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Children...

Children...

Five missing children, They never came back.

2011132 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 86th percentile of all films
Director
Kyu-maan Lee
Starring
Park Yong-woo, Ryu Seung-ryong, Sung Ji-ru, Kim Yeo-jin

On March 26, 1991, five boys set off to the mountain to go frog hunting and never come back to their family. While a documentary producer, detective and professor try to solve the mystery of the incident, one of the boys' parents is a suspect.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Children...?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Children... on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Children...?

Children... earns 5 badges, led by Standout acting and Deeply moving.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Children... worth watching?

Children...'s Midcredits score is the 86th percentile of all films, from 5.8K ratings across 4 sources. 75% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

86th percentile

Better received than 86% of films

88th percentile among Crime86th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)83rd
Approval (how many liked it)85th

71 /100

83rd percentile of all films

87th percentile among Crime82nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.2 — solid but not unanimous.

75% liked it

85th percentile of all films

85th percentile among Crime85th percentile among 2010s
75% rated it 7–1025% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

72nd percentile

5.8K ratings across platforms

66th percentile among Crime75th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 10% in 30 days

Box office

Worldwide gross$12M

79th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a sincere, well-acted drama about a real unsolved missing children case that prioritizes emotional weight over pure mystery.

Fans praised

  • grounded, emotionally devastating portrayal of grief
  • superb ensemble acting with natural, believable characters
  • patient direction builds atmosphere and tension without sensationalism

Detractors panned

  • fabricated Hollywood-style ending betrays the real tragedy
  • second half leans into cinematic dramatization rather than raw reality
  • leaves out crucial known evidence about military involvement

What stands out

Acting85

consistently praised as superb, natural, and emotionally truthful even by detractors

Emotional impactDivisive85

devastating grief and anguish powerfully conveyed; detractors feel betrayed by ending

Characters82

well-developed with relatable grief, moral complexity, and realistic arcs

Atmosphere82

intense, immersive, restrained yet deeply unsettling realism

TensionDivisive78

gripping until the end for fans; detractors lose investment due to ending

Pacing60

patient buildup praised by fans; one mixed review says it could trim 15 minutes

Plot and storyDivisive55

polarizing; fans praise watertight structure and revelations, detractors call the ending ludicrous and fabricated

EndingDivisive30

wildly divisive; fans find it ambiguous and haunting, detractors call it insulting and shameful

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Children... like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready to pay close attention and feel heavy feelings, and you want something dark that stays with you.

It is intense and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night or you can only half-watch.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Your full attention, room for heavy feelings and a taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film holds its tragic material with complete earnestness and gravity, never undercutting the emotional weight of the real-life tragedy.
The rideThe film sustains a heavy, sorrowful tension throughout, with the most emotionally devastating moments reserved for the final revelations and the parents' grief.
StructureThe film presents the story chronologically with time jumps (1991, 1996, 2002) following a conventional investigative structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

The answer rests on this: Haunting · 14% of filmsDevastating · 3% of filmsThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you with the weight of the unresolved tragedy and the painful reality of a case that remains unsolved, provoking reflection on the failings of the system.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% (this title) · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

7% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story is driven by the question of what happened to the missing children, with a journalist and professor investigating clues, false accusations, and a later discovery of remains, but the culprit remains unprosecuted.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfGriefSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% (this title) · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

Grief · 6% of filmsJustice · 13% of filmsGuilt · 3% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film focuses on the devastating grief of the families and the community, while also exploring the failures of justice and the guilt carried by those involved.
StanceThe film mourns the lost children and the systemic failures that allowed the case to go unsolved, treating the grief and injustice with solemn respect.

The world

Late 20th centuryRuralUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Shawn Choi
SettingDaegu, South Korea, during the early 1990s frog boys disappearance
MusicThe score underscores the tragedy with somber strings and piano, enhancing the emotional weight.

Content guide

Is Children... okay for kids?

Ratings in 1 other country
  • South Korea15

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Children... have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Children...?

Cast

Park Yong-woo
as Kang Ji-seung
Ryu Seung-ryong
as Hwang Woo-hyeok
Sung Ji-ru
as Jong's father
Kim Yeo-jin
as Jong's mother
Sung Dong-il
as Detective Park
Park Byeong-eun
as Kim Joo-hwan
Kim Gu-taek
as Won-gil's father
Park Mi-hyeon
as Won-gil's mother
Lee Sang-hee
as Yong-ok's father
Jo Deok-jae
as Dong-pil's father

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Children...?

Movies like Children... include Memories of Murder (2003), Silenced (2011) and Night in Paradise (2020). Of the 8 closest matches, most are investigation stories, and half are films set in South Korea.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 8 share its story type: true crime. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Children...?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: journalist. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.