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Dark, twisty, violent tale of amnesia and murder.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

A person can forget memorable events if they are e

A seemingly good man may have done something terri

A man is beaten up and kidnapped. Flashbacks show

A former prostitute plays a role in catching a cri

"F--k," "s--t," "bastard," "pr--k," and "bitch."

A man takes medication for anxiety. A man commits

Parents need to know that Forgotten is a South Korean psychological thriller/sci-fi/ horror/murder mystery. That may sound confusing, but it covers all the genres that play a part in this frequently scary and violent film. Shifting points of view and changing information alter the audiences' understanding of…

Positive Messages

A person can forget memorable events if they are extremely traumatic.

Positive Role Models

A seemingly good man may have done something terrible in his past when he was under terrible pressure. Another seemingly good man appears to have had a similar experience.

Violence & Scariness

A man is beaten up and kidnapped. Flashbacks show someone being tortured. A bloody murder scene is shown. A family is devastated by a terrible car crash. Other cars crash and cause injury. A man is hit by a truck. A man commits suicide by lethal injection.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A former prostitute plays a role in catching a criminal.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A man takes medication for anxiety. A man commits suicide by lethal injection. Adults smoke cigarettes.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Forgotten is a South Korean psychological thriller/sci-fi/ horror/murder mystery. That may sound confusing, but it covers all the genres that play a part in this frequently scary and violent film. Shifting points of view and changing information alter the audiences' understanding of who is a good guy and who is bad, and kidnapping, murder, suicide, and torture are all seen and described. Adults smoke cigarettes and curse regularly, using language including "f--k," "s--t," "bastard," "pr--k," and "bitch." The film is in Korean with well-written English subtitles. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (3)

Based on 1 parent review

Wonderfull... Just Love It.

What's the story.

Nothing is as it first seems in FORGOTTEN, called Night of Memory in Korean. Is the happy family a happy family? Is the good guy really good? Is the bad guy really bad? A South Korean family moves to a new home. The previous owner has requested no one enter a particular room until further instructions. The horror genre is evoked when disconcerting noises emanate from the room. Are they caused by something supernatural? Why is younger brother Jin-seok (Kang Ha-neul) the only one who seems curious or worried about the mysterious goings-on? His admired older brother Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol) is kidnapped before his eyes, but the police don't seem that interested and no ransom is sought. When Yoo-seok returns weeks later, he has no memory of the abduction, but he seems different, sinister. Younger brother Jin-seok takes anxiety medication and has terrible nightmares in which his beloved and revered older brother is a criminal who is torturing him, even trying to kill him. The story that unfolds involves a cold-case unsolved murder, traumatic amnesia, insurance fraud, fatal car accidents, psychological role-playing, hypnosis, and kidnapping. Two seemingly good men are swept up in events beyond their control and seemingly turn bad, but even that's not certain.

Is It Any Good?

This thriller gets off to a galloping start and could easily become a cult classic. Director Jang Hang-jun switches genres and moods effortlessly, twisting the plot back and forth in time, moving from believability to disbelief-suspending with a steady hand. Even when Forgotten feels as if the latest turn seems incredible and the story may be losing its through-line, Jang Hang-jun snaps the narrative back onto his carefully drawn map dictating the bizarre journey this movie is built to take us on. For example, given the sloppiness of a barely planned murder, it seems inconceivable that the crime goes unsolved for decades. So, yes, there are shaky plot points, but the heart and empathy this movie is ultimately based on emerges at the end even if "happily ever after" cannot be achieved. Kids and younger teens will almost certainly be frightened by chases, torture, and bloody murder scenes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the way Forgotten manipulates the audience's perceptions about its characters. What are some of the ways that movies identify bad guys as distinct from good guys? How does this movie use those standards to confuse viewers?

What do you think the filmmaker is trying to say about preconceived notions and prejudices? Does he suggest that even the worst of us may have good reasons for being the way we are? Does that excuse bad behavior and crime?

How do you feel about the elements that first lead us to believe this may be a horror film, then suggest it's a murder mystery, and then a thriller? Can you identify how the filmmaker achieves those effects?

What does the movie say about the role unforeseen circumstances can play in our lives?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : February 21, 2018
• Cast : Kang Ha-neul , Kim Mu-yeol , Moon Sung-geun
• Director : Jang Hang-jun
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Drama
• Run time : 108 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : April 28, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Forgotten – Netflix Review (4/5)

Posted by Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard | Feb 22, 2018 | 3 minutes

Forgotten is a new Korean thriller on Netflix and it should blow your mind. Twists and turns from start to finish, this is a perfect beast of a thriller!

Still, just watch this version. And for the love of all that is good and pure, watch in in Korean. Read the damn subtitles and forget about dubbing.

Sure, we do love Korean horror and thriller movies here at Heaven of Horror . But still, Forgotten should hit the spot for most movie lovers.

You can watch the trailer for Forgotten right here or continue reading our review below.

A story within a story

Forgotten features quite a few stories. Not only is there a story within the story, we also get to experience certain elements from more than one character.

The main protagonist is Jin-Seok and as such, we do follow him from beginning to end. However, there are various plot twists that allow for more than one point of view. I can’t really get into it here, but trust me, you will not be bored.

So put the damn phone down and watch the movie. Yet another reason to make sure you watch it in Korean and read the subtitles. Lots of things also happen with non-verbal communication, so stay alert.

• Invasive – Tubi Review (3/5) - May 10, 2024
• The Courier – Netflix Review (3/5) - May 10, 2024
• Trinil – Netflix Review (2/5) - May 9, 2024

About The Author

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!

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Movie review: 'forgotten' (2017).

