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The Chaser (2008)

Director: Hong-jin Na

2

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From Time Out London

This compelling yet totally manipulative and eye-wateringly violent South Korean horror-thriller revolves around an ex-cop turned pimp (Kim Yun-Seok) who finds himself on the trail of a weedy serial killer (Ha Jung-Woo) who has taken to kidnapping, torturing, then offing the valuable members of his female brood. Playing off a crook against a murderer makes for an interesting central sparring match, especially when the police become involved and have no idea whom to trust. Also, true to its title, the best moments come with two bravura and ultra-realistic chase sequences through grotty, dimly lit back allies, and director Na Hong-Jin also does his best to toy with expectations whenever possible. This playfulness, however, backfires massively in the second half when coincidence and unforeseen consequence conspire uneasily with bloody, messy results.

Author: David Jenkins 2008-09-16 11:51:06

Time Out London Issue 1987, 17-23 Sept, 2008


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Cast & crew

Director: Hong-jin Na

Cast: Yun-seok Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Young-min Jee, In-gi Jung full cast

Rated: 18

Duration: 125 mins

UK Release: Sep 19 2008




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