Watch The Villainess

The Villainess is a 2017 South Korean action-thriller film that chronicles the journey of a young woman named Sook-hee, played by Kim Ok-bin, who is recruited by a secret government agency and trained to become an assassin. The movie is directed by Jung Byung-gil and stars Shin Ha-kyun and Sung Jun in supporting roles. The film opens with a gritty and intense action sequence in which Sook-hee takes down a group of armed men with skill and precision. From there, the movie jumps back and forth in time, alternating between Sook-hee's present-day mission and her past experiences that led her to become an assassin.

Sook-hee is a complex and intriguing character. She is a survivor of a brutal past, but also a ruthless killer who is not afraid to get her hands dirty. Her backstory is slowly revealed throughout the film, and we see glimpses of her traumatic childhood and the events that led her down this path.

Kim Ok-bin delivers a powerful performance as Sook-hee. She brings a fierce intensity to every scene and convincingly portrays the character's emotional depth and vulnerability. Her martial arts skills are also impressive, and the action scenes are beautifully choreographed and shot.

In addition to Sook-hee, the movie features a strong supporting cast. Shin Ha-kyun plays Joong-sang, Sook-hee's mentor and handler at the agency. He has a complex relationship with Sook-hee and struggles with the morality of their actions. Sung Jun plays Hyun-soo, a mysterious stranger who enters Sook-hee's life and starts to unravel her carefully constructed world.

The Villainess is not a typical action movie. It is a character-driven film that delves into the psychological and emotional toll of being an assassin. The film takes a non-linear approach to storytelling, weaving together Sook-hee's past and present in a way that keeps the viewer engaged and invested.

One of the standout aspects of the movie is its cinematography. The action scenes are shot with a dizzying amount of camera movement, incorporating a mix of first-person and third-person perspectives that puts the viewer right in the middle of the action. The camera work is complemented by a pulsing electronic score that amps up the tension and intensity of the movie.

The Villainess is not without its flaws, however. The non-linear storytelling can be confusing at times, and some of the characters are underdeveloped. The film also suffers from cliched plot points and familiar tropes of the assassin genre.

Despite these shortcomings, The Villainess is a thrilling and entertaining movie that will satisfy fans of the action-thriller genre. It is a stylish and unconventional film that explores complex themes of trauma, revenge, and redemption. Kim Ok-bin's powerhouse performance and the stunning cinematography make it a must-see for action movie enthusiasts.

The Villainess is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 64.