Monster (2021)

Un thriller con la T maiuscola e un protagonista d'eccellenza

Un thriller nel vero senso della parola (finalmente!), dai risvolti imprevedibili e capace di far dubitare - a turno - di tutti quanti, in certi casi anche più volte. Si associano poi tinte particolarmente forti, nei riferimenti e nei dati di fatto - se siete sensibili alle dita mozzate non è il drama che fa per voi, insomma - a delineare una vicenda complessa e ricca di intrighi, dove fatti e persone non sono mai quelli che sembrano.
Non è il mio genere preferito, ma se fatto bene - come in questo caso - è sempre una visione molto gradita. Posso dire che ha catturato l'attenzione davvero dall'inizio alla fine, e non mi capitava da molto tempo.
Storia complessa, che va seguita con attenzione e che intreccia le vicende poliziesche del presente a indagini del passato, sempre in bilico tra quella che è la professione, la vita privata e le storie personali di un gruppo di conoscenti, abitanti di una cittadina dove il non detto aleggia costantemente e dove il nuovo arrivato si ritrova a fare i conti con molteplici e intricate realtà. Una serie davvero ben strutturata e ben ideata, insomma.
Molti i colpi di scena davvero imprevedibili e, di svolta inaspettata in svolta inaspettata ci si avvicina sempre di più alla verità, percorrendo una strada tortuosa che non pecca quasi mai nella coerenza, la cui conclusione devo ammettere non mi ha lasciata pienamente soddisfatta: con le aspettative caricate a mille episodio dopo episodio, arrivare finalmente al dunque non è stato appagante come pensavo, gli incastri funzionano ma potevano funzionare meglio e risultare davvero spettacolari.
Il vero punto di forza del drama è però il cast, dove spicca un Shin Ha Kyun fantastico come non mai: attore davvero ma davvero brillante e poliedrico, capace di costruire personaggi unici e indimenticabili. Il suo Lee Dong Sik è al contempo carismatico e inquietante, suscita solidarietà e comprensione, a volte compassione, ma al tempo stesso timore e inquietudine, con quei sorrisetti da soggetto psichiatrico, sguardi che sembrano scrutare oltre quello che gli altri vedono, azioni apparentemente sconclusionate, delle volte esagerate e folli, ma in realtà sempre ponderate. Abbiamo poi il nuovo arrivato, Han Joo Won, interpretato da un validissimo Yeo Jin Goo: una coppia ben equilibrata, che parte in netto contrasto e facendo scintille per sviluppare via via un rapporto di stima, comprensione e fiducia. Una Bromance di tutto rispetto, insomma.
Ben delineati, anche se non altrettanto strepitosi, i personaggi secondari (un plauso particolare agli interpreti di Yoo Jae Yi e Kang Jin Mook).
In conclusione, un thriller che merita - forse senza rewatch già che perderebbe tutto il fascino - e una prova di recitazione davvero eccellente del protagonista.

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The Daesang for the 57th Baeksang goes to…

Shin Ha Kyun, of course! I can’t think of any other more worthy recipient of this prestigious accolade. He truly is the driving force behind Beyond Evil because without him, this drama would have ended up being Not Quite Evil. In fact this drama isn’t as much about evil as it is about filial piety (or lack thereof) and shady business ethics, with a dose of mental health issues included. In any case, I hope he gets a nomination at the very least because he is definitely deserving of the recognition for all the good work he has done here, and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself watching his performance in this extremely well made production.

This drama is set in the small town of Manyang, which has a sinister history of mysterious killings and gruesome mutilation of young women that remain unsolved until the present day. Part of this local community is a close-knit group of childhood friends, most of whom grew up to become members of the police force, while the others comprise the local butcher and convenience store operator, respectively. One day, a young hotshot police detective gets transferred to the Manyang police substation and all hell breaks loose in this sleepy town.

