Psychokinesis, now streaming on Netflix, is the most genuine superhero movie ever

A down-to-earth superhero movie, that's the best way to describe Psychokinesis, a funny South Korean movie that is now streaming on Netflix. It is perhaps the first Korean superhero movie.

Psychokinesis understands what makes a superhero movie and simply play to that game. No gimmicks, no extravaganza.  Almost every superhero movie tells the story of an underdog who at some point in life realizes his real power and sets out to save the world.

In Psychokinesis the underdog is a middle aged father who abandons his wife and daughter. This is a slap to Hollywood's definition of superhero. Can you imagine Peter Parker as an elderly guy?

The hero's name is Shin Seok heon played by Korean actor Ryu Seung-ryong.Shin is a flawed character. A true underdog. He reminds me of Gene Hackman's character in The Royal Tenenbaums. A father who ruthlessly abandons his family and returns to them years later only to find that he doesn't matter anymore in their lives. And his attempts to gain their attention makes him end up as a clown.

Seok heon fighting the police in the climax of Psychokinesis

Seok heon meets his daughter Roo-mi at his wife's funeral. He at first fails to recognize her. His wife died in a fight with the goons of a big corporate firm who were trying to evict them from the restaurant her daughter runs. The company want to evict the small businesses and build a big shopping center there.

Seok heon gets telekinetic powers when he drink water from a spring. The spring water had been hit by a meteor, which gives him the power to move things without touching them. With his power he saves his daughter and her friends from the brutalities unleashed by the corporate firm.

Psychokinesis is a modest attempt with greater results. It is better than all the superhero blockbusters that hit the theaters every season.

The director of the movie is the same guy who gave us the zombie classic Train to Busan (2016)--Yeon Sang ho. As of June 6 2018, Psychokinesis is still streaming on Netflix, don't miss it if you are ok with a movie with subtitles.