A Dirty Carnival

  • 2006
  • Not Rated
  • 141m
movieMx RATING
7.0/10219
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: A Dirty Carnival Review

Last updated: February 21, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 21, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is A Dirty Carnival (2006) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and A Dirty Carnival features a noteworthy lineup led by Zo In-sung . Supported by the likes of Cheon Ho-jin and Namkoong Min , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of A Dirty Carnival (2006) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, A Dirty Carnival stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: A Dirty Carnival

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2006, A Dirty Carnival is a Crime, Drama, Action film directed by Yoo Ha. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Zo In-sung.

Ending Explained: A Dirty Carnival

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Yoo Ha, A Dirty Carnival resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to crime resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Zo In-sung, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of A Dirty Carnival reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

A Dirty Carnival Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

A Dirty Carnival incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama, action film directed by Yoo Ha, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Zo In-sung's character.

Historical Context

The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: A Dirty Carnival adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch A Dirty Carnival?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Zo In-sung or the director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Box Office Collection: A Dirty Carnival

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $4.7M
Worldwide Gross $10.4M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

A Dirty Carnival Budget

The estimated production budget for A Dirty Carnival is $4.7M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: A Dirty Carnival

All Cast & Crew →
Zo In-sung
Zo In-sungKim Byung-doo
Cheon Ho-jin
Cheon Ho-jinPresident Hwang
Namkoong Min
Namkoong MinNam Min-ho
Lee Bo-young
Lee Bo-youngHyun-joo
Jin Goo
Jin GooJong-soo
Yoon Je-moon
Yoon Je-moonSang-cheol
Sunwoo Eun-Sook
Sunwoo Eun-SookByung-doo's Mother
Cho Jin-woong
Cho Jin-woongYoung-pil
Huh Yi-jae
Huh Yi-jaeKim Seon-ok
Lee Shin-seong
Lee Shin-seongByeong-sik
Kwon Tae-won
Kwon Tae-wonProsecutor Park
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Where to Watch A Dirty Carnival Online?

Streaming Hub

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A Dirty Carnival Parents Guide & Age Rating

2006 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about A Dirty Carnival age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

A Dirty Carnival has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Crime, Drama, Action), it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of A Dirty Carnival is 141 minutes (2h 21m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, A Dirty Carnival is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2006 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for A Dirty Carnival. Rating: 7.0/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Dirty Carnival worth watching?

A Dirty Carnival is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find A Dirty Carnival parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for A Dirty Carnival identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of A Dirty Carnival?

The total duration of A Dirty Carnival is 141 minutes, which is approximately 2h 21m long.

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How A Dirty Carnival Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for A Dirty Carnival

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.0
A Dirty Carnival
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/a-dirty-carnival-23538" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 7.0</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">A Dirty Carnival</div></div></a>

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