Bedevilled

When the stress of her job at a financial center pushes her over the stress limit, Hae-won (Seong-won Ji) decides to take a vacation back to the tiny island where she grew up. It’s clear from the minute she steps off the boat that life on the island isn’t what she remembered it to be, or at least it doesn’t match with the memories she hasn’t suppressed about the brutal reality of her childhood. Although the film is set up as if it was going to reveal Haeowon’s past, director Chul-soo Jang is only setting the stage to draw you into a tale that’s darker and far more dangerous that you expect and the result is stunning. Of course, it would be unfair to simply spell out exactly what happens in the movie; suffice it to say that you need to keep your eyes on all the players in the drama as it unfolds because one the thin thread holding the island natives’ dark secret together snaps and the blood starts to flow, you won’t have time to try and reflect and figure out the clues leading to the first brutal killing, You’ll be too busy enjoying the thrill ride. 4 stars