I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about it. I did'nt now what it would be about, I did'nt know who directed, and I did'nt know who was in it. I came out astonished. Solid performances all around, but it's lead Kim Yoon-seok who really stands out. His character is unlikable in many ways, but the way the story plays out you can't help but feel compassion towards him. The story is well paced and told amazingly well. The fight scenes are well done and much of the bloody violence is almost sickening, so it's obviously not for the faint of heart. It's pretty tough to watch, but it's an interesting experience and you'll be glad you watch this little gem when it's all over. Intelligent, bloody as hell, and gutwrenching.

Also, is it me or do Koreans really love fucking people up with hammers?

This is the best thriller I have ever seen. Period.

What a fucking monster.

Despite being a little implausible, and a couple plot holes The Chaser is a very good film. I've seen several Korean films on the topic of revenge and they seem to have a knack for it. I think anyone who has enjoyed films like Oldboy and I Saw the Devil will enjoy this film.

Part of Cinebro June Challenge : #20
An intense crime thriller revolving around a ex-detective pimp who's worker is missing,the search for her and the prosecution of the killer.

Similar to 'Memories of Murder' but a bit darker. It's not the violence persay, it's the imagination it brings the viewers. Very original story about a serial killer, and a former cop. Very somber yet humorous. The first 20 minutes were spectacular, slowed down a bit after that, until the heart bursting final 30 minutes. Very dark, and very thoughtful thriller.

The Chaser follows Jung-ho, a former cop that's now a pimp as he tries to find the person he believes to have kidnapped his girls.

I found The Chaser to be a great movie. The movie definitely has a very gritty feel to it as a huge amount of the scenes take place at night, wish was something I really liked, and I thought it in a way fitted with the theme of the movie. I thought that the first half of the movie went kind of slow, but it definitely picked up and got way more exciting during the second half.

One of those delightful films that isn't anything like you expect. Its highly original plot surprises at every turn and there is a typically Korean 'flatness' to the handling of the action. The script is a little baggy at the seams in places but overall a surprising and provocative watch.

s'good

I've always been interested in the asiatic cinema culture, so, I decided to go deeper into the Korean scene.
Being one of the most Korean talked movies, I've decided to watch The Chaser and I liked it. A pretty good acting joined by a really interesting plot, made me enjoy the movie a lot.

The title doesn't disappoint and the frequent chase scenes really deliver. The violence pushes right up against the line, but never crosses it. The result is a visceral experience instead of a disconnected one, which often happens when pushing in to "torture porn" territory. The film presented a variety of themes and motifs with subtlety. While I appreciate and often prefer nuance and an inconcrete story when compared to explicit messaging a la Seven, something still feels lacking. The absence of that "something" that resonates, along with the weak explanation for the serial killer's release (although, I do understand that something could be lost on me culturally) bumped this down to 4 stars.

Dear Anne,
Does South Korean torture porn usually fill you with a "great film" feeling?
No? So would you care to explain to us why you watched a film about the hunt for a psychopathic murderer who kills prostitutes and the inept search for him by police?
Because of the 30 countries challenge? And what is that?
So, someone you've never met, or spoken to in real life, set 'everyone' a challenge to watch films from 30 different countries in May, and you decided to take up this challenge?
Did this challenger force you to watch a film from South Korea?
No? Did this challenger find the said film, or did you decide to watch it yourself?
So how many countries' films have you watched so far in May?
Only 27, with two weeks left in the month?
Do you think perhaps your film-watching is an unhealthy obsession?
No? Are you absolutely sure about that?