Latex – Movie Review & Film Summary

Jeong Su has psychometric powers. Whenever he touches an item, he can read the memories that are associated with it. The strange ability appeared suddenly, and he has been stuck with it ever since. This gift allows Jeong Su to intrude on people's past experiences. By touching someone's belongings, he can find out what they were doing previously.

Jeong Su uses his psychometric powers to make money by pretending to be a shaman. He claims to have divine abilities and offers psychic readings to his clients. In reality, he touches their belongings to uncover their concerns. Then, Jeong Su provides advice based on what he learns. His charade works. Many customers believe in his powers and regularly book appointments with him.

Jeong Su runs the shaman business with his friend, Su Hyeon, one of the few people who knows about his secret powers. Su Hyeon handles the administrative work and helps make the shaman act more convincing. Behind the scenes, he often teases Jeong Su about his dramatic roleplaying, especially since Jeong Su enjoys getting into character. The two have known each other for years and even hooked up once, but they stayed close afterward.

Although Jeong Suhs psychometric ability is powerful, it can be a burden. He constantly wears latex gloves to avoid reading memories from objects, even in the shower. Despite the inconvenience, Jeong Su also uses his powers to his advantage when hooking up with guys. By learning about their past, he makes it easier to charm them. Jeong Su is a carefree playboy who enjoys casual one-night stands. He has no intention of settling down anytime soon.

Jeong Su enjoys bragging to Su Hyeon about his many conquests. Unlike Jeong Su, Su Hyeon is less sexually experienced. He came out of the closet late in life and believes that delayed his ability to connect with others. The two often argue whether Jeong Su's psychometry is the secret to his success with guys. Jeong Su insists his charm is the real reason and claims the powers are just a bonus. Unbeknownst to him, Su Hyeon has been secretly meeting with Gi Hwan, another shaman. Gi Hwan has the power to remove Jeong Su's psychometry.

Psychometry is the ability to read memories from objects or people by touching them. I first came across this concept in a K-drama and thought it was a creative idea for a story. Instead of a straight couple as the leads, I wanted to see it with a gay twist. Thankfully, Latex delivers just that. The main character has this same ability, and the movie's title refers to the gloves he wears to avoid activating his powers. While Latex isn't the first to explore this premise, the innovative plot still intrigues me.

Viewers are naturally curious about psychometry and want to see it in action. Latex demonstrates this through a few creative scenarios. We see how Jeong Su uses his ability to make money, pretending to be a shaman to give psychic predictions. In truth, he reads his clients' memories and guesses the future. His talent also helps him romantically. He has the perfect pick-up lines to woo men after learning their backgrounds. Like a superhero, Jeong Su fascinates us with his extraordinary powers. The story's appeal comes from seeing the clever ways he applies his psychometry in everyday situations.

The K-drama I watched, He Is Psychometric, is longer, has a bigger budget, and explores the concept more deeply. A short film like Latex can't compete against that. However, it does have unique advantages. The lead is gay, which you won't find in a mainstream series. Also, the story isn't restricted by censorship. This freedom allows it to explore Jeong Su's love life, particularly sex. I was curious about how psychometry would impact physical intimacy, but Latex skips over this topic. It feels like a missed opportunity, not highlighting how his power may bring complications.

Jeong Su is a proud playboy who hooks up with multiple men throughout the film. These encounters are forgettable, consisting of straightforward sex scenes that add little to the story. He also has a romantic arc with his best friend, Su Hyeon. While their dynamic is intriguing, they only interact a few times and need more development to build the sexual tension. In a 25-minute movie, the focus on psychometry overshadows the romance, leaving their relationship underexplored. The couple lacks meaningful moments together to make viewers care about them.

The movie's most passionate moment is a sex scene between Jeong Su and Gi Hwan, but the execution falls flat. The performers seem half-hearted by giving sloppy kisses where their lips don't align. Their physical intimacy looks unconvincing on screen. Besides that one exception, Jeong Su's actor (Choi Kwang Won) does a decent job. He captures the character's spunky personality well, bringing flair, sass, and a touch of arrogance. I also enjoy his playful rapport with Su Hyeon. If only they shared more scenes together, I may have championed them as a couple.

Latex concludes with a plot twist in the final scene. I appreciate the ending's ingenuity, which introduces complexity to the character motivations instead of simply a straightforward conclusion. However, I wish the narrative was longer than just 25 minutes. The psychometry concept is fascinating, but the film only shows a few scenarios and touches lightly on its potential. As much as I admire Latex's creativity, it doesn't satisfy me completely. I want a longer BL drama that can explore the unique premise in greater detail and deliver the depth this movie lacks.