“Paradise Lost” has an intriguing premise for a psychological thriller that weaves together a missing child, artificial intelligence and a mother’s grief. The narrative centers on So-young, whose son, Sun-woo, disappears during a school camping trip. Nine years pass, and unable to let go, she discovers an AI programme that lets her interact with a virtual version of her son. The situation becomes complicated when Sun-woo unexpectedly returns as a teenager.
Kim Hyun-joo delivers a standout performance as So-young, conveying the complex emotions of a mother clinging to memories of her lost child, only to confront someone she no longer recognizes. The tension between them forms a compelling part of the narrative. The film explores worthwhile themes around using AI to process grief and the emotional bonds people form with digital versions of their loved ones. It also attempts to examine nature versus nurture through Sun-woo’s character, adding depth to the story.
In our opinion, for a psychological thriller, the movie however surprisingly lacks tension to hold viewers’ attention, and at 101 minutes, tighter editing would have helped considerably. The mystery around Sun-woo resolves too predictably. His identity as the serial killer becomes obvious fairly early, which deflates much of the suspense. The story could have benefited from additional twists or a less straightforward direction.
The AI element also deserves more exploration in our opinion. The concept of a mother remaining emotionally attached to a digital version of her son even after his return is genuinely fascinating, yet the film barely delves into the psychological ramifications. This potentially rich storyline ends up feeling underdeveloped.
“Paradise Lost” brings an engaging concept to the screen, with Kim Hyun-joo’s performance standing out as its best asset. It raises provocative questions about grief, AI and human nature, but predictable plotting and underdeveloped storylines prevent it from reaching its full potential. The film had the ingredients for something truly compelling, but we think it ultimately falls short.
“Paradise Lost” is available from 1st October in Singapore at Shaw Theatres.
KAvenyou would like to thank Shaw Theatres for the invite to the movie preview of “Paradise Lost”!
Review by: XY@KAvenyou
