A harsh and unsettling revenge shocker that pulls no punches when it comes to depictions of on-screen violence, BEDEVILLED is a South Korean drama that ploughs the same depths of the human soul as other films like I SAW THE DEVIL. At first, the film is a real slow burner, a depiction of life on a remote rural island where spousal abuse is an everyday norm and the caste system leads to poor women being treated no better than dogs.
In many ways, the film is a character study of some truly unpleasant types, including the heroine (played by Ji Seong-won, handling a difficult role rather well) who finds herself visiting a rural community like no other. The brunt of the acting honours goes to Seo Yeong-hie as the put upon Bok-nam, forever abused by her husband as well as the village elders who routinely treat her like a pack horse and with the utmost contempt.
The violence and oppression gradually build until the all-out extended revenge climax which doesn't disappointment. Most Hollywood movies lose their nerve come the ending, never dishing out true justice to those deserving of it, but BEDEVILLED goes all the way and then some. It's the kind of film which will haunt you for days afterwards, and even a slightly disappointing ending fails to dilute the nature of its visceral power.
In many ways, the film is a character study of some truly unpleasant types, including the heroine (played by Ji Seong-won, handling a difficult role rather well) who finds herself visiting a rural community like no other. The brunt of the acting honours goes to Seo Yeong-hie as the put upon Bok-nam, forever abused by her husband as well as the village elders who routinely treat her like a pack horse and with the utmost contempt.
The violence and oppression gradually build until the all-out extended revenge climax which doesn't disappointment. Most Hollywood movies lose their nerve come the ending, never dishing out true justice to those deserving of it, but BEDEVILLED goes all the way and then some. It's the kind of film which will haunt you for days afterwards, and even a slightly disappointing ending fails to dilute the nature of its visceral power.