Lee Chang-dong Returns with 'Possible Love,' a Class-Divided Drama Premiering at Venice

Key points

• The film is Lee Chang-dong’s eighth feature, released after an eight-year gap since 'Burning' (2018).
• It is South Korea’s official submission for the International Feature Film Oscar category.
• The plot centers on Mi-ok and Ho-seok, a working-class couple affected by factory layoffs, who connect with Ye-ji and Sang-woo, a wealthy couple.
• Ye-ji is a documentary filmmaker seeking to profile the workers, creating a dynamic of exploitation and genuine connection.
• The film carries a dedication to Krzysztof Kieślowski’s 'Dekalog 10,' focusing on the theme of covetousness.
• It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in competition, receiving a 6.5-minute standing ovation.

Background

Lee Chang-dong is a celebrated South Korean director known for films like 'Secret Sunshine,' 'Poetry,' and 'Burning.' His previous work often explores social issues and human psychology with a restrained, observational style. 'Possible Love' marks his return to feature filmmaking after a significant hiatus, continuing his exploration of class and human relationships in a modern context.

How outlets are covering it

Variety critic Jessica Kiang praises the film as 'quietly colossal,' highlighting its integration of social insight and wit, and commends Jeon Do-yeon’s performance. The Guardian review calls it a 'finely judged' and 'novelistic' work, noting its subtlety in handling the exploitative dynamic between the couples, though it suggests the film is slightly contrived. Time Magazine’s Stephanie Zacharek describes it as a 'delicate drama of love and longing,' emphasizing its relevance to contemporary anxieties about employment and wealth inequality. Deadline’s Pete Hammond compares the class divide to Bong Joon-ho’s 'Parasite' but notes the film’s poignant subtext regarding longing in a fractured world, while acknowledging its nearly three-hour runtime may feel long for some. All outlets agree on the strong performances and the film’s critical acclaim at Venice.

Why it matters

'Possible Love' represents a major return for a leading international auteur and serves as South Korea’s official Oscar entry, signaling a strong contender for the 2027 Academy Awards. Its themes of labor exploitation, class disparity, and the ethics of documentary filmmaking resonate with current global economic anxieties. The film’s critical success at Venice and its wide distribution via Netflix suggest it will have significant cultural impact and audience reach.

What to watch

The film will have a limited theatrical release in the United States starting October 23, 2026. It will become available for streaming on Netflix on November 6, 2026. It will be evaluated for the International Feature Film Oscar in early 2027.