It Begins...

Rating: 8.5/10, post a comment.

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, 'the forgotten' far from memorable drama.

Now streaming on:

Warning: This review contains spoilers. If it didn't, I can think of no way to review it at all, short of summarizing the first three minutes and then telling you some very strange stuff happens. My advice: If you plan to see the film (which I do not recommend), hold the review until afterward.

Whenever I hear about aliens who abduct human subjects and carry them off in spaceships and conduct weird experiments on them and shove scientific probes where the sun don't shine, I ask myself this question: Why do these alien visitations always seem to be aimed at just those kinds of people who are most likely to believe in them? Why do the aliens always pick people who summer at Roswell, N.M., instead of choosing someone like Stephen Hawking , Howard Stern or Dick Cheney?

"The Forgotten" is not a good movie, but at least it supplies a credible victim. Julianne Moore plays Telly Paretta, a mother who for 14 months has mourned her 9-year-old son, Sam. He died in a plane crash along with nine other kids. Her psychiatrist ( Gary Sinise ) wonders if perhaps she is ... enhancing ... her memories of Sam. She tries to limit her daily visits to photo albums and home videos, and then, one horrifying day, she finds that all her photos and videos of Sam have vanished!

She blames her husband ( Anthony Edwards ), but then she gets the bad news: She never had a son. She had a miscarriage. All of her memories of Sam have been fabricated in some kind of post-traumatic-syndrome scenario. The shrink and her husband agree: no Sam. In desperation, she turns to a neighbor ( Dominic West ), whose daughter also died in the same crash. He tells her he never had a daughter.

How can this be? She remembers Sam so clearly. So do we, because the director, Joseph Ruben , supplies repeated reruns of her memories, or home movies, I'm not sure which, and there's Sam smiling at the camera and playing in the park and looking defiantly pre-traumatic.

But how, and why, would her husband, and her shrink, and her neighbor, and her other neighbor, and even the New York Times, completely forget about Sam and the crash and all those little kids? The most likely hypothesis is that Telly is crazy and everybody else is right. But who would make a movie about a mother discovering her beloved child was imaginary? That would be too sad, too tragic, and, for that matter, too thought-provoking and artistically challenging, and might even make a good movie.

So we determine that Telly is not crazy. Therefore, she had a son, and she is the only person whose memory of Sam has not been erased. The whole world is arrayed against her. Even the federal government is her enemy. She's trailed by agents for the National Security Agency, who are sinister but astonishingly incompetent. A local cop ( Alfre Woodard ) wonders why the feds are involved: "They don't chase missing children." Being a woman, she of course intuitively believes Telly while all of the logical males diagnose her as a hysteric. She is a great help to Telly until she is suddenly pulled off the case, so to speak.

I will not spoil details of the last act, except to say that it is preposterous, and undoes a good deal of sympathy which Moore's performance has built up in the earlier scenes. There comes a point at which even the most patient moviegoer wearies of chases in which frantic female book editors outrun trained male agents. In which there is a large empty warehouse/hangar space for a dramatic confrontation. In which the Talking Killer Syndrome, by which the villain explains his misdeeds, is not a flaw but is desperately necessary if the plot is ever to be explained at all.

I will content myself with the very final scenes. You know, the ones in the playground. How are they possible? What repairs were necessary to the fabric of the physical world and remembered events? Who keeps track of this stuff? How come such stupid experiments are carried out by beings so superbly intelligent as to be able to conduct them? The movie begins with a premise: A mother remembers her lost son, and everyone she trusts tells her she only imagines she had a son. That's a great story idea. But it's all downhill from there. "The Forgotten" is best left.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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The Forgotten (2004)

Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, some violence and brief language

Alfre Woodard as Det. Ann Pope

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Gary Sinise as Dr. Munce

Julianne Moore as Telly Paretta

Dominic West as Ash Correll

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• Joseph Ruben
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Forgotten (2017)

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Review | Forgotten / ??? ? (2017)

Netflix Film Forgotten / ??? ? tells the story of a man who has lost his memory from the last 19 days. His brother is determined to seek the truth of his kidnapping. The film is directed by Hang-Jun Jang and stars Kang Ha-neul and Kim Mu-yeol.

In the opening of Forgotten / ??? ? , you are immediately introduced to Jin-seok (Kang Ha-neul) who, straight after what seems a terrifying flashback, is woken up at the back of a car with his happy family as they venture to their new house. Jin-seok proceeds to narrate for a few minutes describing his brother Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol) and his deep admiration for him. You could argue that his soppy anecdote about his brother’s life and their inseparable relationship is a little overkill but, as the South Korean mystery movie progresses, you begin to realise that everything has a purpose.

The Netflix film has constructed itself solely around major twists and surprises. After his brother’s kidnapping and his odd return from abduction, you begin to realise that Forgotten / ??? ? is setting up the viewer to be tricked. Whilst the movie does not cheat with the plot turns, you can almost sense it fancies its own story slightly too much.

Without giving away any spoilers, which I’ve begun to realise is pretty difficult for this film, Jin-seok starts discovering suspicious events and the behaviour of his brother starts to irk him. By the time the movie reaches the second act, the kidnapping becomes irrelevant in the grand scheme of the plot. The film’s odd jumpy moments will take you by surprise, and it manages to tease you to question the character’s surroundings. As an audience, you fully appreciate you are being led down a specific path and it is pretty difficult to swerve yourself away from it.

If the weird, odd, smiley brother does not make you question the story, the small room upstairs in the house will. Apparently, no one is allowed to enter the room because the previous owner has not collected their things yet, and in film-like fashion, the door to the room is locked. Other unusual events occur which lead to a revealing third act. Forgotten / ??? ? is complex, eerie and directs you through the eyes of Jin-seok only. There is no way you can figure it out immediately.

