I Saw the Devil

2011

I Saw the Devil

Critics Consensus

Never flinching during its descent into depravity, I Saw the Devil is a pulverizing thriller that will give bloody satisfaction to audiences who like their revenge served with fiery rage.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 82

87%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 18,225
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Movie Info

I SAW THE DEVIL is a shockingly violent and stunningly accomplished tale of murder and revenge from Korean genre master KIM Jee-woon (The Good, The Bad, The Weird and A Tale of Two Sisters). Oldboy's CHOI Min-sik plays Kyung-chul, a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. The embodiment of pure evil, he has committed horrifying and senselessly cruel serial murders on defenseless victims, successfully eluding capture by the police. On a freezing, snowy night, his latest victim is the beautiful Ju-yeon, daughter of a retired police chief and pregnant fiancée of elite special agent Soo-hyun (The Good, The Bad, The Weird's LEE Byung-hyun). Obsessed with revenge, Soo-hyun decides to track down the murderer, even if doing so means becoming a monster himself. And when he finds Kyung-chul, turning him in to the authorities is the last thing on his mind. The lines between good and evil fall away in this diabolically twisted game of cat and mouse. Pushing the concept of revenge to its most extreme limits, KIM Jee-woon brilliantly transcends the police procedural and serial killer genres in surprising and thrilling new ways. -- (C) Magnet

Cast

Lee Byung-hun
as Soo-hyun
Choi Min-sik
as Kyung-chul
Chun Kook-Haun
as Capt. Jang
Ho-jin Chun
as Detective Oh
San-ha Oh
as Ju-yeon
Yoon-seo Kim
as Se-yeon
Choi Moo-seong
as Tae-ju
Kim In-Seo
as Se-jung
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Critic Reviews for I Saw the Devil

All Critics (82) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (16)

  • There's no shortage of Korean revenge-thrillers, but this, along with the recent The Man from Nowhere, proves there is plenty of life left in the genre.

    Apr 28, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Phelim O'Neill

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • A remorseless catalogue of calculated violence, casual cannibalism and sexual sadism, this inflicts over two hours of suffering on the audience...

    Apr 27, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

    Nigel Floyd

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • There is no denying that Kim Jee-woon is a phenomenal director, wrenching visceral thrills, dark humour and even occasionally an element of surprise, from all his stock set-pieces.

    Apr 27, 2011

    Anton Bitel

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • This is the stuff of nightmares, where even the good guy is bad, and as shock cinema goes, it packs a punch.

    Apr 15, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Tom Long

    Detroit News
    Top Critic

  • We lucky westerners get to see it in all its hair-raising, stomach-churning glory, and that's a wonderful thing.

    Apr 13, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4

    Rene Rodriguez

    Miami Herald
    Top Critic

  • A terrific but uncompromising film that's definitely not for everyone. It's not just that the violence is graphic, but that much of it is so mean-spirited.

    Mar 25, 2011 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Calvin Wilson

    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for I Saw the Devil

  • Dec 29, 2016
    "Don't act so weak... this is just the beginning. Remember... your nightmare's only getting worse!" original in its conveyance of revenge. wheras all previous of the genre have tended towards an action theme eventually concluding with the act of revenge, i saw the devil is the act of revenge throughout. min-sik choi plays the bastard so well and byung-hun lee plays the avenging stalker astutely. jee-woon kim adds another quality feature to his already astonishing catalogue.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Oct 21, 2013
    The extremely graphic nature of this otherwise generic action/revenge thriller, is definitely not for the squeamish. Although sadistic, repulsive and pointless in its subject matter, the approach is strangely stylish and engaging throughout. Not a pleasant experience, but intense and hard to forget.
    Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
  • Jan 28, 2013
    Once the credits start rolling, and you reflect on the film you've just seen, it will be hard to find flaws in 'I Saw the Devil.' Ji-woon Kim's direction is top notch, and he keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat the entire film. Min-sik Choi's's acting is incredible, and Byung-hun Lee is no slouch himself. Quite simply, this film is amazing. Grade: B+
    Sunny D Super Reviewer
  • Jan 10, 2013
    A bold and electrifying new breed of revenge film. A shockingly violent and stunningly well made piece of work that`s truly unforgettable and mind-blowing. A bloody, stylish, gripping and absolutely terrifying movie that`s a memorable step forward in the genre. A bone-chilling and heart-pounding adrenaline-charged edge of your seat thriller. A frightening masterpiece that is truly a must-see. Director, Ji-woon Kim crafts one of his most accomplished and brilliant films so far. Revenge films don't get more shocking or exhilarating than this. It`s the real deal. Byung-hun Lee and Min-sik Choi are absolutely sensational. Choi is sadistically brilliant. Lee is magnificent. A spectacular showdown of a cat and mouse game. An intense and powerful thrill-ride that leads you a gut-rotting and breathtaking finish.
    Al S Super Reviewer
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