The Throne is a perfect example of turgid, by-the-numbers Korean historical drama. This looong story of about a medieval king who infamously locked his son in a rice chest for 8 days until he died is full of weeping and tearful emotion, full of pretty costumes, and utterly lacking in narrative propulsion.
Despite the usually engaging presence of Song Kang-ho (The Foul King, The Host), the cast simply can’t make much headway. Everyone seems locked in place like Prince Sado in his death box – I started to feel the same way after about an hour.
1 1/2 stars out of 4 (Below average) for the film.