I Saw the Devil (2010)
Kim Jee-woon's savage Korean revenge thriller pits a grieving secret agent against a remorseless serial killer in a battle that corrupts them both.
I Saw the Devil - Movie Information
- Original Title: 악마를 보았다
- Release Year: 2010
- Directed by: Kim Jee-woon
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Horror
- Runtime: 2h 24m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 12, 2010 (Brazil - 18), March 4, 2011 (United States), September 14, 2010 (Canada - 18A), April 29, 2011 (United Kingdom - 18), April 14, 2011 (Germany - 18), September 12, 2011 (France - 16), April 13, 2012 (Spain - 18), August 12, 2010 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Encontré al diablo (ES), Akmareul boatda (KR), 悪魔を見た：2010 (JP), I Saw the Devil - Rache ist ein tiefer Abgrund (DE), 看见恶魔 (CN), J'ai rencontré le diable (FR), 看見魔鬼 (HK)
- Production Companies: Softbank Ventures, Peppermint & Company, Siz Entertainment, Finecut, Michigan Venture Capital, Showbox, CJ Investment
- Production Countries: South Korea
I Saw the Devil - Plot
Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. Soo-hyeon, a top-secret agent, decides to track down the murderer himself. He promises himself that he will do everything in his power to take vengeance against the killer, even if it means that he must become a monster himself.
I Saw the Devil - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the relentless pursuit unfold:
Abandon all compassion.
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I Saw the Devil - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kim Jee-woon
Main Cast
- Lee Byung-hun
- Choi Min-sik
- Jeon Kuk-hwan
- Cheon Ho-jin
- Oh San-ha
- Kim Yoon-seo
- Nam Bo-ra
- Lee Jun-hyuk
- Yoon Chae-yeong
- Choi Moo-seong
Writers
- Park Hoon-jung
- Kim Jee-woon
Producers
- Kim Jung-hwa
- Kim Jae-young
I Saw the Devil - FAQs
What is I Saw the Devil about?
I Saw the Devil follows Kim Soo-hyeon, a secret agent who embarks on a brutal vendetta after a sadistic serial killer murders his fiancée. Rather than simply capturing the killer, Soo-hyeon subjects him to a relentless cycle of torment, forcing both men — and the audience — to confront the true cost of vengeance.
Does I Saw the Devil have a happy ending?
No. The ending is deeply tragic. Soo-hyeon ultimately kills Kyung-chul, but the victory is hollow — he has lost his humanity in the process. The final scene shows him breaking down in grief, suggesting that his obsessive pursuit of revenge destroyed him just as surely as it destroyed the killer.
Who are the main actors in I Saw the Devil?
The film stars Lee Byung-hun as secret agent Kim Soo-hyeon and Choi Min-sik as the psychopathic killer Kyung-chul. Both deliver career-defining performances. The supporting cast includes Jeon Kuk-hwan, Cheon Ho-jin, Oh San-ha, Kim Yoon-seo, Nam Bo-ra, Lee Jun-hyuk, Yoon Chae-yeong, and Choi Moo-seong.
Where can I stream I Saw the Devil?
I Saw the Devil is available to stream on Philo and the Plex Channel at no additional cost with a subscription or free account. It can also be rented or purchased digitally on Google Play Movies. Check JustWatch for the most current availability in your region.
Who directed I Saw the Devil?
I Saw the Devil was directed by Kim Jee-woon, one of South Korea's most acclaimed genre filmmakers. Known for A Bittersweet Life and The Good, the Bad, the Weird, Kim brings a precise, visceral visual style to this revenge thriller, crafting one of the most intense Korean films of the 2000s.
Is I Saw the Devil based on a true story?
No, I Saw the Devil is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay by Park Hoon-jung. However, the film draws on the broader cultural anxiety surrounding real-world serial killers in South Korea, lending its fictional narrative a disturbing sense of plausibility and social resonance.
How long is I Saw the Devil?
I Saw the Devil has a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes (144 minutes). The film's extended length allows Kim Jee-woon to build sustained psychological tension across multiple confrontations between the two leads, making each encounter feel increasingly desperate and morally corrosive.
How was I Saw the Devil received by critics?
The film earned strong critical acclaim, praised for its ferocious performances, stylish direction, and unflinching moral complexity. Critics highlighted the central duel between Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik as extraordinary. Some reviewers debated whether its extreme violence served the story or crossed into excess, fueling ongoing discussion about its artistic intent.
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