Streaming Sleepers: In Jo Ba-Reun’s SLATE, Ahn Ji-Hye Crosses Worlds To Follow Her Dreams
I think a lot of us who watch and consume films featuring action and sci-fi and big-scale spectacle have done so largely due to our own inspiration from many of the screen heroes we’ve looked up to from the cradle. Filmmaker Jo Ba-reun’s latest, Slate, definitely takes some cues from that concept for this story, albeit indirectly, with none other than Ahn Ji-hye in her latest screen role after Han Ka-ram’s 2019 drama, Our Body.
Ahn plays Yeon Hee, a would-be action star sick of stunt double gigs and looking for a shot at the lead role for a new project about to shoot. Her’s is a drive that stems from childhood dreams of wanting to be a “heroine,” a hope that she ultimately carries with her while one day journeying onto a vacant set and stumbling into a portal, landing her in a parallel world – a version of the warring states era where the clothes are modern and the sword remains a way of life, including those living above the law.
Unconvinced of her newfound whereabouts for a time, the facts soon become clear to her when she crosses paths with a long-lost YouTuber trapped in the same dimension, who explains all that’s happened. This, coupled with the increasing imminent danger of tax-hiking bandits employed by an evil, dying warlord named Taepyeongso and his two ideologically opposed protégés, will compel her to forge herself into the heroine she believes she needs to be. Still, it will take more than a sturdy prop sword, and iron will if she is to defend the weak and defeat Taepyeongso (Park In-soo) and his ruthless Dragon Clan army, led by protégés Philip (Park Tae-san) and “Priest” (Lee Se-ho).
Slate thrives heavily as an upbeat action comedy adventure with an uplifting message. Ahn’s portrayal is convincing enough that her dramatic feats prove equally apt as her physical skill for the role, in a film that largely feels familiar to anyone who’s seen films like Warriors Of Virtue or Last Action Hero, or even Ryoo Seung-wan’s Arahan. Part of the gag here, of course, is when it comes to the co-stars, just about every character we meet gets an alternative version of themselves, which makes it fun to try and spot who is who as the plot thickens.
One downside when it comes to learning Yeon Hee’s childhood motivation is that we don’t get to explore even a little more beyond that, which makes it feel all the more perfunctory and abbreivated in its approach. The only positive here is that the film makes the effort not to languish so that things keep moving, and we get to watch as Yeon Hee is confronted by these issues through sinister ends from one of our main villains; Taepyeongso is the primary antagonist here, and you get to see how he exudes his power midway in the film, which gives you an idea as to the learned abilities of his mentees.
The film also stars Jo Sun-ki, who led the director’s previous effort, Gang, and now joins the cast as “Soul Slayer,” a heroic swordsman of legend who arrives to save the villagers. The result is a case of mistaken identity when the villagers, shephered by Lord Jina (Lee Min-ji), all think Yeon Hee is their savior, which bodes as an interesting precursor for when the two finally meet face to face. There’s some admirable hilarity to find here, particularly as the slayer also manages to befriends a young mute boy upon his arrival.
Crossing swords for everyone on deck is martial arts choreographer Shim Sang-yong (Jo Pil-ho: The Dawning Rage), with Ahn front and center along with actors Jo, Park, and Lee among those getting in on some of the fun. There’s elements of both the practical and fantastical included in the action direction, with the stunts and techniques all performed and shot with ample effect for the viewer, providing a solid banner for Ahn’s footing here in a lead action part.
I’m keen on catching Gang when I get around to it, but I’m glad Slate has since made it to our viewing purview as it quietly landed on platforms like Tubi and Vudu sometime this year (the film is also available in the U.S. through Media Blasters). It’s not the most original flick of its kind and cuts a few corners, but none too deep to make the film a chore to watch. When the clapperboard for Slate sounds off, it’s all eyes on Ahn Ji-hye, and we can only hope to see more of her going forward.
Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!