A Devilish Murder (1965)

"A woman's grudge is not something that can easily go away"

A Bloodthirsty Killer aka A Devilish Murder was a cutting edge South Korean horror film from 1965. An oblivious husband and father is about to have his world destroyed, not realizing those closest to him had taken an ax to it years before.

Lee Si Mok goes to an art exhibit only to find it closed down. The lone artwork on the wall is a portrait of his ex-wife. On his trip home, the taxi driver hijacks him and takes him to a remote building in the forest where ghosts are roaming. Lee meets the artist who painted the portrait of Ae Ja, his ex-wife. When the clock strikes midnight, the artist shoves Lee and the painting under the bed. The artist is struck down by a female ghost who turns into a cat and disappears. It’s not long before Lee is confronted by his ex, not fully realizing she is not what she seems.

Clueless Lee Si Mok doesn’t realize his life is built on a lie and that he is surrounded by murderous, duplicitous family and friends. After reading the synopsis I was afraid that I was watching the wrong film as the mother-in-law and maid (now dingdong Lee’s wife) don’t show up for a while. The audience and the two murderous women grasp the situation long before Lee does.

The film was far more deadly than I was prepared for given the year. Victims were stabbed, electrocuted, bludgeoned, children were threatened, and blood was sucked. The actions of the villains had been so vile that even a Bodhisattva was like, “You gotta give her this one.” There was absolutely campy laughter and for our time special effects, but it’s important to keep in mind the time and audience it was created for.

Aside from being a creepy horror film, especially for 1965, it revealed how society’s expectations of women exasperated an already volatile situation. Ae Ja had a difficult relationship with her mother-in-law because after three years of marriage she hadn’t delivered a child. She was also gracious and graceful which was a thorn in her MIL's adulterous backside. Hye Suk, Ae Ja’s relative, had few options before her and she was furiously jealous of Ae Ja’s happy marriage and wealthy lifestyle. The MIL had her own horrible secrets which included not being a celibate widow and (gasp!) having a sexual affair with a man. Didn’t she know how o-l-d she was? And of course, there was our sharp as a tack hero, Lee Si Mok, who seemed to prove that one woman was just as good as another.

The title, A Bloodthirsty Killer/A Devilish Murder, made it seem that the vengeful ghost was the demon. After hearing Ae Ja’s horrific backstory, I’m inclined to give her a pass (except for terrorizing the children). Girl had her reasons. If you enjoy old films and ones that are horror adjacent, but not very scary, this would be one to try.

14 October 2026

Trigger warnings: Attempted sexual assault. And I suppose a form of demonic bestiality? Does it count when a ghost is half female specter and half cat? Also, sexual situations with humans implied, but nothing showing.

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"A woman's grudge is not something that easily goes away"

A woman exacting revenge on those who have wronged her may now be seen as a cliché. However, this film from the 1960s is an early contributor to the "Wonhon" motif (the Korean version of this concept).

A Devilish Murder subverts the expected revenge narrative and creates an interesting juxtaposition between the duality of women. Placing a spotlight on the relationships between the characters and their expected roles within the family, and society itself, provides an insightful reflection of the time period in which it was produced.

The premise is interesting and the use of music greatly contributes to the eerie atmosphere already established by the uncomfortable relationship dynamics and unsettling visuals. However, a lack of exposition makes the dated plot confusing and ultimately less enjoyable to follow.

Overall: 2.5/5
Quality: 3/5
Enjoyability: 2.5/5

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