The mystery film is not exactly perfect despite an interesting concept. It fails to flow between each major event. At one point, you fear that the movie is turning into some boring action “cat and mouse” stuff, but it manages to pick up the mystery again to compel you with plot reveals that were unknown before. By the time you reach the hour mark, you just want to know what is going on. The odd aura surrounding the brother loses its appeal as it has been dragged on for too long. Due to the overexplained nature of the plot, you do begin to lose care for Jin-seok. Ten minutes could have easily been cut off.

Forgotten / ??? ? boasts some solid performances. Kang Ha-heul maintains a character that is anxious but at the same time holds such admiration for his brother that you sense his doubt beginning to betray his trust. Kim Mu-yeol has a slightly different performance to maintain, one that keeps his character at bay without intruding too much on the story to allow the audience to naturally reach the conclusions themselves. Without these performances, the film may have lacked a little punch with its disjointed flow between acts.

The Netflix film could have benefitted from a faster pace and more freaky jumpy moments to keep you engaged in the mystery. Instead, the movie succumbs itself to the cleverness of the twist rather than focus on the strength of the characters. If you know the twists are solid, you do not need to spend so long celebrating them. Overall, director Hang-Jung Hang has made a decent one-time mystery thriller that unfortunately will be easy to forget. The plot twists are dramatic on paper but do not feel impactful once you come across them.

With all its efforts, Netflix film Forgotten / ??? ? will definitely surprise you. I highly doubt you will figure out the true nature of the situation, making you slightly surprised by the outcome. Whilst it is worth watching, you will not find the South Korean mystery movie memorable.

Article by Daniel Hart

Daniel is the co-founder of Ready Steady Cut and has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2017. Since then, Dan has been at the top of his game by ensuring that we only produce and upload content of exceptional quality and that we’re up to date with the latest additions to the streaming and entertainment world.

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Story: Jin-seok (Kang Ha-neul), his father (Moon Sung-keun), mother (Na Young-hee) and brother Yoo-seok (Kim Moo-yeol) move into a new house. He is preparing for an important entry exam and shares a room with his brother who serves him as a role model. However, there is a certain room in the new house where the former tenant has stored a few things and which no one is allowed to enter. Jin-seok often hears sounds from the room and he is also plagued by nightmares. One day he witnesses his brother being kidnapped. The efforts of the police come to nothing, though, and nineteen days later his brother turns up again and doesn't remember what happened during his kidnapping. Then, Jin-seok notices his brother leaving the house. He follows him and sees him meeting with a few gangsters which appear to be very close to him. Jin-seok is now sure that something is very wrong. His brother has been switched with a doppelganger. When he confronts him about it he pretends to be unaware of what he is talking about and asks him if he has taken his medicine regularly. In fact, Jin-seok just forgot to take his pills and so he has to ask himself what's reality and what imagination...

Review: "Forgotten" is a mystery thriller which tackles different genres and doing so probably isn't always a hundred percent successful, yet delivers a lot of fun and guess work with its numerous twists. To be exact, the movie knows about its strengths and therefore relies on its puzzle-like structure maybe a little bit too much, which results in the movie as a whole not giving a very coherent impression. But that is acceptable since you are sitting at the edge of your seat all throughout the movie. The twists are so numerous that even when you believe to have solved some of the mysteries you suddenly find yourself in front of a handful of new questions and revelations. If you are willing to deal with that, and this also means that the plot's entanglements inevitably get a bit implausible, you get a very nice thriller.

As soon as the mystery has been solved more and more of the story's layers are peeled off. Director Jang Hang-jun ("Spring Breeze") maybe celebrates the interlacing of his story a tad too much, but it's understandable why. Although the story is complex and there are constantly hints given you should only get retrospectively, it's always easy to follow the events. That's very rare. Accordingly, you should be allowed to be proud of this accomplishment as a filmmaker. However, there inevitably have to be one or two plot holes. The reason for all that is happening is rather far-fetched after all, since the director tries to sell something that isn't really comprehensible. Yes, it's difficult to write about "Forgotten" without spoiling anything. But since the special appeal of this thriller lies in its twists and surprises you have to settle for this rather vague criticism.

Kim Moo-yeol in particular is oftentimes not even recognizable and delivers a great performance. Kang Ha-neul carries the movie well, too, and manages, despite the lack of focus on the characters, to give his role a bit of three-dimensionality. The last third of the movie eventually turns out to be a marathon of twists and even though the director goes a bit overboard, as already stated, it is fun. The last image within a flashback normally would have caused eye-rolling with me, but this rather turns out to be the notion of an ideal reality. It's those small things and alterations which make this mystery thriller stand out from the mass of similar productions. Furthermore, as a Netflix production "Forgotten" is also tailored to an international audience. Fans of thrillers with a dark and tragic tone are without a doubt at the right address here.

Stories for open-minded

Forgotten Love explained & the true story behind the book

Forgotten Love has represented one of the most exciting movies released on Netflix in the second half of 2023. Based on a famous Polish book, the film tells the fascinating story of Rafal Wilczur, a brilliant surgeon who loses his memory and starts a second life, reuniting by chance with his daughter. The plot is pretty complicated, and the ending leaves many questions unanswered. Also, viewers have been curious to know if there was a true story behind it, and the book is factually inspired by two real cases mentioned by the author. Everything will be explained in this article.

You can watch the official trailer for Forgotten Love here on Youtube .

Forgotten Love plot & ending explained: who tried to kill Rafal?

