Parents' Guide to Memories of Murder

Parents need to know that Memories of Murder is a gripping, but violent Korean crime drama, directed by Bong Joon-ho, with adult themes and images that could potentially upset viewers. There are few positive messages or role models, with even the detectives -- headed up by Detective Park Doo-man (Kang-ho Song) -- who are chasing a violent murderer and rapist, resorting to reprehensible acts. These include forcing statements out of potential suspects with violence and torture, one of whom is disabled. There are a number of upsetting images of female corpses, sometimes covered in blood. Some of the crimes themselves are depicted, including women being gagged and strangled. The nature of the crimes is openly discussed, and a scene in a morgue includes items being recovered from inside the dead victim's body. There is a graphic shot of a man being hit and killed by a train and one man stabs another in the leg during a bar fight. Two characters are seen having sex, but the camera remains behind them and there is no nudity. In another scene, a man is shown masturbating in a public place, over women's underwear. The language is strong, with several uses of "f--k" and explicit threats such as "cut your d--k off." The derogatory term "retarded" is also used. People can be seen smoking and drinking throughout the film, and in one sequence a man is so drunk he seems to pass out before waking up and throwing up.

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