When a serial killer happens upon a broken down car with an innocent girl sitting inside, he can't resist the temptation to make her his next victim. Little does he know that this particular girl is the love interest to a CIA special-operative; one that will stop at nothing to avenge her violent death. A cat-and-mouse chase ensues until the very end. Director Kim Jee-woon has crafted a suspenseful thriller that will send shivers up your spine as you witness the most elaborate revenge tale ever projected onto the big screen.
What can I say, I love horror films. Granted I stay away from the recently popular 'torture porn' sub-genre, but if you can give me a halfway decent story and some credible acting, I'm all over it. Luckily for me, Jee-woon's I Saw the Devil features an intriguing story, interesting characters, a ton of blood and violence and one hell of an ending.
Lee Byung-hun does an excellent job at depicting our outraged fiancé. When he first learns of his lovers demise, you can clearly see the emotional impact it has on him. The next two hours comprise a ruthless game of cat-and-mouse; one that reaches new heights when the hunter becomes the hunted. The end result is nothing that you would expect, sending you to the edge of your seat as you look on in utter shock and dismay.
I will say that I Saw the Devil is grotesque and unrelenting. Shielding your eyes is not an option, not with a story like this, so be prepared to witness it all. Additionally, the run time sits at just under two-and-a-half hours. A few scenes could have been cut, that much is obvious, but you should be aware. The action never stops and there is never a minute of so-called 'down time.' The film is addicting, be ready for it and you will not leave the theater disappointed.