The plot of Forgotten Love follows the life of Dr. Rafal Wilczur, a brilliant surgeon living in Poland with his wife and his little daughter. Rafal is a passionate doctor who provides help also for poor people who don’t have insurance. However, his wife shows signs of depression at home, and one day, she leaves with her daughter. Rafal tries to find her, but he gets attacked by a group of bandits. We see an enigmatic scene: while Rafal gets beaten, his colleague, Dr. Jerzy Dobraniecki, arrives; he watches Rafal lose consciousness and leaves without helping him. From that, we understand he wanted him out of the game so he could become the Chief Surgeon in the clinic.

As Forgotten Love has explained, according to the newspaper, Rafal is believed dead, although his body was never found. His wife will start a new life elsewhere, and his daughter will grow up. Years later, we discover that Rafal is still alive: he completely loses his memory and doesn’t remember who he is. But he can still use all his exceptional medical skills and help people out of his natural passion. We slowly discover that Marysia is his daughter: she grew up believing her father committed suicide, but at the ending of Forgotten Love , she understands that Rafal is her biological father.

The interesting part of the plot in Forgotten Love is that Rafal still doesn’t remember what happened to him years before, but that doesn’t exclude that one day he will. This scares Dr. Dobraniecki: if Rafal regains his memory, he can accuse him of complicity or failure to assist, causing a scandal (he’s a renowned doctor). That’s why Dobraniecki asks his lover, Zoska, to call him immediately if he shows signs he’s regaining memory. Also, at the trial, Dobraniecki proposes to take Rafal under his custody and treat his memory: he’s probably more interested in preventing him from ever regaining his memory again so his reputation will be safe.

The plot and the ending of Forgotten Love have explained the story of a character who reunites with his destiny: Marysia will officially recognize Rafal as her father, and society will identify him as Dr. Rafal Wilczur, reconnecting with his true story. At the ending of Forgotten Love, Rafal will marry Zoska, and Marysia gets married to Count Leszek Czynski.

Will Rafal Wilczur ever regain his memory? Forgotten Love is based on the book Znachor ( The Quack ) by Polish author Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz: in that book, Rafal Wilczur doesn’t manage to get his memory back. However, the novel was so successful in Poland that the writer decided to work on a sequel. The following novel is titled Professor Wilczur , and yes, in that book, Rafal Wilczur regains his memory and tries to get back to his former job in the clinic .

Is there a true story behind the book?

The events depicted by Forgotten Love are so fascinating that people wonder if there is a true story inspiring the book and the movie. The author of the book, Tadeusz Dołęga-Mostowicz, had the chance to explain it: the character of Rafal Wilczur is fictional, born from his fantasy, but two real-life events inspired him for this story .

Around 1936, the writer visited Radotki, a small village in east-central Poland. There, he met a mysterious man called Różycki: he worked in a water mill, but his knowledge of medicine and herbalism allowed him to receive patients from the village. It is said that many people preferred to be treated by him instead of real doctors. Różycki became the main inspiration for Rafal Wilczur and his novel Znachor – The Quack.

Another source was an article that the Polish newspaper ABC published one year before: the piece of news was about a doctor, Dr. Ferdynand Dolani, who regularly graduated in medicine in Brussels. However, he moved to Poland and concealed his medical degree, practicing as a quack. He believed in the ethical duty of helping others, and since most people were losing faith in real doctors, he preferred to act as a quack.

So the movie Forgotten Love , and the book it’s based on, is not a true story, but the author who wrote it got his inspiration from two real stories he discovered in those years.

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'Cocoon: The Return' (1988)

The sci-fi comedy drama Cocoon (1985) was one of the biggest hits in the 1980s, commercially and critically. The movie, which follows the residents of a retirement home who feel young again after encountering friendly aliens, went on to win two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) and Best Visual Effects.

However, the sequel didn’t receive the same level of love. While all of the cast members returned for the film, it wasn’t well received by critics, who thought that it didn’t bring anything new to the story. Despite that, the movie became a hit at the box office.

American Psycho II: All American Girl (2002)

One of Christian Bale’s most iconic roles is Patrick Bateman, from “American Psycho.” Based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, this 2000’s satirical psychological thriller follows Bateman, New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer.

The truth is that the film, set in the 1980s, works specifically for that period, mocking the yuppie culture and consumerism through Bateman. So, it’s not surprising that its sequel, starring Mila Kunis as serial killer/criminology student, didn’t work out. Actually, at first, it wasn’t connected to the original.

The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)

“Carrie,” based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and directed by Brian De Palma, is considered to be one of the best horror films of all time, as well as one of the best coming-of-age films… And, basically, one of the greatest films, period.

So, it’s fortunate that not many people are even aware that the movie has a sequel, which was clearly a far cry from the original. While it tries to follow the original’s beats and storyline, it doesn't add anything new. It was panned by critics, and it couldn’t break even at the box office.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

The original Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan, wasn’t exactly popular among critics (who did praise the visual effects), but at least it was beloved by audiences. It grossed over $250 million worldwide, and since then has become a family favorite.

So, Space Jam: A new Legacy was a disappointment on all levels. Lebron wasn’t bad (but wasn’t great either), but the film was a disaster in terms of plot, runtime and it was harshly criticized for being considered a product-placement for Warner Bros. Truly forgettable.

Legally Blonde 2 (2003)

“Legally Blonde” is one of the most beloved films of the 2000s. Starring Reese Witherspoon as the sharp Elle Woods, the film follows a sorority girl who tries to win her boyfriend back while following him to Harvard to win a law degree.

Where the fist film is funny, subversive and charming, the second one just doesn’t capture the same essence and it feels like overplay the same tropes of the original. However, fans of the franchise are still waiting for another film which is in development.

