Cinematic Treasure Trove - #6 I Saw The Devil

"I Saw the Devil" is a 2010 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Kim Jee-woon. The movie follows the story of a secret agent, Kim Soo-hyun (played by Lee Byung-hun), who seeks revenge against a sadistic serial killer, Jang Kyung-chul (played by Choi Min-sik), after the latter murders his fiance.

The film opens with Kim's fiance, Joo-yeon (played by Oh San-ha), being brutally murdered by Jang Kyung-chul. Kim becomes obsessed with catching the killer and seeks help from his colleagues in the National Intelligence Service to track down Jang.

After capturing Jang, Kim unleashes a brutal and relentless campaign of torture against him, determined to make him pay for his crimes. However, as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that Kim's methods are becoming increasingly cruel and depraved, and that he may be losing sight of his initial goal.

The film is known for its extreme violence and graphic depictions of torture, as well as its exploration of the psychological effects of revenge. It received mixed reviews upon release, with some critics praising its technical skill and intense performances, while others criticized it for its extreme violence and nihilistic tone.

Kim was forced by the Korea Media Rating Board to make cuts to the film due to its violent content in order to release it theatrically. The film was rated "Restricted" twice, preventing it from being released in theaters or on home video and for promotional purposes. A total of seven cuts were made, resulting in the removal of eighty to ninety seconds of material from the original runtime.

"I Saw the Devil" premiered in South Korea on August 12, 2010. It also screened at various international film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival in January 2011, the Fantasporto Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival, and the London Korean Film Festival.

Magnet Releasing acquired the North American distribution rights for the film, releasing it in a limited capacity on March 4, 2011. In the United Kingdom, Optimum Releasing distributed the film.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, "I Saw the Devil" has a score of 81%, with a weighted average of 7.2/10, based on 85 reviews from critics. The website's "Critics Consensus" describes the film as a "pulverizing thriller that will give bloody satisfaction to audiences who like their revenge served with fiery rage," and commends the film for not flinching during its descent into depravity. On Metacritic, the film received "Generally favorable reviews," with a weighted average of 67 out of 100, based on 19 reviews.

Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times praised the film for its impressive set pieces and the filmmakers' control of the film's fluctuating tones. Mark Olson of the Los Angeles Times also commended the film's emotional depth, calling it unrelentingly sad. Rob Nelson from Variety praised the film's careful structure and visceral engagement, despite the repugnant content. Bloody Disgusting's Brad Miska called the film an experience and emotionally invested in the characters. Empire rated the film four out of five, calling it a gleefully black horror-thriller.

However, not all critics were favorable towards the film's brutality. Mark Jenkins of The Washington Post criticized the film's script, calling it unworthy of the director's efforts. Elizabeth Kerr of The Hollywood Reporter found the film offensive.

Despite mixed reviews, "I Saw the Devil" has gained a cult following over the years. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as one of the top 20 scariest movies you've never seen, and in 2019, Paste named it the best horror film of 2010, praising its ultimate conclusion as one of the great, empty victories of horror cinema in the 2010s.

Overall, "I Saw the Devil" is a powerful and disturbing film that explores the darker side of humanity and the consequences of seeking revenge. It is not recommended for those with a weak stomach or those who are easily disturbed by violence.