enough time establishing who they are before throwing them into the chaos. As a result, it is difficult for us, the audience, to become emotionally invested in any of them.
This becomes particularly apparent towards the later half of the film. While the revelations do unravel the various mysteries, the eventual payoff feels somewhat underwhelming. Some of the plot developments come across as contrived, with information seemingly withheld to manufacture suspense and facilitate the next twist. I found that at times, the characters also feel as though they have been constructed to serve the plot rather than behaving like fully realised individuals. The underlying motivation behind the elaborate sabotage is also difficult to find entirely convincing. Ultimately, the stakes feel disproportionate to what is at the centre of the conflict, which is a job opportunity at the company.
The film does, however, raise an interesting question about human nature and the way we perceive others. People are rarely as straightforward as they first appear. Someone who initially comes across as unpleasant or morally questionable may be viewed quite differently once their circumstances and motivations are revealed. In a competitive environment such as a job interview where everyone is conscious of how they present themselves, the distinction between one’s public persona and private self becomes particularly interesting. The film explores how quickly we judge others, often on the basis of incomplete information, and how easily those judgments can be manipulated.
Ultimately, “Final Interview” is an entertaining enough watch, with a premise that lends itself naturally to suspense and a cast that delivers credible performances. Unfortunately, it never quite develops the emotional depth needed to make its twists truly consequential. It keeps you guessing, but doesn’t necessarily make you care about the answers.
Do catch “Final Interview” from 12 November in Singapore cinemas!
KAvenyou would like to thank PurplePlanSG for the invite to the movie preview of “Final Interview”!
Review by: Alison@KAvenyou
