The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion (2018) User Reviews

Just the beginning

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 21 October 2019]

I watched the movie first and realized later this was just the first part of a possible trilogy. The second movie has not come out yet. I do like to watch a series back to back if possible and I probably would have waited, especially because I have a backlog of movies to watch anyway. But there is a hype surrounding this and I was curious to see it.

Now I do understand if some people think and say that at least 2/3 of the movie feel slow to them. Because the movie is taking its time. You can see that as a bad thing or a good thing, that depends on your viewing habits and how you like your movies to be. The movie does end with quite a highlight though. And I have to admit, the ending itself works like it is. Sure now that I know there is more, I want to watch that as soon as possible - which is going to be some time.

Acting is good, twists are nice if predictable I reckon and there will be blood. If that all sounds good to you to you can either watch now or wait at least until the first sequel arrives and do a double bill

Wickedly wild witchery.......

[s3276169 · 7/10 · 6 June 2019]

The Witch starts off comfortably enough with a very Korean domestic teen vibe. I found it a little annoyingly sugary at times and overstated. That said, it does set the scene nicely for the stark contrast, that comes next.

This film is extraordinarily frenetic, action packed and violent. Certainly once it gets started its never ever boring but the mayhem can get a little exhausting at times. Its not one for the faint hearted but if you enjoyed films like the John Wick franchise, you will, I suspect, love this one.

What helps lift The Witch above a lot of other similar films is an intriguing and intricate story and in some cases, genuinely excellent acting.

A worthwhile watch. 7/10.

These kid need Professor X ASAP

[phanthinga · 8/10 · 24 October 2018]

The plot of The Witch is nothing special or new with modern day cinema so I don't really care about how much part this movie will get in the future but I'm totally on board now thank to the chilling performance of Kim Da Mi behind the main character Ja Yoon.At first looking at Ja Yoon I though she gonna be the kind of character that don't know who she really is and eventually the truth will be revealed in the middle of the movie and the whole things will go gown with a bloodbath and I was right except for one thing:I underestimated the movie plot twist.It freak the hell out of me that Ja Yoon a cute girl with such innocent looing can turn into this alter ego of her named The Witch a brutal superpower killer.Part1.The Subversion is just the calm before the storm so I expect great thing from the franchise from now on

The Witch : Part 1

[0U · 3 February 2020]

An often mesmerizing, occasionally kooky but thoroughly entertaining thriller.

The School of Schizophrenia...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 11 December 2022]

You've escaped from the embrace of those with power, been adopted by a family and you flower, you have skills, intelligence, a bit of magic holds suspense, and now the chance for fame and fortune, but things sour. Though you're strong and can fight back against the challenge, at those who seek retaliation and revenge, it's as if you cannot die, the laws of physics you defy, and you're the one with actions to avenge. So you fight and show them all the things you do, retribution overwhelms and consumes you, as the blood begins to flow, lives are taken as you throw, a demonstration of all the strengths that you imbue.

Brilliant Acting From a Rookie Actress and More

[mrchurick · 9/10 · 3 July 2018]

Make no mistake, this movie's theme is thriller, not horror. And as such, this movie was suspenseful with plenty of twists and turns to entice the audience. However, the most brilliant factor about this movie was the amazing acting from both the main protagonist (played by Da-Mi Kim) and her best friend (played by Min-Si Go). Although others shined in certain areas as well, these two actresses were absolutely phenomenal, especially considering the notion that Da-Mi Kim is still considered as a rookie who recently started her official career. This movie is only the first part of a series that is to come and may be one of the biggest hits in Korea yet.

Good film with a few problems

[jdiz115 · 7/10 · 17 May 2019]

First off I really enjoyed this film. Kinda reminds me of Akira mixed with X-men. Acting is really solid imo and the action is very entertaining with well put together fight scenes. My main issue with this film is the plot. I wanted to know more of the motivations of why these super children were being created.

