[ Perspective ] - [ More than Black & White ]

In this movie,  we witness a situation that some individuals leading a "normal life" may have experienced, albeit in less socially disruptive circumstances. It explores their search for comfort, escape, and the longing to find solace in someone's embrace.

As the story unfolds, I became immersed in the lives of these women, ranging from a young, conservative individual to a widowed grandmother. They openly share their distress, fears, choices, and hopes, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the societal constraints and expectations placed upon them in Japanese society.

While the intimate scenes in the film are explicit, it's important to not lose sight of the true message conveyed. The film centers around the lead character's personal growth, self-discovery, and acceptance of his own choices. These elements overshadow the explicit content and serve as the real essence of the film.

During the first 15 minutes of the movie, I found myself questioning, "What is this film? Should I continue watching it?" It quickly became evident that this movie is not meant for everyone, even for those over 18. It is violent, disturbing, chaotic, and, in a way, profoundly sad.

The relationship portrayed in the film defies any notion of romance, it's not a romance at all. The characters are completely lost, detached from reality. The boundaries between good and evil blur as they interact. At one point, Katsuragi Makoto recognizes the reprehensible actions of his tormentor, yet despite his initial rebellions, he gradually softens. Is this the infamous Stockholm syndrome at play?

I perceive this film as a depiction of the relationship between two symbiotic beings. The parasite relies on the host for survival, while the host becomes unable to live without the parasite after growing accustomed to it.

Whenever I watch films like this, I often wonder what thoughts were running through the screenwriter's mind during the writing process. The characters embark on this journey in an attempt to alleviate their pain.

One commendable aspect of the film is the casting of highly talented actors. Their portrayal of these exceptionally unhinged characters is convincing and engaging.

"I Saw the Devil" is a chilling film that delves into the horrors of human bestiality. It takes the theme of revenge to an unprecedented level of violence, leaving no room for half measures in depicting the raw physical and psychological brutality. This is a film that haunts your nightmares and leaves a lingering taste of bitterness. It's advised for sensitive viewers to refrain from watching.

The film poses thought-provoking questions about the boundaries of human behavior. It challenges us to contemplate the extent to which an action can be deemed reprehensible, how a hero can transform into an anti-hero, when a hero becomes a monster, and when one monster surpasses another. It forces us to question the breaking point of the human psyche.

Are we born psychopaths or do we become them? Perhaps it's a combination of both. The question of morality can be divisive, with certain acts considered condemnable by society but not necessarily by the law, and vice versa. In this drama, the lawyer handling Hokuto's case delves into his past, allowing us to understand and empathize with this young man while also feeling a sense of anger alongside him. Was it the aftermath of events, feelings of guilt, or buried demons within Hokuto that drove him to this psychological breakdown? For a brief moment, I found myself almost justifying his actions. It wasn't a mere burst of anger but a carefully calculated decision, making it all the more unsettling and powerful to witness.

This drama is poignant, often intense, and it provokes deep contemplation. Despite the immense hardships he endured, Hokuto had a glimmer of light in his life.