‘Part-Time Spy’ (2017) is a silly, hilarious action comedy that knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be.
The story follows Jang Young-sil, a woman who finally manages to land a job at the National Security Agency, only to discover that her responsibilities mostly involve writing positive comments online. Not exactly the glamorous spy career she might have imagined! But when her boss falls victim to a voice phishing scam, Young-sil gets the chance to put her skills to a rather different use. Teaming up with Na Jung-an, a foul-mouthed detective, she sets out to recover the stolen money, and things quickly get chaotic.
One of the best things about this film is the dynamic between its two female leads. Young-sil and Jung-an are very different people, and watching them work together is an absolute blast. Their contrasting personalities provide plenty of opportunities for comedy, and neither woman needs to be a perfect action hero to make the story entertaining. In fact, their imperfections are part of what makes them so much fun to watch.
The performances are another major highlight. Gang Ye-won and Han Chae-ah have great comedic chemistry, and they really bring their characters to life. The supporting cast also adds to the fun, helping the film maintain its ridiculous energy without making everything feel completely random. The humour is silly, sometimes over-the-top, but that is exactly where the movie thrives.
I also appreciated the writing. Action comedies can sometimes feel like a collection of disconnected gags and action scenes, but ‘Part-Time Spy’ manages to keep its story cohesive. The plot moves along nicely, the jokes land more often than not, and the action fits naturally into the increasingly absurd situation. It doesn’t try to be particularly deep or reinvent the genre, but it understands that a fun movie still needs a story that holds together.
Overall, ‘Part-Time Spy’ is a thoroughly entertaining watch. It’s silly, it’s hilarious, and it has the performances and snappy writing to back up its comedy. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted, with plenty of ridiculous situations and a fun female-led partnership, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a watch. Sometimes all you need is a movie that makes you laugh, and this one delivers!
Watch it below!