What's the end purpose and are they just mindless killing machines? I also wish we could sympathize with the main character more because it shows she does at Least care about her foster mother. I just didn't get a sense of cohesion or point to anything the characters were doing. Multiple interesting characters kinda just show up, look cool, and just get completely destroyed by the girl. I was willing to look past all of that because I assume there will be another film and these topics will be explored more.

Brilliant

[Paulmullane46 · 10/10 · 8 June 2019]

Excellent film. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The cast may be rookies but damn .. they exceeded all my expectations.. better than some of the hollywood stars you see these days. I am really looing forward to part 2 of this series.

Ending is way better than the first three quarters

[ChocOrange_ · 6/10 · 2 August 2019]

As usual there's a huge number of 9 or 10 star reviews from single review accounts trying to boost the rating. Don't be fooled! Great ending but the rest is slow and derivative.

Very slow to build to anything. The first hour could be easily cut to 30 mins or less to improve pacing without losing anything and would definitely improve the story of the two school girls. It's quite tiresome and childish at times.

Reviewers seem to praise the action but there is very little action and the plot expositions near the end should have been the meat of the movie.

However...

The end action sequence is superbly put together, decently long, violent and entertaining. Action fans should watch it for this alone on a streaming service.

If there's ever a 'Part 2' and it carries on in the style of the ending it'd be a a truly great action film.

The Witch: part1 The Subversion is totally breathtaking!

[eridinecha · 9/10 · 11 February 2020]

For those folks who says that this film took too much storytelling, so boring for an hour; blah,blah, blah- It is like you are reading a book! You need specific and concrete details to totally understand what story you are into.

Good job for the director!

Can't wait for the sequel...

The Witch ?

[garnet-30306 · 7/10 · 10 March 2019]

I don't know about the title, "The Witch" ? This film is in no way near about witchery or witches, it is about about a bunch of kids who were experimented upon and "given" special powers. The first hour of the movie is boring, to say the least. But after that, if you are still watching, then this is when the "fun" begins. Then the viewer begins to understand what's going on. And the revelation of the lead characters' plan. Lots of action ! Not bad really .

Highly underrated, awesome action movie!

[serenavondorf · 10/10 · 1 December 2018]

This movie is highly underrated here! It is by far one of the best action movies I have watched in the last few years! The plot is masterfully written, keeps you on your toes the entire time and takes turns you never ever expected! I watched it on my flight and boy, oh boy i did not even take a bathroom break until I finished watching it, it was that good and full of suspense!

Give it a go and see for yourselves! Highly recommended!

A Remake?

[mge_x · 7/10 · 18 November 2018]

The cast, the cinematography, the scenes and the story flow are perfect. But it is still sort of a remake of Elfen Lied.

Good south korean movie

[dy38493 · 7/10 · 19 March 2020]

Good movie to watch for the thrilling moments and also some little bit acting done but not all characters have done well but it is watchable.

Great Movie

[annmoniquelee · 10/10 · 19 November 2019]

I'm honestly looking forward to part 2. This was really a eye catching, I had moments that I didn't even blink because I didn't want to miss anything. Great Movie, Great Story!

My love for Korean movies is increasing day by day

[Neptune165 · 7/10 · 5 September 2022]

This movie shocked me, not only was it good, it was damn good and i put it in my top ten movies of badassness that i will ever see. 100 % access to one's . That is there powers. And she didn't kill the children in the beginning the organization killed the kids she ran away. I love this so much, the lead actress and the other guy that test her at the train, they actually have a kdrama together recently, which is really cute. Totally different character they have on this movie. Kim dami is such a phenomenal actress. The witch was her debut and she bagged 13 awards of best new actress with her role as jayoon. I'm always impressed by how fast she can change her expressions. Best movie I watched in the last 3 years. That leg kick is just an amazing scene, among others. This is like the most underrated action movie ever! Like i was blown away by the amazing fighting scenes and the girl is just so bada$$!

Slow Starter turns into an Insane Jaw Dropping Finale!

