Review of I Saw the Devil (2010) by Patryk C — 14 Dec 2012

Koreans love their mystery thrillers gory, and I Saw the Devil is only confirmation of that statement. In this cat-and-mouse narrative, a mad serial killer is gradually getting his comeuppance from the hands of a violent cop, who lost his pregnant girlfriend and is now seeking revenge.

It's a violent, disturbing, and mind-boggling story, where the main character - presumably a protagonist-turned-antagonist - walks a thin line between good and evil. It's a revenge tale made in hell, where gut-wrennching imagery permeates many scenes, resulting in some of the most horrifying on-screen sequences one might see.

Kim Jee-woon picks his actors accurately (great performances by the two Korean stars), and he once again proves that calling him a genre master is perfectly suitable. A satisfying exploration of the nature of evil in itself, and a thrilling, fast-paced intrigue that won't let anyone lose their focus.