A truly arresting introduction to Korean neo-noir.
While the visceral violence has been mimicked to exhaustion since its debut, one clearly perceives its trailblazing influence here. The aesthetic palette is quite exquisite, perfectly framing the superb performances of the central trio.
However, the final 45 min are what truly captivate; those twin narrative rug-pulls are utterly transformative and profoundly unsettling. Though the gore feels less revolutionary by today’s standards, the film remains a potent, beautifully crafted piece of cinematic vengeance.
A solid 7.5/10 for this evocative, long-overdue first viewing.
