I SAW THE DEVIL (9)

I first avoided this film because of how violent and sadistic it is. I mean, it’s controversial enough that only after the *third* cut the Korean Ratings Board granted it wide release. After gaining enough courage... I can tell you that I SAW THE DEVIL.

PRE-TRIP

Out in stores, on Netflix, reviews, “ top foreign movies list” etc., I’ve come across this film so many times but never get down to watch it. While it sounds like a conventional thriller, agent exacts revenge after his wife is murdered by a psycho women serial killer, the similarity ends there. Other than that, many have agreed that the film is brutal, gross, scary, horrifying, beautiful, psychological, badass, controversial, “I can’t help but look” and similar terms. The trailer is tense and well-edited, yet showing none of the bits that make I SAW THE DEVIL the talk of the town. Still don’t think I’ve prepared for what’s in store but what the heck, let’s have an adventure, even though it might not be so pleasant. Gulps.

8 out of 10.

POST-TRIP

A word or two about the director, KIM JEE-WOON. One of the top dogs of Korean cinema, I begin to take note of him after delivering the best horror film I’ve ever seen called A TALE OF TWO SISTERS. DREAMWORKS eventually remakes the film - THE UNINVITED - and while not bad, is no match in terms of acting, atmosphere and artistry seen in the original by JEE-WOON.

And all of that are on display again in I SAW THE DEVIL.

I just can’t stress this enough: the film is *sick*, slang and literal-wise. Thanks to LEE MO-GAE’s stunning camerawork, this has got to be one of the prettiest and atmospheric thriller I’ve seen recently. Slow-tracking and predator-like movements, along with MOWG’s strangely soft and acoustic-heavy  score, act as a warm-up for all the *very* disturbing and depraved things that lie ahead. The killing sequences are brutal, the action bits relentless and the drama parts affecting - all thanks to brilliant acting from the two lead actors.

Choi Min-Sik

Both men (G.I. JOE’s LEE BYUNG-HUN and CHOI MIN-SIK of OLDBOY fame) are at war - and it is their conflict that drives the film forward. However, whatever differences both men have are blurred as the film reaches its climax, and like the gorgeous-but-soon-will-turn-nasty winter backdrop, viewers get to see how cold both of them are.  Despite ages apart, possibly ‘acting generations’ apart as well, both BYUNG-HUN and MIN-SIK invest 100% in their roles, even though the script seems to favor MIN-SIK as the psycho killer by giving him more opportunities to display different mannerisms. BYUNG-HUN, however, has the most expressive set of eyes in recent memory.

Lee Byung-Hun

Could this be true? A perfect movie?! Only almost. By the third act there is one sequence where suspension of disbelief is required. Pity because most of the movie is quite realistic up to this point. Get past this part though and you will be treated with a thought-provoking ending. Yes, I said it, a thought-provoking ending after all the bloodshed.

In short, I can say revenge is served at its coldest in I SAW THE DEVIL, a gorgeous, disturbing and highly satisfying thriller.

9 out of 10.

MOMENTS THAT LINGER

- First body recovered. All the elements are spot-on - acting, music, photography and pacing.

- In-taxi assault. You will wonder how did the director do it. Try not to squirm though.

- That ending. It will stay with you.