The Two Jakes (1990)

"Chinatown" is a neo-noir classic set in 1930s Los Angeles, following private investigator J.J. "Jake" Gittes as he uncovers corruption, murder, and scandal while working on a seemingly routine adultery case. The film, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson, is considered one of the best thriller films of all time.

However, its sequel, also starring Nicholson, failed to deliver the same brilliance of the original. While some appreciated the film's attempt to delve deeper into Gittes' character, "The Two Jakes" received mixed reviews and disappointed at the box office, and now it’s mostly forgotten.

Mean Girls 2 (2011)

The original Mean Girls captured the high-school experience so perfectly that it has become a coming-of-age classic. Starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert, it also served as a showcase for the great talent of its cast.

However, a second film, starring this time Disney Channel’s darlings Meaghan Martin and Jennifer Stone, wasn’t quite the same. It was made direct-to-TV for ABC family… So, you can imagine that the tone was far away from the first film.

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

Starring Will Smith, “Independence Day” was one of the biggest blockbuster films of the 90s, and it started a resurgence of the sci-fi genre. The story followed an alien invasion, in which the President of the US and other survivors must fight back.

The sequel was released 20 years later, and it failed to capture the charm of its predecessor. Critics and audiences alike criticized the sequel for its convoluted plot, as well as lack of character development. Despite high anticipation, "Resurgence" received mixed to negative reviews and underperformed at the box office.

Road House 2: The Last Call (2006)

The original "Road House," released in 1989 and starring Patrick Swayze as a tough bouncer hired to clean up a rowdy bar, initially received mixed reviews from critics but gained a cult following over time. Despite some criticisms of its over-the-top action sequences and simplistic plot, "Road House" ultimately became a staple of '80s action cinema.

In contrast, "Road House 2: Last Call," released in 2006, failed to capture the same magic as its predecessor. The sequel, which follows a similar premise with a new protagonist played by Johnathon Schaech, faced harsh criticism from both critics and audiences. Lacking the star power and charm of Swayze, as well as the original's nostalgic appeal, "Road House 2" struggled to resonate with viewers.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

When Tom Cruise took the role of Jack Reacher for the 2012 film, written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, there was skepticism about his casting, especially for his physicality. However, the actor, as usual, did more than a good job bringing the character to life in the well-received action thriller. It also became a box office hit.

However, its sequel, “Never Go Back,” released in 2016 didn’t match the original. One of the reasons was that McQuarrie didn’t return to helm the project, as well as the rest of the cast. While in the first film Cruise was accompanied by Rosamund Pike and Werner Herzog, in this one the rest of the cast was less recognized by the public.

'Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987)

In the summer of 1975, Steven Spielberg’s thriller film “Jaws” invented the modern summer blockbuster. The movie was so big that it was the highest-grossing film at the time, until it was beaten by “Star Wars” two years later. But, apart from the numbers, it is still, of course, a great film in every technical aspect, especially in editing and music.

However, its sequels didn’t manage to capture the magic of the original film. Neither Spielberg nor author and screenwriter Peter Benchley were involved in the sequels. While the second is bad, the third is worse and we don’t even know what to say about the fourth… In which somehow the shark has a conscience and wants revenge.

Return To Oz (1985)

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most celebrated musicals of all time. The beloved classic stars Judy Garland as Dorothy, a little kid from Kansas that ends up in the magical land of Oz. While the popularity of the film is undeniable, not many people remember that it had a sequel.

Titled “Return to Oz,” the movie starred Fairuza Balk in her film debut as a young Dorothy Gale. It was based on The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) and Ozma of Oz (1907). It wasn’t a success at the box office and critics didn’t love it, but it has now become a cult classic.

S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale (2009)

“Donnie Darko” is a sci-fi thriller that launched the career of Jake Gyllenhaal, who played a troubled teenager who has visions. The film has a strong cult-following but outside of the fandom, probably not many people are aware that there’s a sequel.

“S. Darko: A Donnie Darko Tale” was released in 2009, and it followed Donnie’s sister Samantha, who is also having hallucinations. It was directed by Chris Fisher, and starred Daveigh Chase, Briana Evigan, and Ed Westwick. Critics panned the film, and it failed to start up a franchise.

Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

While at first it was met with mixed reactions, “Basic Instinct” has become a classic neo-noir thriller. Starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas, the movie follows a police detective who, while investigating a brutal murder, becomes entangled with the prime suspect.

If the first film made a splash at the box office, the sequel, which also stars Stone, underperformed at the box office and it was met with negative reviews. Director Michael Caton-Jones has said that making the film “was a painful” experience, and that he didn’t get along with Stone.

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

“Dirty Dancing” is a classic coming-of-age film from the 1980s, which starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. The movie follows the summer romance between Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey) and dance instructor Johnny Castle (Swayze) at a vacation resort, and features the arguably most-famous dance routine of cinema (thank you, Kenny Ortega!).

However, not many people know that there’s a sequel to this classic. Well, actually, it’s a prequel. It stars Romola Garai and Diego Luna, the movie follows the same structure as the first one but it’s set in Havana, right before the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The film was a minor box office success but received mostly negative reviews from critics.

'Staying Alive' (1983)

In the 1970s, nobody was doing it like John Travolta. Just a year before “Grease,” the actor starred in “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) as Tony Manero, a role that made him a household name. The film was a cultural phenomenon, popularizing disco all over the world.

Travolta came back for its sequel, “Staying Alive,” which was directed by Sylvester Stallone. However, the movie was panned by critics, who considered that it lacked the realism of its predecessor. Despite this, it became a box office hit.

