You know those movies where the good guy arrests the bad guy instead of killing him or her? Or the one where the bad guys dies and it’s over so quickly that you feel cheated and you’re yelling at the screen “He needed to suffer, suffer and then die.” I hope that’s not just me?
Anyway I Saw the Devil is not one of those movies.
This is a movie about revenge, about making the bad guy pay for every second of pain he caused you. This is a movie that makes you wonder how cruel and sadistic you could be if faced with the same type of monster.
I never felt sorry for the bad guy – not once, but the revenge began to leave a sour taste in my mouth and I wondered if it was worth it. When Kim Soo-hyeon is done, when he finally kills Kyung-chul does he feel vindicated? Will he look back on the horrors he’s committed, on the taint left on his soul, and be happy?
This is an amazingly well done movie. I was riveted and disgusted the whole time. It mentions sexual violence, and we see a young girl about to be raped and a young woman who is forced to strip and perform oral sex, both are stopped by our hero. This is not a movie for children and only for older teens if you think they can handle graphic realistic sadistic violence.
If you have ever wanted to see a movie where the good guy kicks ass and the bad guy suffers for his crimes, then this is the movie for you.
I could even look away from the trailer, Alica. Looks powerful.
This is why I should proofread even my comments. I COULDN’T look away from the trailer. 🙂
LOL- I always make mistakes like that- I’m so glad to now I’m not the only one! It is powerful and intense I recommend having a pillow or something to hide behind as you watch it.
It looks just as good as that Kevin Bacon movie where he gets revenge for some thugs killing his son at the local 7/11. At the end of that movie, you have seen so much violence it’s almost unbelievable. And the result for the viewer as well as Kevin Bacon is that Kevin has become just as much of a thug as the thugs that killed his son.
Patti
Yes- it does have that theme, our hero is more then dark, he’s bloody and broken by the end. It’s a very well done movie- but wow is it hard to watch.
Thanks Patti!
This looks really interesting. The guitar tune–perhaps house of the rising sun–appealed to me, too.
Revenge movies interest me. And your comments about this one made me realize why. You mentioned a taint left of the protagonist’s soul. I think when someone goes out for this kind of revenge, they feel they have lost the part of themselves that separates them from the villain. They have, in essence become the villain, and that it’s the villain’s worst nightmare. What is interesting–and satisfying–to see is the villain getting a taste of his own medicine.
As for the aftermath…is there one? Of course, in Kill Bill, we see Uma Thurman crying in a nasty motel bathroom. But in other movies like I Spit on Your Grave, it just ends. I did wonder what happened to the protagonist of that one. If you’ve lost enough of your humanity, do you ever go back to your regular life?
Good, thought provoking post. 😀
Thanks Catie- I think you’d like this movie, it’s very raw and gritty and the serial killer- they gave me the shivers. We do see our hero at the end so we get some aftermath- I won;t spoil it in case you do get a chance to watch it.
While I never felt sorry for the bad guy I did have to wonder how far the hero was going to take things- the answer pretty damn far!
Remember subtitles, not dubbing it can ruin a good movie.
Sounds gripping and powerful, Alica. I love films that hit up tough, even dark, issues…especially when the good guys win!
He wins, but is he still the good guy when he does? It’s a great movie- I hope you get a chance to rent it- just make sure to do the subtitles bad dubbing would ruin this movie.
Interesting post, Alica. And no you’re not alone. I often want to shout at the screen that the bad dude should suffer more. But then there’s that “taint” on the soul you talked about. So, how much is too much? When do we become the evil that we were fighting?
It’s true, when do you stop being the good guy? This is a tough movie to watch but amazingly well done.
I think I should save this one for when I’m in a bad mood. Maybe after driving in DC traffic, or after dealing with the moron in the next office who whistles all day.
LOL- yes go into this movie ready for violence and the bad guy suffering, because he suffers a lot, and yet from the hero’s POV not enough. Really, it’s a good movie. I hope you get a chance to watch it.
I can’t handle a lot of graphic violence, so I think this movie would be too much for me.
What you said about “the revenge began to leave a sour taste in my mouth and I wondered if it was worth it” was a really good point. Even if we’re justified in taking revenge, even if the person really does deserve to be punished, I think it does damage us to hurt someone else. It closes that gap a little between us and them, which is the exact opposite of what we want.
Thank you Marcy- I agree it’s so easy to allow our bitterness and anger turn us into what we are working against.