Mission: Cross (2024) Movie Review – Mission Accomplished

Mission Accomplished

Mission: Cross, the Korean action-comedy, recently debuted on Netflix. The film is an intriguing blend of action, crime, and comedy, aiming to be a light-hearted watch by playing with familiar tropes of the hidden lives of a married couple. If you’re a fan of underground bunkers, secret missions, torture chambers, bloody escapades, and thrilling chases—with a dash of comedy on top—then this is the film for you.

Mission: Cross stars veteran Korean actors Hwang Jung-min and Yeom Jung-ah and revolves around the lives of a married couple, Park Kang-moo and Kang Mi-sun. While Kang-moo is a stay-at-home husband, his wife is a no-nonsense star detective.

To those who know him, Kang-moo is Mi-sun’s “wife,” responsible for household chores, pampering Mi-sun, and being the perfect host for Mi-sun’s colleagues after a rough day. On the other hand, Mi-sun takes on the role of the “man” in a patriarchal Korean society, boldly and relentlessly hunting down criminals.

However, the monotony of their marriage and their peaceful life of carefully divided roles comes to a halt when the couple is thrust into an action-packed crime plot, spurred by the ghosts of Kang-moo’s past. Contrary to his appearance as an obedient and caring husband, he is, in fact, a former special agent in the nation’s Defence Intelligence Command, specializing in counterterrorism operations and strategic assassinations.

After an unfortunate incident that had his teammate killed, he was relieved of duty and subsequently assumed a civilian identity. Trouble comes knocking at the couple’s door when they get involved in a procurement fraud and a case of misappropriation of defence funds. With high stakes comes heightened danger as the couple tries to prevent the laundering of public money while discovering new secrets from their personal lives.

Right off the bat, the film’s poster features our two protagonists lovingly looking at each other, dressed in body armour, with a brightly lit heart between them—likely the by-product of the destructive blast behind them. From this, we can easily gauge that the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. This light-heartedness makes it a great action-comedy for those seeking some respite from the intense tension of typical action thrillers.

The film opens with two parallel stories—Mi-sun’s adventures in the world of civilian crime and Kang-moo’s world of special agents and high-stakes missions.

For most of the film, Mi-sun and her colleagues remain unaware of Kang-moo’s double life, which the film uses to deliver a hearty dose of dramatic irony and situational comedy, as they mistakenly assume that Kang-moo, the devoted ideal husband, is cheating on his wife. These humorous moments feed into the theme of marriage, which, though mostly a minor addition to the action-driven plot, is enjoyable nonetheless.

In addition to its comedic sequences and delightful gags, much of the film’s charm lies in its straightforward yet compelling plot that keeps viewers hooked. The fast pace of the story also adds to its appeal, giving us tense, adrenaline-spiking close-quarter action sequences combined with bombastic, machine-gun-style, phenomenally choreographed combat scenes, thrilling high-stakes chases, and surprising plot twists.

What makes the film even more enjoyable are the great performances from its star-studded cast. Hwang Jung-min (Narco-Saints) plays the role of Kang-moo and easily showcases his character’s duality through his performance.

Yeom Jung-ah, who has become a household name worldwide from her unforgettable performance as Han Seo-jin in SKY Castle, takes on the role of the fearless Mi-sun, the number two shooter in Asia. Other renowned names include Kim Joo-hun, Jeon Hye-jin, and Kim Joon-han.

Mission: Cross may not be groundbreaking, but it offers just the right mix of comedy, action, and thrills. With its well-structured, fast-paced plot, satisfying action, and great cast, it’s an entertaining watch, perfect for a Friday night with a bowl of popcorn and a cola!

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