Grease 2 (1982)

“Grease” is one of the most beloved classics of the 1970s, as well as one of the most popular musicals of all time. Starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the film was a box office hit and since then has become a cultural phenomenon. Who doesn’t know the words to “You’re the One That I Want” or “Summer Nights”?

However, its sequel, starring Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer, was released in 1982 but failed to become as iconic as the first film. While some of the original cast returned, the feeling just wasn’t the same. Critics disliked it and the box office was disappointing.

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

“Speed” starred Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in a high-concept action thriller that solidified their status as household names. Apart from the gripping action sequences, the movie was also a smash hit thanks to its leads’ insane chemistry. Apart from conquering the box office, it also earned critical acclaim, including two Academy Awards.

While Bullock reprised her role for the sequel, Reeves didn’t return and the results weren’t the same. The film also suffered from the change of scenery, this time it was set on board a cruise, and it was a box-office bomb, as well as critically panned.

T2: Trainspotting (2017)

The British dramedy “Trainspotting” is considered one of the best films of the 90s, thanks to its depiction of substance abuse and economical struggle in Edinburgh. It stars Ewan McGregor in one of his most celebrated roles… However, not many people are aware that there’s a sequel, and it’s actually good.

The film, starring the original cast, was released in 2017. One of the keys of its success is that director Danny Boyle also returned for this one, maintaining the same essence of the first. It grossed 2.1 million against a production budget of $18 million.

The Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)

The Exorcist" is a landmark horror film that follows the story of a young girl named Regan who becomes possessed by a malevolent demon. A team of priests, including Father Merrin and Father Karras, conducts an exorcism to save her soul. The film is praised for its chilling atmosphere, compelling performances, and groundbreaking special effects, becoming a classic of the horror genre.

"The Exorcist II: The Heretic" attempts to continue the story of the original film, exploring themes of faith and redemption. However, the sequel fails to capture the same terror and intensity as its predecessor. Critics and audiences were disappointed by the confusing plot, poor pacing, and lackluster scares.

2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)

Stanley Kubrick’s "2001: A Space Odyssey” is considered a groundbreaking science fiction masterpiece that explores humanity's place in the universe, artificial intelligence, and the evolution of consciousness. The film's mesmerizing visuals, enigmatic narrative, and philosophical themes have cemented its status as one of the greatest films ever made, inspiring generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.

But many people don’t know there’s a sequel directed and written by Peter Hyams. "2010: The Year We Make Contact" revisits the universe of "2001," offering a more straightforward narrative as a joint American-Soviet mission investigates the disappearance of the Discovery One spacecraft. Surprisingly the film received generally positive reviews, and it’s considered a worthy continuation of the original.

Psycho II (1983)

‘Psycho’ is arguably one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most influential films, as well as one of his most famous works thanks to its tense atmosphere, direction, performances and cinematography. However, not many people know that there are several sequels to the first one, while neither with Hitchcock.

While Anthony Perkins returned to his role of Norman Bates in all three sequels, and also directed the third film, the three sequels received mixed reviews and are considered inferior to the original movie.

Son of the Mask (2005)

Making a sequel of “The Mask” without Jim Carrey was a questionable decision, and the results proved that not everyone can be as funny as him. Only Ben Stein returned from the original cast for this sequel in 2005.

Here, Jamie Kennedy plays a guy who becomes a wild and crazy character after putting on the mask, which has powers from the Norse god Loki. Even though they bring in characters like Loki (played by Alan Cumming) and Odin (played by Bob Hoskins), critics tore the movie apart, and it didn't get anywhere near the love the first one got in 1994.

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The Best Forgotten Disney Movie from Each Decade, Ranked

Disney has some of the most memorable animated movies to ever grace the big screen, but others, like Fantasia, have been forgotten.

Disney movies are often at the forefront of cinema and streaming platforms, with numerous new projects being regularly produced. With such a high volume of films, there are some that have been forgotten amid their competitors. Disney's feature-length animations began in the 1930s, and since then, the studios have produced films across a plethora of genres and styles.

The Lion King took the '90s by storm and has been well-loved by audiences through the years. The movie is a great example of a Disney success that has remained memorable, going on to appear as a stage performance, as well as receiving a live-action remake in 2019, with a prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, due out this year. There are others that didn't reach quite the same memorable heights as the animal-focused film, yet they are still worthy of acknowledgment and audiences.

10 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Was a First for the 1930s

Snow white and the seven dwarfs.

Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.

It's not necessarily the most forgotten Disney movie, however, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the only feature-length animation from Disney in its decade, and, considering it's 87 years old, younger generations may not know the original movie or its significance.

The film has been acknowledged as not having aged well for its outdated storyline, but, at the time, it stepped into a new era of movie-making, for which Walt Disney was presented with an honorary Academy Award. Though it wasn't the first animation to ever be created, it was an impressively striking, technicolor piece that hit a high standard for animation to follow, as well as setting the precedent for what Disney was capable of.

9 Fantasia Was a 1940s Spectacle

*Availability in US

Not available

A series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.

10 Most Iconic Villains in ‘90s Disney Movies, Ranked

A Disney golden age classic , Fantasia stands out in Disney's catalog as a unique piece that is difficult to define by genre or type. The anthology comprises seven shorts, classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski and magical imagery depicting a few Mickey Mouse adventures.

It's not a conventional movie, so it can get lost among the likes of Cinderella or Frozen, but it's a notable piece nonetheless. As Disney's third animated feature, Fantasia 's experimental edge took Walt Disney's vision of blending epic visuals with classical music and brought it to life. The film proved what can be done when artistic influences come together and create something spectacular.

