Fantasia 2019 review: THE GANGSTER, THE COP, THE DEVIL is a top-notch crime thriller

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil has been a huge smash in South Korea, and it’s not hard to see why. The film is a crowd-pleasing mix of action, suspense, and comedy, and deftly weaves between genres and tones, effectively offering up something for nearly every type of audience.

Tae-suk (Kim Moon-yul) is a policeman with little regard for the rules (or his chief for that matter).  Like a wise-cracking updated version of Axel Foley, he makes it clear that he has his sights set on the wide-reaching criminal underground, including the feared Dong-soo (Don Lee, of Train to Busan fame). As bodies begin to pile up in the city of Cheonan, Tae-suk becomes convinced this is the work of a serial killer (Kim Sung-kyu), though his one-man crusade falls on death ears at his department. When someone dares assault Dong-soo, the brutal criminal teams up with Tae-suk to help track down the serial killer, with one twist; whoever catches him first gets to deal with him in their own way — either through the legal system, or through more nefarious means.

Written and directed by Lee Won-tae, The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil  is the kind of mainstream adult thriller that unfortunately doesn’t seem to be made in North America anymore. It’s a unique mix of intense violence and laugh-out-loud black comedy, often within the very same scene, like a mash-up between se7en and 48 Hours. The trio of main actors all put in great work, and Don Lee is a true delight to watch here, so much so that he’s apparently going to be reprising his role in the upcoming North American remake being helmed by none-other than Sylvester Stallone.

Far more exciting than anything we’ve seen released on these shores in some time, The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil is a thrilling blockbuster very much worth seeking out.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil screens again at Fantasia International Film Festival on July 28 at 9:35 pm. Tickets and the complete schedule are available here.