If you are a diehard fan of the bold epic ‘Drug War’ by Johnnie To (2012), believe it or not… Lee Hae’s ‘Believer’ can give you the same thrilling vibe. Unlike most of Korean genre entertainments, which are based on a lovey-dovey, cute, and affectionate niche, this movie is an absolute exception. The direction, action, cinematography, and fight choreography make it very enjoyable to watch.
With its full pack of actions, captivating plot twists, energizing soundtrack, and none other than the brilliant and versatile actors is just more than a Hollywood film.
Directed by: Lee Hae -young
Genre: Crime thriller, Action, suspense, Crime fiction.
Sequel: Believer 2
Starring:
- Jung Ga-ram(Dong woo)
- Park Hae-joon (Park Seon Chang)
- Ryu Jun–Yeol (Seo Young Rak)
- Jung Joon-won (Deok-Cheon)
- Halley Kim (Soo-Jung)
- Cho Jin –woong(Won-ho)
- Steven Lim (Dong-Woo)
- Cha Seung-won (Brian)
- Kim Sung-ryung (Oh Yeon Ok)
Release date: 22nd May 2018
Running time: 2 h 4 min
Believer: To catch a devil, trust a sinner…
Storyline: The hunt for Mr. Lee begins
The gripping crime thriller glamorizes the back-and-forth between police officers and robbers while telling the tale of a major cartel drama. The plot revolves around how a low-level drug dealer (Rak), a former member of the cartel, for his revenge, starts working with an ambitious cop cum detective (Won ho) to destroy a deadly and insane drug boss (Mr. Lee).
Mr. Lee is the mastermind behind the biggest drug cartel in Asia, an intense mafia that deals a substance called Laika. And Rak was a survivor of a drug lab explosion, also previously worked with Mr. Lee’s gang. He wanted revenge for his deceased mother and his dog, for which Lee was responsible in a way. As the story proceeds, Won Ho teams up with Rak, as he is set on bringing down the unseen Lee. The situation got thrilling when Won Ho offered and consumed the drug Laika while imitating Mr. lee, in his mission. (spoilers!!!)
Believer: Pacing and Drawbacks
Despite being a remake of Johnnie To’s Drug War and praised for its outstanding cinematography, fast-paced narrative, and soaring vistas, critics called out a lack of character development and trueness of depth and chemistry to an extent. However, the captivating crime thriller embellishes a large cartel saga, reflecting the dynamic between law enforcement and criminals.
Believer: underlying themes and writing
Additionally, this film tells a seamless yet gripping tale of a drug gang, with moments that appear straightforward yet add intensity to the narrative. The action scenes, the background music complements the film perfectly, enhancing the ambience throughout.
Fundamentally, it also highlights aspects of human nature, such as betrayal, retaliation, and the nature of faith and trust. In the portrayal of bold and complex characters, Kim Jo-hyuk and Ryu Jun-Yeol display compelling performances and deliver each character without any nuance. With his Versatile acting, Ryu Jun–yeol proved himself again as the best actor. The supportive roles also delivered strong performances, particularly in fight and action choreography.
Leave a Reply