8 The Emperor’s New Groove Broke the 4th Wall in the 2000s

The emperor's new groove.

Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.

The Emperor's New Groove has fallen under the radar since it came out in 2000, but the characters and quotes are some of Disney's funniest and most memorable. The movie focuses on Kuzco, a young Emperor who gets turned into a llama by Yzma. He winds up in the jungle and has to find his way back home with his new friend, Pacha.

Kuzco is a difficult protagonist to get on side with because he can come across as a little irritating and obnoxious. However, his journey allows him to learn from Pacha, who is a warm, kind-hearted person. The film also includes the use of breaking the fourth wall to add to the comedy, something that isn't often seen in Disney movies.

7 The 2010s Saw a Continuation of the Beloved Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh is an iconic character invented by English author A. A. Milne. In 2011, Disney gave another installment to the extensive stories of the much-loved bear and his friends.

In this particular film, the titular character realizes he doesn't have any honey left, while Eeyore loses his tail, and Christopher Robin gets taken by Backson. Pooh and the gang take it upon themselves to go on the hunt for the honey, Eeyore's tail and Christopher, experiencing an adventurous journey. The story is a heartening watch, delivering the best of the endearing characters that generations of audiences have come to know.

6 Robin Hood Was Reimagined in the 1970s

The story of the legendary British outlaw portrayed with the characters as anthropomorphic animals.

Like Winnie the Pooh, Robin Hood is a name that many people know, which has been portrayed in a variety of films. In 1973, Disney did an animated version with the characters being made up of anthropomorphic animals. Robin Hood was a fox who, like the human legend, took from the rich to give to the poor.

The animation breaks down the tale of the outlaw for younger viewers, helping them to digest the story while maintaining the main parts of the antics based in Nottingham Forest. Robin Hood got the best IMDB rating out of any Disney animation from the '70s but remains an underrated project of its genre that can sometimes get forgotten.

5 Phil Collins Was a Big Part of Tarzan in the 1990s

Disney's tarzan.

A man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.

15 Longest Disney Movies, Ranked

Hailing as one of the highest-grossing Disney animations , Tarzan was produced at the end of the Disney Renaissance, which lasted for ten years, from 1989 to 1999. The period saw a rise in Disney's success, with movies that struck a chord with audiences and have stuck around for a long time.

Though Tarzan is part of this decade-long span, it comes up against a lot of other tough contenders and can get lost in the decade it was made. As well as the thrilling plot of a human who was brought up by gorillas, the soundtrack consisted of songs by acclaimed musician, Phil Collins, whose mastery got it placed at number five on the Billboard 200. The tunes by Phil Collins are a big part of the film, known just as much as the plot.

4 Soul Focused on Important Life Lessons in the 2020s

After landing the gig of a lifetime, a New York jazz pianist suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange land between Earth and the afterlife.

Soul was the last Disney animation to come out in 2020 and follows the main character, Joe Gardner. Joe is a skilled jazz pianist, who teaches at a middle-school, but doesn't enjoy his job as much as his musical passion. When an accident puts Joe into a coma, he's transported to another dimension, which takes him on a path to discover his real purpose alongside his sidekick, 22.

Soul brings up mature subject matters that deal with the hardships of life, as well as finding beauty in small things, making it appropriate for both adults and children alike. The animation is led by an A-list cast, including Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Daveed Diggs and Rachel House.

3 The Sword in the Stone Made a Young Boy a Hero in the 1960s

The sword in the stone.

A poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.

15 Scariest Disney Villains, Ranked

The '60s was another competitive decade for Disney movies, with the likes of Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book making waves in cinema. Therefore, The Sword in the Stone can slip the minds of audiences, but it's an animation that deserves praise and a supportive fan base.

Merlin, a Wizard, tries to assist a young boy named Arthur (or Wart) to achieve greatness. At a jousting contest, it seems that Merlin was right to believe that his apprentice was bound for success. For some years, there had been talks of a live-action remake of The Sword in the Stone. Unfortunately, it appears the project has been put on hold and is not likely to refresh the engrossing story anytime soon. Nevertheless, the original film is fun enough to capture viewers of today.

2 The 1950s Had a Wonderfully Weird Adventure With Alice in Wonderland

Alice in wonderland (1951).

Alice in Wonderland didn't do so well at the box office but later became a cult classic. The plot line steers away from any love story and becomes a viewing where children can let their imaginations run free.

Based on Lewis Carroll's spellbinding novel, Alice falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a world unknown to her. She's met with an abundance of bizarre and colorful characters, not least of which include a Cheshire cat and a white rabbit who is continuously late. The surreal events that unfold are as eccentric as they are brilliant. Alice and the viewers share in the bizarre experience, which is somewhat unnerving but leaves audiences curious at every turn.

1 Oliver & Company Bopped Its Way Through the 1980s

Oliver & company.

A lost and alone kitten joins a gang of dogs engaged in petty larceny in New York City

Starring the very familiar musical voice of Billy Joel, Oliver & Company is inspired by the classic Charles Dickens story, Oliver Twist. An orphaned kitten becomes part of a group of dogs who live on the streets and try to teach him how to look out for himself. Like the novel, their owner, Fagin, becomes entangled with the villain, Bill Sikes, causing uncertainty and danger along the way.

The music of the movie was a lot more modern than previous musicals, with Joel taking the lead vocals on "Why Should I Worry?" The songs feel as if they could've been released on their own to top the charts. With the combination of the retelling of a literary classic, enlivening characters and foot-tapping tracks, it's an underrated movie from the '80s, that deserves renewed recognition.

Screen Rant

This controversial chinese war movie starring matt damon, pedro pascal & willem dafoe is now on netflix.