The plot is exquisitely written, despite not being groundbreaking, and we’ve seen this premise in many psychological crime thrillers. A small town with a hideous past and its suspicious inhabitants harbouring many unknown secrets, the perfect recipe for a can of worms that would’ve been better off left unopened. Except, in this case, it gets much more convoluted than that - a decades’ long conspiracy that culminates in a scandal of the highest order. This is very much a character driven drama and represents an in-depth case study of the complicated dynamics among the central characters. This is a complex and slowburn psychological whodunnit with dark humour and suspense along with themes of friendship, familial bond, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption.

Helmed by the young director Shim Na Yeon, a relative newcomer to the industry whose recent works cover mostly youth-themed melodramas and romance, and written by the experienced Kim Soo Jin whose previous crime dramas include Mad Dog and Life Special Investigation Team. Being part of the spring drama lineup of JTBC Studios, this drama features commendable production values. The cinematography showcases excellent shots of the Manyang town landscape, including the beautifully tall grass fields where multiple crime scenes have purportedly occurred, and the scenic port city of Busan for a story arc that lasts a couple of episodes. Other than that, the majority of the drama is set in the bright interrogation rooms and gloomy holding cells of the Manyang police substation, Munju police station and the Seoul police HQ. There are countless scenes of barbequing meat and drinking at the Manyang diner-cum-butcher shop as well.

The drama’s true strength lies in its cast and their superb acting, as well as the overall quality of the dialogue. Ever the consummate pro, Shin Ha Kyun does what Shin Ha Kyun does best. For the uninitiated (and for the purpose of managing excessive shock or awe), expect visceral intensity and raw emotions conveyed via truly immersive wholehearted portrayals. For regular viewers and admirers, his execution here is even more elevated from his usual performances in Less Than Evil and Pied Piper. His characterization of Lee Dong Shik is a delicate balancing act between nuanced and downright insane, and will probably represent the standard of acting for this genre in years to come (a close comparison would be Lee Hee Joon’s characterization in Mouse, so there’s potential in this area). Depicting a flawed anti-hero complex and emotionally traumatized character shouldering the burden of a profoundly tragic past is certainly no mean feat and Shin Ha Kyun does it magnificently indeed.

Of the 2 MLs featured in this drama, the other lead is the character of Han Joo Won who is decently portrayed by Yeo Jin Goo. Those familiar with his works would no doubt witness the same signature aspects of his acting. Since Hotel Del Luna (and even earlier, The Royal Gambler) he has perfected the art of the “intense gaze”. Not many actors can pull off this trademark look. An added bonus in this show, he does a near-complete character change that lasts a few episodes at the midway point. Despite not being a fan of the character - he comes across as aloof, sanctimonious, petulant, selfish and entitled, who possesses an unhealthy and somewhat irrational obsession for solving crimes while incessantly defying his own father at every turn - I do appreciate the characterization. The chemistry between the two men, Lee Dong Shik and Han Joo Won, is on point and works very well.

They are ably supported by the rest of the cast comprising the experienced veterans Chun Ho Jin, Choi Jin Ho, Kil Hae Yeon, Heo Sung Tae, Kim Shin Rok and Lee Kyu Hoe. Their versatility truly shows in playing a mix of understated, layered, OTT and mentally unstable characters. I’m also quite impressed with Choi Sung Eun in particular, whose portrayal of Yoo Jae Yi is very powerful and convincing and she stands out as the strongest female character in the show.

Aside from the acting, one aspect that probably doesn't get enough appreciation and recognition is the music for the drama. Kudos to the music director, the hugely experienced and prolific Ha Geun Young, who has done a fantastic job of arranging the original score with an infusion of contemplative jazz performed by a big band ensemble. There's more than a hint of cabaret and the vibe of classic film noir that somehow perfectly captures the essence of the drama. In addition to the music score, the accompanying original songs are terrific as well:

1. Choi Baek Ho - The Night
2. BIBI - Timeless
3. Car The Garden - Empty
4. SunWoo JungA - The Road

All things considered, Beyond Evil has been a hugely satisfying watch and certainly went beyond my initial expectations. I sincerely hope this drama and Shin Ha Kyun will be part of the nominations to be announced next week for the 57th Baeksang Awards this year. They absolutely deserve it!

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