Dystopian Thriller 'Concrete Utopia' Is Eye-Opening and Intense (and We Smell an Oscar Nomination)

Despite the influx of apocalyptic content that's been gracing our screens lately, we'll admit, we can't resist a thought-provoking disaster-thriller that explores society's deepest flaws.

Allow us to introduce Concrete Utopia, which premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Um Tae-hwa, it revolves around the survivors of a deadly earthquake that occurred in Seoul. With one upscale apartment complex left standing in the rubble, they all seek shelter in the building. But as time goes on and resources dwindle—with no rescue teams in sight—the residents elect a new leader and vote to evict the outsiders. Naturally, chaos ensues as the tenants fight to survive and "protect" their building.

Although most disaster films are driven by spectacle, Concrete Utopia takes a slightly different approach by offering a more intimate look at the characters in the complex. They're layered and flawed and faced with impossible circumstances. And it's through their stories that Tae-hwa sheds light on the darker side of human nature.

It's worth noting that these characters aren't painted as purely good or evil, but rather nuanced in their internal struggle. They're forced to deal with a tragedy that, ultimately, brings out the worst in them. And as they grow more desperate, all morals are thrown the window, proving that humans are more inclined to only look out for themselves when their lives are at stake.

For example, there's Min-Seong, played brilliantly by Park Seo-joon. He's introduced as a quiet husband and public servant who gets recruited to join a committee of men who enforce the rules and venture into the wastelands for food. But over time, and to his wife's dismay, he hardens and goes to more extreme measures for the sake of survival—and to be accepted by his leader.

The same can be said for Lee Byung-hun's Yeong-tak, who starts off as a quiet, unsuspecting resident but morphs into a cold-hearted leader who will stop at nothing to defend the apartment building and protect its residents.