Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

R

Released Mar 29, 2002

2 hr. 9 min.

Drama

List

53%

58 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Deaf-mute Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) has just been fired from his job in a Seoul, South Korea, factory, and the timing couldn't be worse. His sister (Im Ji-eun) is suffering from kidney trouble, and she needs a transplant that Ryu himself can't provide. Ryu and his girlfriend (Bae Doona) then kidnap the daughter of wealthy tycoon Park (Song Kang-ho) to raise the money, but an unexpected disaster strikes, and Park launches a bloody quest for revenge that leaves many dead and puts Ryu's life in danger.

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Critics Consensus

Though Park directs with stylistic flair, this revenge thriller is more excessively gruesome than thrilling.

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allie a

Who is the victim when everyone is criminal ? Film repeats this questions while the victimhood shifts to one another until the need for a rightful vengeance becomes for everyone. As, Park Chan-wook's extremely violent cinematography escalates, our judgment of right and wrong is being destroyed for good. In that way, the narrative reminds Asghar Farhadi's cinematic language. Yet, Park Chan-wook doesn't let us go easily.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

S. C

As brilliant as the rest of the revenge movies, however this one gives you the choice who you want to root for. That's what I liked the most about it. The movie doesn't make it clear who the protagonist or antagonist is. You are being given the choice. I loved the screenwriting. There's lots of amazing cinematography to find, highlight performances from the actors to watch and great production design to see. I really liked that the music was sparingly used. I feel like the lack of soundtrack enhances the grittiness and realism of scenes, and since the story is not too crazy or theatrical to begin with it was a great choice made. Throughout there's not much to hear but whatever is on screen, thus giving the viewer the freedom to see it for what it is and to feel any emotion without a tune to guide you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/23

Full Review

JJJJJJ J

This film is really a mixed bag. The first hour is really good. Well shot, compelling narrative, character but the last hour... its just a let done. There is no emotion to it. Its just two men killing people. There is clearly motive and emotion behind their actions, yet the scenes feel as if they lack that emotion. There was a compelling narrative that could have been told but it just isn't... There was more to this story. Many will want to watch this as part of "vengeance" trilogy and in someways I think that makes sense. But for casual viewers looking for a good noir, thriller, etc. to watch there are just better movies and stories out there. I'd recommend staying away from this film unless you watching it as part of the trilogy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/23

Full Review

Joey c

The ratings must be kidding?!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/23

Full Review

Sara Helena A

it was not bad but neither good. it has a beautiful seeing of things, and how bad things can go, even if you are the good guy. i liked how it was a slowburn, and i liked that i got devorted into the movie slowly.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/22

Full Review

pasha a

Have seen better Korean movie!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Park Chan-wook

Director

Song Kang-ho

Park Dong-jin

Bae Doo-na

Cha Yeong-mi

Han Bo-bae

Yu-sun

Kim Se-dong

Chief of Staff

Lee Dae-yeon

Choe

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

...the same dramatic visual style and cruel plot twists, but the mechanical retribution is even more boring...

Jun 28, 2022

Full Review

Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

There's a genuine sophistication, both technically and thematically, to what Park is doing in Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 22, 2014

Full Review

Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Park prizes craftsmanship over bargain-bin schlock. It's an odd testament to his spiritedness that, despite the coldblooded killing and trail of the dead, Mr. Vengeance feels warmly suffused with life.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 28, 2005

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

All three leads are deadpan perfect, especially Shin Ha-kyun...

May 9, 2020

Full Review

Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

The physicality of the violence in 'Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance' spirals beyond control.

Nov 19, 2014

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

A disappointing, dull, and often tedious examination of different people seeking different forms of revenge...

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

Deaf-mute Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) has just been fired from his job in a Seoul, South Korea, factory, and the timing couldn't be worse. His sister (Im Ji-eun) is suffering from kidney trouble, and she needs a transplant that Ryu himself can't provide. Ryu and his girlfriend (Bae Doona) then kidnap the daughter of wealthy tycoon Park (Song Kang-ho) to raise the money, but an unexpected disaster strikes, and Park launches a bloody quest for revenge that leaves many dead and puts Ryu's life in danger.

Director: Park Chan-wook
Executive Producer: Lee Kang-bok, Dong-jun Seok
Screenwriter: Lee Jae-seon, Mu-yeong Lee
Distributor: Tartan Films USA
Production Co: Studio Box
Rating: R (Strong Gruesome Violence|Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 29, 2002, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2005
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 16, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.2K
Sound Mix: Surround

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