I Saw the Devil Review

Let me start this review by saying if you are squeamish or simply don't like dark and twisted tales that relish in their violence turn away NOW. This movie is savage in its depiction of revenge, a genre of film that has become fun and exciting in American cinema with the likes of Taken and Death Wish. If you can't stomach a movie filled with long and extended scenes of extremely graphic violence and sadistic behavior then stop reading, ignore the review and walk away, you will be better off in the long run. I Saw the Devil is without a doubt the most twisted and gleefully sadistic revenge film your ever likely to see. A movie that delves deep into the concept of revenge and obsession; a film that doesn't shy away from its harsh reality and its soul crushing consequences. 

I Saw the Devil is one of many recent Korean films that have really begun to challenge the Hollywood movie making machine. Offering up unique and inspired films that are only just beginning to become strong alternatives to the increasingly shallow and passionless movies coming out of Hollywood these days. Directed by Kim Ji-woon, I Saw the Devil begins traditionally enough, though slightly more violent; a killer kidnaps, tortures, rapes and then murders a young woman whose car breaks down. Like most revenge films, the husband of said victim turns out to be a highly proficient and confident special government agent and with the news of his wife's' murder he sets out to track down and seek revenge on the man that killed her.

Interestingly this plot actually resolves itself about 45 minutes into the film. What follows is a series of increasingly bat-shit insane cat-and-mouse sequences with our protagonist, played emotionally subtle and viscerally violent by Lee Byung-hun, prolonging his revenge on the man that killed his wife. I Saw the Devil does a masterful job of keeping up its intoxicating pace, not one of breakneck speed, but of dishing out revenge with no end in sight. The director Kim gives the audience what it wants, painful justice to the killer but then brilliantly Kim serves this dish again and again. Eventually these two men have done so many horrible things to each other and have become obsessed with trying to "win" and wreak revenge that you start to see the horrors of this path. Its genius really; most audiences want to see the serial killer get whats coming, instead they get that and then some, until the viewers are begging for the film to stop.

If you can stomach the violence, which is never glorified just harsh and unrelenting. This is a masterfully crafted film with a haunting score and engaging and transformative performances by its two leads. This is a film by a man who clearly loves his craft its audience subversive and yet totally appealing. I Saw the Devil is an inspired take on your typical revenge film that will leave a lasting impression, a horrifying one, but a strong impression nonetheless.

(5 out of 5)