SimilarScreen
May 18

May 18

The day a nation's conscience died.

20076.91h 58m

Overview

The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. Seeing as the soldiers beat defenceless people, mainly students, to death, the citizens are in for retaliation and form a militia.

Directed by Kim Ji-hoon
Written by Na Hyun, Sang-yeon Park
Produced by Park Chang-hyun, Yoo In-taek
0

Top Cast

Kim Sang-kyung

Kim Sang-kyung

Kang Min-woo

Ahn Sung-ki

Ahn Sung-ki

Park Heung-soo

Lee Yo-won

Lee Yo-won

Park Shin-ae

Lee Joon-gi

Lee Joon-gi

Kang Jin-woo

Park Cheol-min

Park Cheol-min

In-bong

Park Won-sang

Park Won-sang

Yong-dae

Song Jae-ho

Song Jae-ho

Priest Kim

Na Moon-hee

Na Moon-hee

Naju-daek

Kwon Tae-won

Kwon Tae-won

Brigadier general Choi

Uhm Hyo-seop

Uhm Hyo-seop

Captain Kim

Themes & Keywords

historical event1980sgwangju uprisinggwangjudemocratization movement

About May 18

May 18 is a drama, history film released in 2007 exploring themes of historical event, 1980s, gwangju uprising, gwangju, democratization movement. Directed by Kim Ji-hoon, it stars Kim Sang-kyung, Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Yo-won. The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. Seeing as the soldiers beat defenceless people, mainly students, to death, the citizens are in for retaliation and form a militia.

Movies Similar to May 18

Discover titles like May 18 — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to May 18

If you enjoyed May 18, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of May 18.

1987: When the Day Comes
39% Match

In January 1987, a 22-year-old college student dies during a police interrogation. Under the orders of Director Park, the police request the body to be cremated in order to destroy evidence. Public Prosecutor Choi, who was on duty on the day of the incident, denies the request and calls for an autopsy. The police maintain the lie that the death was a simple accident, resulting from shock. The autopsy results, however, point to torture as the cause of death. Yoon, a journalist following the case, reports that the death was a result of asphyxiation during torture. Director Park attempts to conceal the truth by ending the case, arresting two detectives including inspector Cho. While in prison, inspector Cho reveals the truth to prison guard Han Byung-yong, who embarks on a dangerous mission to relay the information to an opposition politician through his niece, Yeon-hee.

The Attorney
35% Match

Song Woo-seok is a lawyer with no clients. When his friend's son is falsely accused of a crime and tortured, he takes up the case and the course of his life changes for good.

Peppermint Candy
33% Match

In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho's past flood his mind.

26 Years
28% Match

26 Years(2012)

Movie6.8/10

26 years ago, state troops were ordered to open fire on civilians in the city of Gwangju who were demonstrating as apart of a democratic movement. Thousands of civilians were killed. Now, a shooter from the national team, a gang member, a policeman, CEO from a large company and director of a private security outfit get involved in a plan to assassinate the former dictator responsible for the massacre.

First Man
23% Match

First Man(2018)

Movie7.0/10

A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

The President's Barber
23% Match

A well-meaning but politically naive barber gets pulled into the inner circle of the South Korean dictator Park Chung-Hee, with rather baleful consequences for his hapless family. This sharp political satire covers roughly twenty years in South Korean political history, from the viewpoint of the barber's son.

I Swear
23% Match

I Swear(2025)

Movie8.3/10

Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at 15, John Davidson navigates his way against the odds through troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose in life.

Katyn
22% Match

Katyn(2007)

Movie6.7/10

On September 1st, 1939, Nazi Germany invades Poland, unleashing World War II. On September 17th, the Soviet Red Army crosses the border. The Polish army, unable to fight on two fronts, is defeated. Thousands of Polish men, both military and government officials, are captured by the invaders. Their fate will only be known several years later.

Consent
22% Match

Consent(2023)

Movie6.8/10

In 2013, Vanessa Springora recounts how she found herself under the influence of a famous writer. In 1986, she was 13; him, almost 50. The victim of a triple predation: sexual, literary, and psychic, there's more beyond her individual story. She questions the excesses of an era, and the complacency of an environment blinded by talent and celebrity.

Live and Become
20% Match

In 1980, the black Falashas in Ethiopia are recognised as genuine Jews and are secretly carried to Israel. The day before the transport the son of a Jewish mother dies. In his place and with his name (Schlomo) she takes a Christian 9-year-old boy.

Memories of Murder
19% Match

A sadistic serial rapist and murderer of young women terrorizes a small province in 1980s South Korea. To prevent further crimes, three increasingly desperate detectives with conflicting methods race against time to unravel the violent mind of the killer in a futile effort to solve the case.