After self-absorbed Seoul bank worker Hae-won (Seong-won Ji) is ordered to take some time off work due to stress, she decides to visit the remote island of Moo-do, where she spent time as a child with her grandfather. There, she rekindles her friendship with her childhood friend Kim Bok-nam (Yeong-hie Seo), but discovers that the rest of the islanders treat the woman like a slave, abusing her mentally, physically and sexually. Hae-won's apathy regarding the situation ultimately leads to tragedy
Korean revenge drama Bedevilled requires much patience from the viewer, the story building steadily and slowly, the abuse and degradation Bok-nam endures, not just from her husband but also the other women on the island, very gradually pushing her closer and closer to the edge of sanity. It's not a question of whether she will crack, but when, so hang on in there: when she finally flips (after the death of her daughter at the hands of her husband), revenge has never been sweeter, Bok-nam going to town with a sharp farming implement, hacking and slashing her way through all those who have tormented her.
Brooding direction from Cheol-soo Jang, marvellous performances all round, and stunning cinematography all go to make this a very satisfying experience, but best of all is the visceral violence that is dished out by the severely miffed Bok-nam to her deserving victims, all that practice with the sickle digging up potatoes not going to waste.
Korean revenge drama Bedevilled requires much patience from the viewer, the story building steadily and slowly, the abuse and degradation Bok-nam endures, not just from her husband but also the other women on the island, very gradually pushing her closer and closer to the edge of sanity. It's not a question of whether she will crack, but when, so hang on in there: when she finally flips (after the death of her daughter at the hands of her husband), revenge has never been sweeter, Bok-nam going to town with a sharp farming implement, hacking and slashing her way through all those who have tormented her.
Brooding direction from Cheol-soo Jang, marvellous performances all round, and stunning cinematography all go to make this a very satisfying experience, but best of all is the visceral violence that is dished out by the severely miffed Bok-nam to her deserving victims, all that practice with the sickle digging up potatoes not going to waste.