The plot is nothing new and it reminds a bit of The Rite (with Anthony Hopkins), not so much of the original Exorcism though. Most of the story is pretty calm, it takes its time to introduce the characters through flashbacks which works pretty well in my eyes. But it still doesn't waste time as the story proceeds at the same time to slowly build up the suspense. And when you reach the climax, you'll also get your jump-scares and some bloody byproducts.
The movie works well because the camera and editing did a good job and because the cast was great. They gave life to their characters, and made them convincing and palpable. I can't tell much about Kim Yoon Seok or Kang Dong Won because I haven't seen either much with them or anything at all. If I did, it's been so long that I can't remember. But they were splendid. I do know Park So Dam and I also know that she's a great rising actress. She didn't let me down here either and her performance of a quite peculiar figure was excellent.
So, for me an enjoyable ride and a nice presentation of a Christian exorcism in a modern Korea. Of course, still kinda predictable but it's always interesting to see how far and in which directions the movie makers go with the exorcism elements. If you expect something scary and want to hide behind your sofa every few seconds, don't watch this. But if you're fan of the cast and don't mind calmer horror films that focus a bit more on the characters' relations, then be welcome and go ahead.
(But I have to advise you to find good subs, because those are essential to bond with the characters and make you invested in them)
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The story is really unique in the Korean movie business. I personaly have seen many American ones about exorcism but never one in Korean, so I really liked that. It gives you from start untill end a myserious vibe. The dark themes, the buildings and actors helped greatly in giving off this creepy feeling. But, I wish they didn't threw in some unessecary things (the past of Choi & Kim VS. rest of the fathers).
The could have threw it in there, but they should have build more development around those extra side stories, so I am quite dissapointed in that.
The cast was splendid, I love Kang Dong Won's work and Park So Dam is alsy a great actress, she can fill in any type of role in a movie! Even though the action is in the last 40 minutes of the movie the actors keep you interested.
The music really fitted the 'exocrism' theme, so this also helped building up tension in this movie.
Watch this if you like exorcism and a bit gory movie.
Skip this if you expect romance and full on action.
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The cast’s acting is impressive but the plot is such a shame
Not a good movie to be honest, but the acting from the cast is phenomenal, especially Park So Dam. Kang Dong Won is the reason I knew about this movie in the first place and he also nailed the role. His appearance makes my viewing experience more enjoyable.Unfortunately, the plot is a such waste of the actors’ talent. I find it boring and dragging, especially in the first half. The second half is better, but also mainly because of the cast’s acting. This is supposed to be a horror movie but the scary parts are too few and mild.
Kim Yun-seok’s character is also very annoying with his rude behavior. He plays a Priest and keeps insulting his deacon, Kang Dong Won’s character. Do they really think that would make him a cool or funny guy? Because I don’t find that cool or funny at all. That’s bullying.
Not to mention that they sacrifice the piglet. Poor little creature! And that’s the deal breaker for me.
5.5 out of 10 for the cast’s efforts.
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This review may contain spoilers
This movie was extremely slow and the build up wasn't anything worth going nuts for. The only part wprth watching was close to the end when it actually got creepy. But even the end had me annoyed with how slow it was.
Bot mad at the actors, they played their parts get. But the storyline itself was a waste imo.
I wish i could have liked this movie and i see where they say it's like the korean version of the exorcist but eh.
Definitely wasn't worth my time. Lol.
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Poor baby piggy! CHASING AWAY an EVIL SPIRIT is damn TIRING, haha
I love Horror genre.This is a SERIOUS HORROR.
May not contain Jump Scares but truly SCARY PSYCHOLOGICALLY.
The Vibe is DARK n gives CHILLS.
Will truly feel "The Ghost in the air, everywhere" sort of scary vibe, haha😅😱
It is not some easy-going Ghost story or the usual horror trope, where there's a ghost possessing someone related to the protagonist n the protagonist with some help, wards it off easily.
*****CHARACTERS:
The Protagonists are not the family members of the Possessed.
They are the Priests who are Struggling Hard to save the person, risking their own lives 👌🏻
The STRUGGLE involved, the DESPARATION to SAVE is TIRING.
At some point, the characters may be left with no clue or no way to Save or Survive, all remain helpless.
