The Villagers

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Marc Z Ma Dong-seok, aka Don Lee, stars in this Korean action thriller about an ex-boxing Coach who takes a teaching job after his temper gets him in trouble in boxing world politics.  He discovers that teaching at an affluent all girls school is, perhaps, harder than being a professional fighter.    To compound matters, a young student goes missing and his pursuit of her disappearance takes him to some dark places. Don Lee is a film sensation.   He has starred in some of the best films in the world, including Train to Busan, The Gangster,  The Cop & The Devil, and The Round Up series.  His mix of machismo and humor make him a formidable screen presence.   He is very good in this film.   His ability to transform his character from a "fish out of water" to a paternalistic hero is one he plays very believably. Kim Sae-ron's performance as a frustrated and untrusting student in search of her missing friend is very compelling.  She plays the role effectively, with subtlety. The two main leads go from adversaries to partners on a single quest and this is the heart of the film.   It offers the humanity in this thriller. The plot and Direction are very good and they embody some of the key elements of Korea's film success.   Those elements are strong characters, a good plot, and fluid lines between the good guys and bad guys that keep you guessing,  at times who can be trusted.   The action and fight scenes are good.   No one handles "one v. multiple attackers" better than Don Lee.  His believable conquest of mere mortals is always fun to marvel at. This film's fights are no exception The film is a worthwhile and I recommend it.     Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/12/25 Full Review Sarfaraz A This South Korean criminal thriller is also known as Neighborhood, and The Villagers. Lim Jin-sun is the film's director. Starring Ma Dong-seok and Kim Sae-ron (who died earlier in February 2025, in her final film). The film is about Gi-cheol (Ma Dong-seok), an ex-boxing champion who gets fired after an argument with colleagues and is now working in a remote small town as a dean collecting late fees at a girls' school. Upon approaching the town, he discovers posters about a missing schoolgirl. Gi-cheol encounters a young schoolgirl Kang (Kim Sae-ron), who has been distributing leaflets about the same missing girl, who was her friend. Gi-cheol gradually realizes that something is wrong when he attempts to inquire about the missing girl's report, which has yet to be reported or authorized. Gi-cheol and Kang form a partnership to investigate the crime on their own, and they face the wrath of those who attempt to conceal the truth. The film has a solid story and has some of the dark criminal elements. Ma Dong-seok and Kim Sae-ron give good performances. The mystery is likewise well-kept, and there is no gun violence aside from hand-to-hand fight. Kim Sae-ron seemed like a talented young actor, and it's unfortunate that she died so young. The media's pressure and a crazed public that despises people they cannot be by constantly targeting them undoubtedly contributed to her death. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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