Review of I Saw the Devil (2010) by Patrick B — 03 Jul 2011

This has to be one of the greatest revenge movies I have ever seen. For 2 hours and 23 minutes, there are acts of vengeance committed on almost every scene. The movie never gets stale, and it always keeps you guessing as to what will happen next.

It's gloriously violent, but it never feels exploitative. Choi Min-sik also plays one hell of a sadistic serial killer, and seeing Lee Byung-hyun deliver his vengeance against Choi time and time again never gets old.

Then in the last 20 minutes the movie perfectly shifts gears into a suspenseful thrill ride, and the conclusion will leave you horrified like any good thriller should. I absolutely loved this movie. It was violent, twisted, and thrilling as hell.

I don't remember a time where I've been shocked so many times during a movie. "I Saw the Devil" keeps you horrified, and when it doesn't do that, it holds you in suspense. Besides delivering the typical revenge message of "Vengeance doesn't solve anything," it also delivers a more subtle message.

Don't mess with South Koreans.