Although the actual Devil fails to make an appearance, rest assured, this movie is filled with vile, unholy things that would make him proud. A simple description technically covers most of the plot: A serial killer takes his latest victim and her fiancee vows revenge. Any chance this movie is six kinds of bat-shit crazy? Hint: it's Korean.
Yes oh yes the answer is yes. First of all, the fiance is some kind of Korean James Bond (KJB) super spy with all the gadgets and fighting skills you would imagine. Second of all, the serial killer (Oldboy? Oh boy! Oldboy!) is the meanest motherfucker since Leroy Brown. His friend, another serial killer, and a cannibal to boot, seems to be afraid of him so that tells you plenty: the serial killer that other serial killers are afraid of.
This movie has a wicked, dark, dark, DARK sense of humor. What else could you say about a three man knife fight staged in a small car speeding down a treacherous, deserted mountain highway in the middle of the night? Hilarious! I'm not sure if I was supposed to laugh, but when a policeman drops an evidence box and a head rolls out onto the ground to the joy of the assembled news crews, I think I had to laugh to keep from losing my mind. Also, its pretty funny to see serial killers sitting around talking shop over dinner.
You're never in any danger of forgetting which character is the hero or villain, but KJB starts to turn surprisingly evil for a hero; starts early too. When he has a list of suspects for his fiancee's murder, you better believe he doesn't quietly stalk them to figure out which one it is. If he catches Oldboy, a quick death or turning him over to the authorities is not on his mind.
Sometimes this movie is painfully grief-stricken. Sometimes it is turn-away-from-the-screen violent. It is frequently quite scary and quite suspenseful. Above all its beautifully photographed. Every scene, from snow falling on the road side to a deserted greenhouse to a doctor's office to a busy street to a rest stop bathroom to houses and apartments both large and small, is lovingly and painstakingly crafted. It almost feels wrong for a movie this dark to be so damn gorgeous.
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