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Premiering on July 18, Netflix’s new Korean film 84㎡ presents a chilling portrayal of the dark undercurrents behind the dream of homeownership in Seoul. The psychological thriller begins with a familiar premise—noise between neighbors—but quickly escalates into a sharp social commentary on real estate, debt, and collective hysteria.

The story centers on Woo-sung (played by Kang Ha-neul), a so-called “Yeonggeul-jok” who scraped together every last bit of financing to purchase an 84-square-meter apartment in Seoul. But his dream soon turns into a nightmare as mysterious, persistent noises from below trigger conflict and paranoia. As complaints and accusations escalate, tensions spread throughout the building, and no clear culprit emerges.

Directed by Kim Tae-joon—best known for Unlocked—84㎡ begins with witty social satire but gradually shifts into a tense thriller. The film captures the volatile cocktail of anxiety, blind optimism, and greed that permeates Korea’s overheated housing market. One character justifies their investment with, “Seoul real estate always goes up,” while another pins their hopes on the upcoming GTX high-speed rail. As risky investments and cryptocurrency schemes unravel, the film hurtles toward collapse.

Actor Seo Hyun-woo delivers an intense performance as Jin-ho, a volatile tenant whose interactions underscore the clash between buyers, renters, residents, and speculators. The search for the source of the noise leads to a bitter realization: the entire apartment complex was the target of a single investor’s gap speculation. The film suggests that in this system of unchecked ambition, there are no innocent parties—only victims and perpetrators of a deeper structural violence.

Rather than relying on over-the-top twists, 84㎡ focuses on character dynamics and layered storytelling. It draws the viewer into its world with satire, then leaves them with sobering questions about greed, inequality, and the invisible costs of ownership. While the final act may feel slightly overstuffed, the film’s social critique remains sharp and timely.

84㎡ is rated 15+ and runs for 118 minutes.