Constantly, Keeps one on the Edge of one's Seat, watching the MLs struggling hard n running around desparately to ward off the evil spirit
And creates a NAIL BITING Tension n Suspense, doubting how they will Save n Survive!
Haha, that Evil Spirit is a dirty one, not only insults with mind-twisting words to manipulate the minds, also tries to weaken the person whoever interacts with it🤦🏻♀️
*****
Well Directed and well Acted.
Good Cinematography too.
Both the Main Leads in Priests roles, performed well.
Dong Won reciting the ritual lines in Spanish, while exorcising, is Good
This reminds me of the famous serious horrors that are psychological scary horrors, where Protagonists Struggle a lot to Save the Possessed, like
"The Exorcist" or few James Wan's horror movies ("Conjuring", "Insidious")
or Korean horrors "Exhuma", "The Wailing"
or Thai horror anthology series "Angkhan Khlumpong" (all stories in this are serious n scary) etc.
****
Finally, U will be relieved in the end, when the priests are finally done with the chase n saved the possessed person.
CHASING AWAY an EVIL SPIRIT is damn TIRING for the Famous Actors too (Joking!! The Hype) 😂
Poor baby piggy!😂😔
****"
Rating - 9 / 10
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What started as a movie that focuses on human’s weaknesses, doubt, overcoming trauma, finished CGI blood and smoke and possessed animals… Why? First and second half of the movie do not exactly match well together.
Each character had an interesting personal story that could have been explored in the context of their faith - fighting against the bureaucracy for the good of others, overcoming your trauma and finding strength within yourself, showing goodness when faced with danger and pain. Sadly, none of these plot lines were explored enough, when the movie focused more on the preparation and the exorcism itself.
Additionally, there were some plots that were introduced but truly led to nowhere (the investigation over a possible indiscretion and immoral acts of Father Kim) and I questioned the point of introducing them in the movie in the first place.
While the cinematography and camera work were truly on point, the CGI and practical effects left a lot to desire. The exorcism scene made me cry from laughing with how over the top and “excessive” it was. When will horror directors figure out that less means more?
Overall: I quite enjoyed it. The last 25 to 30 minutes were the weakest, and served a rather ridiculous conclusion to the story.
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This review may contain spoilers
Suivez une séance d'exorcisme avec le Père Kim.
Je suis depuis quelques jours dans une mouvance « exorcisme » avec le drama « Let’s Fight Ghost », le film « The Divine Fury » & maintenant « The Priests ». Comme pour « The Divine Fury », ce film n’a pas réellement su me convaincre. Si le premier aborde l’exorcisme de façon plus trash « visuellement » celui-ci l’aborde de façon « psychologique » (Oui bon, il y a des scènes avec plein de sang… Mais soyons honnête, ce n’est rien comparé à « The Divine Fury » !)Bref introduction : Nous suivons un jeune diacre qui devient l’assistant d’un exorciste. Ceux-ci font face à un cas difficile puisqu’une jeune femme est possédée par un démon vieux de plusieurs siècles. De plus, ce dernier à la possibilité d’avoir accès aux souvenirs de toute personne avec qui il rentre en contact visuel. (Vous imaginez bien que cela se révèle des plus éprouvant ^^)
Les personnages :
• Le jeune diacre est un personnage des plus tourmentés puisqu’il se sent coupable de ce qui est arrivé à sa sœur lorsqu’ils étaient enfants… La souffrance l’a poussé à devenir prêtre afin d’expier « sa lâcheté ». (J’avoue avoir ressenti un peu de pitié à son égard, il n’était qu’un enfant lorsque l’incident c’est produit… Comment aurait-il pu, dans un état de peur, prendre conscience que son choix entraînerait la mort de sa petite sœur…)
• L’exorciste : Nous ne savons pas grand-chose de lui, pour ne pas dire que nous ne savons rien… Mis à part qu’il connaissait la jeune femme possédée…
• La jeune fille possédée est une personne d’une grande force mentale qui tente de retenir le démon en elle… Bien que son corps et son esprit se détruisent au fur & à mesure de sa possession, elle ne permet pas au démon d’agir à sa guise.
Ce film comme pour « The Divine Fury » n’apporte rien de nouveau au genre, cependant, tout comme ce dernier, il n’est pas désagréable à voir une fois.
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