[skip-98756 · 10/10 · 9 March 2019]

Whoah!!! The opening scenes are very intense and intriqueing and set the tone, but the film then turns into a slow brewing story of the girls young upbringing and seemingly boring ,normal life...That is...till the middle comes with some scenes that are shocking and will set you back in your seat! I wont say what it is but the tone shifts completely and the movie begins its turn to the dark side..things get very interesting and from that point on, I cant image Anyone being bored with this insane action scifi thriller of Unimagineble Power Unleashed in this young girl..The action scenes and effects are beyond superbly done and more than once I was awed at how it was made to look so bloody convincing and terrifying.When the finale begins, be prepared for a ride to the dark side, as a growing sense of potential building and growing stronger is created..the atmosphere is Intense...And then a Critical mass is reached and she has come to her Full potential...And its Unleashed!!! just Wow!..I actually found myself saying OMG! out loud over and over...Mind blown...The acting in this movie was very good, not the typical asian silliness thats often a stereotype of asian film..this was acted well, with realness,and intensity..The 2 bad guys, the woman and her henchman were superb!! What can I say?, This is a slow starter that starts to explode middway and goes Supernova in the Finale! I loved it..Superb korean film and top notch scifi horror thriller!

A decent action flick

[shinrisen · 6/10 · 11 March 2023]

I started watching this movie convinced that it was a horror film. Although there is some gore and violence early on, it didn't really have a lot of tension and soon I realized this was more of an action movie with supernatural elements.

And it's fine at being that, I suppose. The action choreography is stylish and pretty well done, it reminded me mostly of the 2000 era movie 'Equilibrium' with Christian Bale. The plot is more substantial than just a reason to have these fights but the movie still is a lot more style than substance.

So, it's fine if you're looking for a decent action movie, but it's not much more than that.

6/10.

Brilliant

[sifat_islam · 8/10 · 7 November 2019]

Action 4.5/5 Drama 3/5 Plot 3.5/5 Suspens 3.5/5 Well entertainer

Watch it for lead actress Koo Ja Yoon's performance

[AnotherRandomReviewer · 6/10 · 11 May 2021]

A lot of the movie was competently done but nothing we haven't seen before, but Koo Ja Yoon is great. At times she is sweet, but when she isn't she seems almost inhumanly threatening. She sells the whole story of the film because you can believe she is capable of everything she does in the film.

Best acting, plot, story

[phlviapip · 10/10 · 28 June 2019]

We are fascinated by acting, good job KIM DA MI !! if you like the movie exciting action and a little spice of mystery. you must watch !!

I am waiting for part 2..

Entertaining but not exciting.

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 26 March 2019]

I don't really know if Manyeo is translated as The Witch but after watching the movie I would have come up with a different title as there is no witchery whatsoever in this movie. That aside The Witch is entertaining to watch, a story with some mystery and suspense, a bit of action and overal good acting which is mostly the case with Korean movies. They don't tend to overact like other Asian countries do and that's probably why Koreans are the best in Asian film making. I wouldn't rate this movie as high as other reviewers that thought it deserved a ten, it's just entertaining but not that exciting. If there would be a sequel I would probably watch it but I'm not going to lose any sleep if there wasn't.

Kids looking a little bit too cool

[mister_bateman · 5/10 · 5 March 2019]

The movie looks great but I didn't like it at all. It's too wannabe American. Style over substance. The basic premise is a bit similar to X-Men, kids with special powers. But there is only so much disbelief you can suspend and young girls being super badass at gunplay and effortlessly killing multipe grown men is just tedious and dumb. There's also not really a character in there you can really sympathize with. Just a bunch of cartoonish bad guys and teenage psychopaths trying a little bit too hard to look cool, arrogant and aloof.

Great action and thriller movie...

[kamalbeeee · 7/10 · 21 July 2020]

This movie has soo many twist and turns with great fight sequence... A group of people create super power humans by using kids...then one of the girl kid came for them to defeat and get some medicines.. Must watchable...

I hope the sequels get made

[PsychoBeard666 · 8/10 · 6 January 2021]

Koreans just know how to make intriguing movies and this is no exception. Sci-fi with gore and great action set pieces.