Ten movies where the bad guys are from North Korea

Brad Sturdivant December 18th, 2014

7. Stealth (2005) – I’m not sure the North Koreans are really the bad guy in this, but Jessica Biel’s character has to eject over the country after her plane crashes. That sets up a whole sequence where everyone is terrified for her and then a rescue mission commences. Probably the most tame of the bunch, but still North Korea = bad place.

6. SALT (2010) – The North Koreans really went too far when they were torturing one of America’s prized assets; Angelina Jolie. It was all fun and games when Jessica Biel was in danger, but they crossed the line with Angelina Jolie. The dictatorship didn’t play that big of a part in the film, but the opening sequence took place in North Korea and our heroine was released as part of a prisoner exchange. This is just another example where the North Koreans are the bad guys and an American has to save the day.

5. MASH (1970) – Okay, so there aren’t really any bad guys in Robert Altman’s MASH, but I wanted to point out that the film takes place during the Korean War. So the next time you watch it, remember that while Hawkeye and Duke are out picking up women and making jokes, the threat of being bombed by North Korea is always lingering.

4. J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000) – The only non-American film on this list, this one got recognition from me because of director Chan-wook Park’s later films, including OLDBOY and STOKER. This is more of a murder mystery and North Korea isn’t technically the bad guy, but the film works because of the extreme tensions between the two countries as the bulk of the film takes place on the line separating the two countries.