Dark Figure of Crime (2018)

This movie is nothing new under the sun, but it's still a great thriller.

Kim Yoon Seok and Joo Ji Hoon are so damn good in this movie that their characters almost feels like fully fleshed out people. Even if the story isn't that unique or surprising by itself, following the characters in their cat and mouse game still makes it exciting. It's been a long while since I've last seen a serial killer this interesting and convincing in a movie. Joo Ji Hoon's acting is phenomenal here.

This is not a movie that will keep you at the edge of your seat, but you will not be bored for even a second!
So if you ask me this movie is definitely worth a watch if you are into crime and thrillers.

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A befitting realistic, bleak and bitter depiction of tragedy

This work is nothing spectacular if you only view it solely as a crime thriller that needs a larger-than-life hero, an overpowered antagonist and a mindblowing twist.
However, if expand your view to the human side of the characterizations it delves into, you'd definitely see the finality behind such opaque portraitures and the cathartic value of their expressions.

Story:
Primarily centered around the procedural and investigative process to indict a twisted criminal who committed heinous deeds that nobody knows about or wishes to discuss.
Secondarily, through the character dynamics and portrayal, this work was presented as a dramatic character study type of movie.

Character work:
We have an emotionnally disconnected, conniving, machiavellian serial killer, swimming in an ocean of lies and deceit, trying his hardest not to get caught.
At the same time, we have a dectective pursuing work that offers no wealth or social prominence, suffering humiliation after another, going through relentless efforts to get to the bottom of truth to offer the victims some peace and their loved ones closure.

Leading actors:
Ju Ji-hoon did a wonderful job portraying a disgusting, easily-angered sleazebag with an oversized ego, on one hand.
A nemesis character that still had enough torment, affliction and enough miserable inclination to bring up a thought like "what if he grew up around people who cared, would the outcome have been different for him and the victims?"
I couldn't shake that sense of pity, disgust and confusion.

On the other hand, Kim Yoon-seok, with his calm, judicious and wise disposition beautifully portrayed the Ethos and ideals one would seek in any dedicated, selfless, martyr-like figure, to cheer for, respect and look up to.

OST:
I'm not the type to pay attention to the musical score unless it is something memorable. The soundtracks playing from the prologue to the epilogue by "Mok Young Jin" were dark, atmospheric and exquisitely eerie comme il faut!


Overall: 8/10
Being based on a true story, this movie left me with a bit of hope and an aftertaste of bitterness.
I would definitely recommend!

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