It's hard to watch Kook-hee's story unfold with any real sympathy. He's not even very competent at being a gangster.

There is a lot going on in “Bogotá: City of the Lost” — shootings, explosions, backstabbing and double-crossings. But when it’s all over, you realize that it was mostly much ado about nothing.

Corruption lurks in every corner of the film, yet the storytelling fails to capitalise on its potential. Instead of delving deeper into the complexities of this theme, the narrative feels oversimplified, as if it’s being dumbed down for the audience.

Kim offers keen visual sensibilities and a potentially rich premise, but Bogota: City of the Lost doesn’t quite fulfill its potential.