It seems so long ago that Parasite deservedly stormed the 2020 Oscars. After such a monumental win one could have expected yet another surge in Korean cinema to rival the early 00s. Alas, a particular virus made that not so possible. There’s been a slow trickle of films seeping through the cracks and hopefully 2021 will see things start to get back to normal. With all that said Deliver Us From Evil is a beautifully grim tale that is also exciting enough to give a much needed shot of adrenaline.
Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae reunite after 2013’s New World, for a film which is a cross between Heat and Man on Fire with the style of John Wick. Hwang plays In Nam, an assassin who is given the job of investigating the kidnapping of a little girl. As his investigations take him to Thailand he also finds himself pursued by a Yakuza assassin, Ray (Lee), whose brother In Nam killed in the film’s opener. Essentially you end up with a film with an intriguing mystery, that can then spiral into abrupt chaos whenever it so chooses just by having Ray catch up with In Nam.
Hong Won Chan is never exactly a ray of sunshine. His screenplays for the excellent The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, and Confession of Murder explore the darkest parts of humanity with morally grey, or perhaps charcoal is a better description, characters. Hong directed 2015’s Office, but this is his first attempt at directing one of his own screenplays. What’s surprising is just how much fun he decides to take when hurtling into action sequences. Hong has obviously taken a lot of inspiration from classic action movies and sequences. The opening scene is highly reminiscent of the opening scene in Leon, with a mob boss panicking as he loses contact with his guards only for the protagonist to appear from the darkness. There’s a hallway fight scene (which are so hot right now), car chase, and a fracas in an elevator. Each one is treated like its own little action movie and are such a highlight that it unfortunately impedes on the core narrative.
The mixture of over the top action with a serious plot does run the risk of feeling uncomfortable at times. To make the crazed villain Japanese and all the sordid goings on taking place in Thailand means that the harsh social commentary that Hong is known for is lost. It never quite becomes offensive, but that is mostly due to Lee’s brilliantly cartoonish performance. It’s like if Denzel Washington was interrupted every 15-20 minutes in Man on Fire by The Joker with martial arts proficiency. It sounds insane, which it is, but it’s also enjoyable. There are even times when the film stretches the suspension of disbelief so far – looking at you sequence involving jumping through a car windscreen – that you question whether it is all a little too much, before deciding “Naaaah! It’s cool.”
Deliver Us From Evil is a film that seems to be a director finding his footing and trying out new styles. Hong’s pessimistic view is still there for the core narrative, but the violence and action have a Hollywoodised sheen with impeccable choreography and frenetic editing. Even when the film is searching for its identity however, Lee and Hwang carry on as true professionals. Lee is the scenery chewing unpredictable antagonist, while Hwang finds heart in his stoic, and by no means completely innocent, protagonist.
Signature Entertainment presents Deliver Us From Evil on Digital Platforms 4th January 2021
Deliver Us From Evil
Summary
A beautifully grim tale that is also exciting enough to give a much needed shot of adrenaline.
