When was Decision to Leave released?

Decision to Leave was originally released on 29 June 2022. In the US it premiered at the New York Film Festival on 8 October 2022, had a limited theatrical release on 14 October 2022 and a wider theatrical release on 21 October 2022.

Where can I watch Decision to Leave in the US?

As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists it streaming on MUBI and the MUBI Amazon Channel. It is also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.

Who is in the cast of Decision to Leave?

Tang Wei plays Song Seo-rae and Park Hae-il plays detective Jang Hae-joon. They are joined by Lee Jung-hyun, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Yong-woo, Kim Shin-young, Yoo Seung-mok, Jung Yi-seo, Jung Young-sook and Lee Hak-ju.

What is Decision to Leave about?

A Busan detective investigates a man's fatal fall from a mountain and comes to suspect the dead man's widow. As he watches her closely, his suspicion turns into an attraction that complicates the case.

How long is Decision to Leave?

The film runs 139 minutes, or 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Decision to Leave (2022): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch

Decision to Leave: Plot Summary (No Spoilers)

Jang Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) is a meticulous police detective in Busan, the kind of investigator who brings his work home and rarely sleeps well. His latest case begins with a climber found dead at the foot of a mountain. Was it an accident, a suicide or something more deliberate? The question leads Hae-joon to the victim’s widow, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), whose calm reaction to the news sets off his professional instincts.

What starts as routine questioning turns into close, almost obsessive observation. Hae-joon studies Seo-rae’s habits, checks her story and listens for what she leaves unsaid, while the two talk across a language barrier that colours every exchange. Phones, audio recordings and translation apps become tools of the investigation. The deeper he looks, the more his attention crosses from suspicion into fascination, and the line between detective and suspect begins to blur.

Set between the mountains and the sea, the film blends a police procedural with a story of forbidden attraction, true to its tagline: “The closer you look, the harder you fall.”

Decision to Leave — Mood illustration, not a still from the film — Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes Decision to Leave Notable

Director: Park Chan-wook, one of South Korea’s best-known filmmakers internationally. He co-wrote the screenplay with his long-time collaborator Chung Seo-kyung.
Cast: Tang Wei and Park Hae-il lead. The supporting cast includes Lee Jung-hyun as Jeong-ahn, Go Kyung-pyo as Soo-wan, Park Yong-woo as Lim Ho-shin, Kim Shin-young, Yoo Seung-mok, Jung Yi-seo, Jung Young-sook and Lee Hak-ju.
Genre mix: Thriller, mystery and romance in one package. It works as a murder investigation and as a slow-burning love story at the same time.
Languages: The film is primarily in Korean, with Mandarin and English also spoken. That multilingual texture is central to the story, not just background detail.
Production: A South Korean film from Moho Film, produced with CJ ENM and CJ Entertainment. It runs 139 minutes (2 hours 19 minutes).

If you are searching for a Decision to Leave review, this guide sticks to what you should know before pressing play. The Drama4U Score on this page summarises audience reception.

Who Will Enjoy It

Fans of Park Chan-wook’s earlier work and of stylish Korean cinema
Viewers who like detective stories with a psychological, character-driven focus
Anyone drawn to ambiguous, slow-burn romances built on tension rather than grand gestures
Audiences who enjoy mysteries that reward close attention to small details
Lovers of international films that play with language and miscommunication

Release Date & Where to Watch Decision to Leave

The film’s original release was on 29 June 2022. In the United States, it premiered at the New York Film Festival on 8 October 2022, followed by a limited theatrical release on 14 October 2022 and a wider theatrical release on 21 October 2022. It is unrated (NR) in the US.

As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists these options in the US:

Streaming: MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel
Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

An official trailer is available. Platform availability can change, so check your service before watching.

Trailer

Cast

Tang Weias Song Seo-rae
Park Hae-ilas Jang Hae-joon
Lee Jung-hyunas Jeong-ahnSee credits →
Go Kyung-pyoas Soo-wan
Park Yong-wooas Lim Ho-shin
Kim Shin-youngas Yeon-su
Yoo Seung-mokas Ki Do-sooSee credits →
Jung Yi-seoas Mi-jiSee credits →

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Decision to Leave released?: Decision to Leave was originally released on 29 June 2022. In the US it premiered at the New York Film Festival on 8 October 2022, had a limited theatrical release on 14 October 2022 and a wider theatrical release on 21 October 2022.
Where can I watch Decision to Leave in the US?: As of 24 October 2026, TMDB/JustWatch data lists it streaming on MUBI and the MUBI Amazon Channel. It is also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home.
Who is in the cast of Decision to Leave?: Tang Wei plays Song Seo-rae and Park Hae-il plays detective Jang Hae-joon. They are joined by Lee Jung-hyun, Go Kyung-pyo, Park Yong-woo, Kim Shin-young, Yoo Seung-mok, Jung Yi-seo, Jung Young-sook and Lee Hak-ju.
What is Decision to Leave about?: A Busan detective investigates a man's fatal fall from a mountain and comes to suspect the dead man's widow. As he watches her closely, his suspicion turns into an attraction that complicates the case.
How long is Decision to Leave?: The film runs 139 minutes, or 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Sources

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