Intense, suspenseful, and filled with heart-pounding action sequences, “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” is a Korean action thriller based on a true story. When a gangster, Jang Dong-soo (Ma Dong-seok), is almost killed by a serial killer, he teams up with rebellious cop Jung Tae-suk (Kim Mu-yeol) to catch the killer. Despite their opposing positions, they manage to put aside their differences and work together, forming an unlikely friendship in the process.
Ma’s charismatic performance as Jang creates a very likeable character, yet the film never makes the mistake of leading us to think that Jang is a good guy. When we are first introduced to him in the film, he is hitting a punching bag, which is later revealed to be holding a person inside. Even though Jang is seen to be kind to strangers, his cruel treatment towards his enemies remind us that he is still a gangster, where his reputation and status comes first.
On the other hand, Kim gives a convincing portrayal of a hot-headed detective Jung who is willing to cross the line to get the job done. His chemistry with Ma is amusing, going from threats and insults to jokes and fighting together, forming a brotherhood that is reminiscent of Hong Kong Triad films. Kim Sung-kyu plays Kang Kyung-ho, the insane serial killer that both the police and the gangsters are looking for. His performance is chilling and scary, particularly because of his soft, gentle voice coupled with a disturbing smile and manic expression. However, his character soon turns out to be very flat when his identity is finally revealed, and there is no deeper explanation to his background and motivation besides a comment of him being abused as a child and growing up in an orphanage, as if implying that a back story like that is enough to justify who he has become.
Writer and director Lee Won-tae crafts a cleverly layered thriller filled with moments of dark humour, never letting the pace of the film slow down enough to make it boring. The action sequences are well choreographed and executed, utilizing Ma Dong-seok’s physicality effectively.
On the surface, “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” is a film about the unlikely alliance of a cop and a gangster in an effort to catch a serial killer, but it also subtly critiques the absurdity present in the justice system, where the law can also be used to protect the wrong people. Despite being a film about rules and treading a thin line between both sides, all three characters cross the line in one way or another, emphasizing that good and evil are choices, not absolutes.
★★★★ (4 stars out of 5)
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