The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)
A crime boss and a detective forge an unlikely alliance to hunt a serial killer in this electrifying Korean action thriller.
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil - Movie Information
- Original Title: 악인전
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Lee Won-tae
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 15, 2019 (Canada - 18A), August 14, 2019 (France - 12), May 15, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Gangster, policajt a ďábel (CZ), Mafiya, Polis və Şeytan (AZ), Akinjeon (KR), 悪人伝 (JP)
- Production Companies: Acemaker Movieworks, BA Entertainment, Kiwi Media Group, B&C Content
- Production Countries: South Korea
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil - Plot
After barely surviving a brutal attack by a sadistic serial killer, crime boss Jang Dong-su is left humiliated. Determined to catch the killer known as K, he forms an uneasy alliance with Jung Tae-seok, a relentless and incorruptible detective who often disrupts his illegal business. However, while Jang Dong-su wants K dead, Jung Tae-suk is determined to bring him to justice. With a deal in place—whoever finds K first will decide his fate—the hunt begins, blurring the lines between crime and law.
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
Don't let the devil win.
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The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Lee Won-tae
Main Cast
- Ma Dong-seok
- Kim Moo-yul
- Kim Sung-kyu
- Heo Dong-won
- You Chea-myung
- Lee Seo-hwan
- Oh Hee-jun
- Kim Gyu-ri
- Yoo Seung-mok
- Ryu Tae-ho
Writers
- Lee Won-tae
Producers
- Sylvester Stallone
- Seo Kang-ho
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil - FAQs
What is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil about?
The film follows Jang Dong-su, a powerful crime boss who barely survives a vicious attack by a serial killer. Humiliated and furious, he strikes an uneasy deal with a tenacious detective to track the killer down — though each man has very different plans for what happens when they find him.
Is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil based on a true story?
Yes, the film draws inspiration from a real case. The serial killer character is loosely based on Jeong Nam-gyu, a real South Korean serial killer active in the late 2000s who targeted victims in minor traffic incidents. The gangster protagonist is also inspired by a real crime figure from that era.
Where can you stream The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
You can stream The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock Premium, Rakuten Viki, and Hi-YAH. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home, or watch free with ads on Pluto TV and The Roku Channel.
Does The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil have a Hollywood remake?
Yes — a Hollywood remake is in development, with Sylvester Stallone attached as both producer and star. Stallone was so impressed by the original that he acquired the rights himself. The remake is expected to transplant the story to an American setting while keeping the core cat-and-mouse premise intact.
Who are the main actors in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
Ma Dong-seok leads the cast as crime boss Jang Dong-su, delivering a commanding, charismatic performance. Kim Moo-yul plays the relentless detective Jung Tae-suk, and Kim Sung-kyu is chilling as the serial killer Kang Gyeong-ho. The three leads create a gripping dynamic that drives the film from start to finish.
Is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil worth watching?
Absolutely. Critics praised it as a slick, propulsive thriller elevated by Ma Dong-seok's magnetic screen presence. It blends hard-boiled crime tension with dark humor and delivers some genuinely thrilling set pieces. If you enjoy Korean action cinema or films like The Roundup series, this one is essential viewing.
Who directed The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil?
Lee Won-tae directed and wrote the film. It marked a significant breakthrough for him, earning strong reviews at the Cannes Film Market in 2019 and putting him on the map as a major voice in Korean genre cinema. He also wrote the screenplay, crafting the film's sharp, propulsive narrative.
Did The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil perform well at the box office?
Yes — made on a budget of around $6.5 million, the film grossed over $25 million worldwide, making it a solid commercial success. It performed especially well in South Korea and gained strong international traction after its premiere at the Cannes Film Market, which helped secure its global distribution.
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