[FILM REVIEW] Pretty Crazy (2025)

We’ve all had our share of quirky neighbours but in Pretty Crazy, your neighbour is devilishly crazy. Literally.

When Gil-goo (Ahn Bo-hyun) quits his office job, he drifts into a nightly routine of crane machines and convenience store runs. He is so good at claw machines that his apartment quickly turns into a warehouse of stuffed toys. His monotonous life shifts when he meets Seon-ji (Im Yoon-ah), a cheerful, well-mannered baker at a new neighbourhood shop—and coincidentally, his newly-moved downstairs neighbour.

Gil-goo is instantly charmed…until one late-night encounter reveals a completely different Seon-ji. Gone is the sweet, soft-spoken baker; in her place is a brash, heavy-makeup-wearing wild child. It is not just an act—her father, Jang-su (Sung Dong-il), secretly tails her every night to keep her in check. After proving his reliability, Gil-goo is tasked with watching over Seon-ji. As their nightly adventures unfold and sparks begin to fly, the film reveals the emotional, and supernatural, secret behind Seon-ji’s dual nature, adding unexpected depth to what first seems like a straightforward rom-com.

With leads like Ahn Bo-hyun and Im Yoon-ah, Pretty Crazy comes with star power. Known for his tough-guy roles (Flex X Cop), he proves he can just as easily play a lovable softie. Im Yoon-ah, meanwhile, shines in her second collaboration with director Lee Sang-geun after the hit Exit (2019). Switching between two drastically different personas, she delivers one of her most versatile performances to date.

That said, the film stumbles when it comes to romance. While the leads undeniably share chemistry, Gil-goo’s unwavering devotion often feels unearned, with little groundwork laid for why he is so drawn to Seon-ji. As a result, the “romantic” in this romantic comedy sometimes falls flat.

Director Lee Sang-geun, who deftly blended comedy and disaster in Exit, attempts another genre fusion here—romantic comedy, drama, horror, and even a dash of the supernatural. Originally meant to be his debut project, Pretty Crazy feels ambitious and entertaining, even if its balance isn’t as seamless as his past work.

Still, thanks to its strong cast and quirky premise, Pretty Crazy makes for an offbeat, entertaining watch.