[Fantasia ’23] ‘Devils’ review: Torturous South Korean thriller goes to unexpected places

Devils has a lot to live up to. Its body swapping plot where a demented serial killer and a police detective swap bodies is wacky enough while the  recent trend of wild action movies to come out of South Korea only heightens the expectations. Does it do enough to separate itself from other great Korean genre films?

There have been plenty of body swap stories, but few have as many twists and turns. Devils spends little time on the cat-and-mouse aspect normally found in these types of movies. There is little suspense regarding how long the two can remain undetected in each other’s bodies. Aside from a pair of subplots at the police station, the focus is more about the lengths a person will go to in order to achieve what they want.

It is a surprising decision that seems to ignore the film’s biggest selling point. There are no close calls or slip ups to build suspense. This can be seen in the rapid pacing of Devils. Things are fast and loud from the opening moments. The attempts at tension come off as filler before the violence.

Instead of outrageous fight scenes or shoot outs, Devils has a number of gruesome torture scenes. From electrocutions with car batteries to good old fashioned butchering, there are plenty of screams and blood. At first it seems gratuitous – a strong argument can be made that some of it is – but it does play into the big twist.

The reveal comes almost out of nowhere in an extended flashback scene that initially feels out of place. It is a neat idea that can feel convoluted. There is a lot to take in – including a new character – and a huge suspension of disbelief is required. Still, it is in these moments that Devils shines. The plot shifts from a story about being in a different bodies to one about twisted passions and dedication.

It is an abrupt change that is punctuated by heated conversations. The motivations for both men become clear, and it is frightening all around. The performances become much more involved and nuanced. It brings an added seriousness that did not exist before. This makes for an exciting final act, but also serves to highlight the missteps of the earlier portions.

The Fantasia International Film Festival takes place from July 20 – August 9. Fantasia, news, tickets, and films can be found HERE