Hill of Freedom (2020): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Hill of Freedom is a 2020 drama directed by Sang-soo Hong, starring Young-hwa Seo as Kwon, Ryo Kase and Ju-bong Gi. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes and earned $300,842 worldwide. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- Sang-soo Hong
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Korean
- Studio
- Bitters End
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hill of Freedom About?
The premise of Hill of Freedom without spoilers.
Escaping to a peaceful mountain retreat, Kwon finds herself drawn back into the turmoil of the city. There, she’s flooded with memories triggered by mysterious letters written by Mori. His romantic proposal echoes as an unresolved question, and she must piece together the timeline of their relationship. As the past and present intertwine, the film offers a poignant look at the intricacies of love and loss.
Hill of Freedom Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- letter
- sleeping together
- dinner
- dinner invitation
- dog
- nonlinear timeline
- japanese
- south korea
- cafe
- reading a letter
- kiss
- man in a bed
+10 more Show fewer
- woman in a bed
- bed
- korea
- written by director
- locked in a bathroom
- locked in
- cigarette smoking
- cake
- restaurant
- voice over
Hill of Freedom Cast & Characters
Young-hwa Seo leads the cast as Kwon, with Ryo Kase as Mori and Ju-bong Gi as Byung-Joo. Directed by Sang-soo Hong; 8 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Sang-soo Hong
- Young-hwa Seo as Kwon
-
Ryo Kase as Mori -
Ju-bong Gi as Byung-Joo -
Eui-sung Kim
Also Starring in Hill of Freedom
· 4 moreHill of Freedom Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hill of Freedom 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Hill of Freedom Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Hill of Freedom offers a subtly engaging but modestly substantial cinematic experience. The film’s artful structure and understated visual style draw praise for their ingenuity, while narrative coherence and pacing receive more reserved responses. Character portrayals are noted for their nuanced humor but occasionally feel emotionally detached. The sensory presentation, including camera movement and aesthetic choices, is generally appealing but restrained. On balance, the film’s compact length and modest dramatic depth yield a moderately positive yet tempered impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, Hill of Freedom demonstrates consistent directorial finesse and inventive editing. The cinematography employs measured camera movements and an understated color palette that complement the film’s compact structure. Production design remains minimal yet coherent, supporting the narrative’s intimate focus. However, some observers note occasional lapses in visual cohesiveness that underscore the film’s lightweight ambitions. Overall, the artistry conveys subtle elegance but stops short of scope.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, the film delivers nuanced performances with tongue-in-cheek humor and quiet introspection. Actors convey longing and cultural dissonance through restrained gestures, highlighting interpersonal awkwardness. At times, emotional depth feels muted, particularly in the lead’s stiff demeanor, which limits full resonance. Nonetheless, the interplay of friendship and romantic tension maintains engagement. Overall, character dynamics contribute a modest but appreciable emotional grounding.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, Hill of Freedom presents an inventive non-linear structure that intrigues with narrative reshuffling. Pacing is brisk across its 66-minute runtime, though some find the plot underserviced by its brevity and deliberate segmentation. Originality shines in the film’s allegorical approach to cultural exchange, but the coherence occasionally falters under self-conscious playfulness. Overall, the storyline offers mild intellectual stimulation but stops short of deeper narrative satisfaction.
- Sensory Experience 72
When assessing sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design provide subtle support to its reflective tone. Ambient audio cues and understated musical motifs underscore moments of cultural tension and humor without overwhelming visuals. Visually, the movie adopts a restrained aesthetic with clear framing and natural lighting that fosters an intimate atmosphere. While effective, the sensory palette rarely surprises. Overall, the technical elements create a cohesive but reserved sensory impression.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Regarding rewatch factor, Hill of Freedom’s concise length and light emotional footprint make it approachable for repeat viewings. Viewers may appreciate discovering subtle narrative connections and cultural juxtapositions on subsequent watches. However, the film’s deliberate structural play and limited dramatic stakes may diminish long-term appeal. Overall, while certain thematic nuances emerge over time, the modest depth and brevity confine its lasting replay value.
-
IMDb 6.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 58%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Hill of Freedom Box Office
Hill of Freedom grossed $300,842 worldwide. $72,476 came from the US and Canada and $228,366 (76%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$300.8K
- US & Canada
- $72.5K
- International
- $228.4K
Seen Hill of Freedom?
Movies Like Hill of Freedom
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Hill of No Return, Moonlit Winter and The Hill of Secrets.
Hill of Freedom FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Hill of Freedom, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hill of Freedom?
Hill of Freedom runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was Hill of Freedom released?
Hill of Freedom was released on June 12, 2020.
Who directed Hill of Freedom?
Hill of Freedom was directed by Sang-soo Hong.
More films by Sang-soo Hong Who is in the cast of Hill of Freedom?
Hill of Freedom stars Young-hwa Seo as Kwon, Ryo Kase as Mori and Ju-bong Gi as Byung-Joo, among 8 credited actors.
How much did Hill of Freedom make at the box office?
Hill of Freedom grossed $300,842 worldwide ($72,476 domestic, $228,366 international).
How is Hill of Freedom rated?
Hill of Freedom has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Hill of Freedom have a post-credit scene?
No. Hill of Freedom has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Hill of Freedom in?
The original language of Hill of Freedom is Korean.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
