Emergency Declaration

"Emergency Declaration" is a 2021 South Korean thriller film directed by Han Jae-rim, based on a real-life drama. The movie takes place on a commercial airliner, an A380, which has taken off from Seoul's Incheon International Airport bound for San Francisco International Airport. However, the scenario unfolds in an eerie similarity to the real-life 2001 disappearance of SilkAir Flight 185. As the passengers settle in for the 11.5-hour long-haul flight, a viral terroristic threat spreads rapidly across the globe, catching the attention of the South Korean authorities. Upon further investigation, they discover that a suspect has boarded the flight just hours before takeoff. The threat causes widespread panic, both among passengers and on the ground. Captain Park Tae-oh, played by Lee Byung-hun, is an experienced pilot who is initially unaware of the terroristic threat and the suspect on board. However, as the plane encounters turbulence and suddenly experiences mechanical malfunctions, he begins to investigate the cause of the disruptions. The initial signs of trouble start to unfold when a young Korean female passenger, Kim Soo-jin, played by Kim Sung-oh, suddenly becomes violently ill and later dies in an uncontrollable, grotesque fashion. The mysterious death and the mechanical malfunctions create chaos on the aircraft. Passengers start to panic and speculate about the possible reasons behind the events unfolding on the plane. With international authorities unaware of the terroristic threat and refusing to cooperate, the crew is left with limited resources to save their fellow human beings. As the flight attendants, led by Captain Park, struggle to maintain order, they begin to suspect that there may be a human factor involved in the mysterious death. In their search for answers, they face increasing resistance and hostility from the remaining passengers, fueled by fear and paranoia. Meanwhile, the crew is informed by air traffic control that they are rapidly running low on fuel and are being denied overflight rights from neighboring countries, leaving them stranded mid-air with no immediate assistance in sight. As the situation spirals out of control, the pilots and flight attendants are forced to take extreme measures to save the passengers. In a desperate bid to keep the plane afloat while also ensuring the safety of the passengers, Captain Park is left with two options: either divert to a Chinese or Japanese airport and land, risking the possibility of the infected passenger on board potentially causing a pandemic on a large scale, or follow an unlikely route, which could allow the plane to land safely, albeit after a much longer time. Torn by the dilemma, Captain Park must exercise a combination of skill, courage, and leadership skills. In doing so, he puts the interests of his passengers and crew ahead of personal risks. Ultimately, he makes a decision which is not only pivotal to resolving the crisis but also reflects the human desire to live and protect all lives, despite the uncertainty and chaos around him. "Emergency Declaration" is an emotionally charged, tense thriller film that raises the stakes and the human element in the context of extreme crisis. Directed by Han Jae-rim, the movie delivers an enthralling narrative which captures both the physical and psychological turmoil unfolding on the doomed flight. The movie leaves viewers questioning how far they might go to rescue themselves from a crisis and, in doing so, the resilience and determination of human beings in the face of danger are vividly shown through the performances of the lead actors in the film.