Bill Skarsgård Isn't a "Huge Fan" of the Horror Genre but This 94%-Rated Korean Gem Is His Favorite

Bill Skarsgård, the actor who became the face of modern horror thanks to his roles as Pennywise in It and Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, doesn't actually love the horror genre.

Bill Skarsgård Confesses He Doesn't Really Like Horrors, but Park Chan-wook's 'Oldboy' Is His Favorite

In an interview with Dazed, he admitted that he wasn't a horror fan as a child and didn't enjoy the thrill of fear:

“I wasn't a huge fan of horror films growing up, I was never super into the sensation of getting scaredю But then I watched a lot because I've been doing horror so much.”

When asked about his favorite horror movie, Skarsgård chose not a classic horror but the cult Korean thriller Oldboy, directed by Park Chan-wook.

What Is 'Oldboy' About?

In 1988, Oh Dae-su, an ordinary businessman and alcoholic, was kidnapped and imprisoned in a hotel room for no apparent reason. He spends 15 years there, subsisting on dumplings and watching the outside world through a television, slowly going mad in the process.

When he is suddenly released in 2003, he embarks on a bloody quest to find his captor and discover the reason for his imprisonment. However, the truth he uncovers proves to be far more terrifying than any physical violence.

Even 20 Years Later, 'Oldboy' Is Still a Brilliant Thriller With One of the Most Shocking Plot Twists

Oldboy is more than just a movie – it's a cultural phenomenon that introduced the world to the power of Korean auteur cinema and foreshadowed its surge in popularity.

With its visual masterpieces, Oldboy is etched in memory. The famous scene of continuous carnage in a narrow corridor, captured in a single take, set a standard for screen violence and inspired movies such as The Raid and John Wick.

Oldboy masterfully guides viewers through a labyrinth of revenge, culminating in one of the most painful and morally complex twists in cinematic history.

This twist isn't just for the sake of surprise – it's a tragic blow that turns the entire narrative on its head. It forces viewers to rethink the main character's actions and experience not just fear, but also a chilling horror at the potential of human nature.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Oldboy'?

• Oldboy has 82% from critics and 94% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.3/10.

• On Letterboxd, Oldboy scored 4.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Oldboy'?

Oldboy is available to rent or buy on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.