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The Great Wall Director Explains The Film's Cultural Challenges

10 forgotten matt damon roles, the 10 best pedro pascal movies and tv shows ranked.

• The Great Wall is now streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a chance to see the Hollywood-China action thriller.
• Despite star power and top-notch creative team, Matt Damon admitted the film was a disaster.
• Accusations of whitewashing and white superiority plagued The Great Wall, overshadowing its intended cultural showcase.

The controversial Chinese-set war movie, The Great Wall , featuring Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, and Willem Dafoe, is now streaming on Netflix. Releasing in February 2017, The Great Wall opened to negative reviews from critics across the board. The joint Hollywood-China action thriller was also rejected by audiences, grossing only $334.9 million at the box office on a $150 million production budget. The Great Wall was a box office bomb, losing around $75 million , making it both a critical and commercial failure. However, it could get a new lease of life on Netflix, where more audiences can discover the film.

The Great Wall cast includes veteran Hollywood actors alongside Chinese and Hong Kong stars Jing Tian and Andy Lau. Its creative team is equally impressive: the film was helmed by Zhang Yimou, known for the acclaimed 2002 film Hero, which rendered him a leading figure in Chinese cinema. The script, meanwhile, was co-written by Tony Gilroy, who has writing credits in the Bourne franchise, Michael Clayton, and the Star Wars series Andor . Despite that, even star Matt Damon admitted The Great War was a disaster . However, it is gaining a resurgence in popularity thanks to Netflix .

We interview The Great Wall director Zhang Yimou about the cultural challenges he faced making the film and what he hopes audiences take away from it.

The Great Wall Is Now Streaming On Netflix

It is a monster film set in medieval china.

Now streaming on Netflix, The Great Wall is set during the reign of the Renzong Emperor in medieval China . It follows the journey of a group of European mercenaries seeking gunpowder. After a harrowing encounter with a monstrous creature near the Great Wall, only two survivors, William Garin (Dafoe) and Pero Tovar (Damon), find themselves captured by the Nameless Order, a secretive military faction tasked with defending against a mysterious threat. As tensions escalate and alliances shift, Garin and Tovar become embroiled in the Order's efforts to confront this otherworldly menace.

Amidst the chaos of battles and betrayals, Garin and his companions uncover crucial information about the enemy's weaknesses. With bravery and ingenuity, they devise a daring plan to thwart the impending danger. Their journey culminates in a climactic showdown where they must confront the source of the threat and secure victory against overwhelming odds. In the aftermath, Garin and Tovar face pivotal choices that determine their fates , highlighting the bonds forged in the crucible of conflict.

Why The Great Wall's Reviews Were So Bad (Despite The Good Cast)

Critics were disappointed by its formulaic plot.

Despite its stellar international star cast, The Great Wall 's reviews were largely negative. According to Rotten Tomatoes , it has a score of 35%, based on over 230 reviews, and an audience score of 42%. On Metacritic, the film achieved a score of 42 out of 100, signaling mixed or average reviews, while its IMDb score is 5.9/10. The reviews largely criticized the film's simplistic, predictable, and formulaic plot , which derailed its grand spectacle and compelling action set pieces. The Hollywood Reporter , for instance, called it disappointing and weightless, decrying its " sheer lack of logic ."

The New York Times , similarly, found it to be a " painless, overstuffed spectacle " with a " threadbare story." Critics praised The Great Wall 's costume and production design , but the film did not deliver the soul, thrill, or emotional pay off many hoped it would , especially given the cast and creative team behind it. Its reviews could have been so bad because of the high expectations and hype around it, without which it may have passed off as just another mediocre blockbuster film. The Great Wall was no doubt not one of Matt Damon's best movies in his sprawling career.

Matt Damon is a talented actor, and although he has played some great roles, he also has a few parts on his resume that have been mostly forgotten.

The Great Wall's Controversies Explained

It was accused of whitewashing and promoting white superiority.

Before its release, the film faced accusations of whitewashing and perpetuating the white savior narrative due to the inclusion of white characters in a medieval Chinese setting . Ann Hornaday, chief film critic for The Washington Post, refuted these concerns, stating that Damon's character is " less an out-and-out hero than a foil for ideas of national identity and cultural chauvinism that China is obviously eager to export for global consumption. " In other words, he was not so much a white savior as he was a complement to the superior principles and bravery demonstrated by his Chinese allies.

In The Huffington Post , Jonathan Kim similarly defended The Great Wall from accusations of whitewashing, promoting white superiority, and insulting the Chinese. He deemed the film " not guilty " on all these counts, and found the criticism unfounded. Director Zhang, too, criticized the detractors for their lack of understanding of the film's context . For him, The Great Wall represents a significant step towards showcasing Chinese culture to a global audience, with the extensive Chinese cast as evidence of its commitment to authenticity and inclusivity. This controversy largely subsided once the film was released, though that did not save its unfortunate fate.

Since Game of Thrones, Pedro Pascal movies and TV shows have been at the forefront of popular culture; here is the best of the talented actor's roles.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall is a 2016 action-adventure film starring Matt Damon, who helps defend the Great Wall of China from a horde of monsters. The Great Wall received mixed to negative reviews upon release and was criticized for falling into the white savior narrative. Also starring in the movie are Tian Jing, Willem DaFoe, and Andy Lau.

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Forgotten Love

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Watch Forgotten Love with a subscription on Netflix.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Michał Gazda

Leszek Lichota

Rafał Wilczur vel Antoni Kosiba

Maria Kowalska

Ignacy Liss

Hrabia Czyński

Anna Szymańczyk

Mirosław Haniszewski