I’ve been watching South Korean movies for over 20 years, and they’ve produced some of my all-time favorite films. Movies like Oldboy, The Wailing, Train to Busan, Memories of Murder, and I Saw the Devil—I’ve watched them countless times and still enjoy every single viewing. But my favorite South Korean movie of all time, a film I’ve seen at least five times since I first watched it about five years ago, is The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The Witch tells the story of a seemingly normal high school girl with a suspiciously mysterious past. Her life takes a dangerous turn when unknown forces come after her, and she’s forced to uncover the truth about her hidden identity. As the stakes rise, so does the intensity of the film, making for a gripping watch full of surprises.
There are so many aspects of this movie that I absolutely love. I’m a huge fan of films where the protagonist harbors a hidden secret that gets revealed in a thrilling twist. The Witch excels in this area. The concept of humans possessing superhuman abilities has always fascinated me, and this movie delivers with dark, gritty, and intense action sequences. The fights are bloody, raw, and incredibly well-executed, keeping you glued to the screen. What really elevates this film, though, is its combination of a well-paced storyline with these solid action scenes. It’s not just style over substance—the narrative holds up, and the characters are intriguing. Special mention has to go to the lead protagonist. I believe this was her first or second film, and she delivers an admirable performance, portraying both vulnerability and ferocity with equal skill.
After the first movie, I was eagerly awaiting the sequels and spinoffs in this universe, but I’ve been somewhat disappointed. The Witch: Part 2 – The Other One had its moments, but overall, it didn’t live up to the high bar set by the first film. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but the sequel fell short in terms of both story and excitement. The spinoff series, The Tyrant, was a step up from the second movie, but still didn’t capture the same magic of the first one. Despite these disappointments, I’m still holding out hope for the third installment or a spinoff that truly delivers.
For fans of Korean cinema who haven’t yet seen this one, I strongly recommend it. It’s a fantastic blend of action, suspense, and solid performances—you won’t be disappointed.
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