The Merciless

This movie outdid itself - is simply not any dude bro action flick. It has everything that has been lacking in many blockbuster films that I have been waiting for - for years.

I can tell the team behind it were passionate about the project; the sound effects are poignant when it matters the most, the fighting scenes have humour with people flying out of view (I legit laughed out loud), and the cinematography (sometimes like wes anderson), with appreciated story boarding, makes for contrast and relief from the building tension in the full 117 minutes - which I was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of it.

The film feels like it was made with meticulous love and I recommend it for anyone searching for a ride or die action drama.

Hint: invest in the relationships as there is more than meets the eye.

Also, better than Infernal Affairs, better than the american version The Departed, which, come on, hollywood always forgoes about character and relationships to more fighting scenes.

The Merciless didn't skimp on any of the good stuff - it is in a league of it's own. Shippers will be satisfied - I can't wait to get my hands on a director's cut.

An Expecational Korean Action,Suspense,Drama movie story was soo good,Engaging & Deep ...Two tottaly different people how attached with each other ,betryal then trust then again Betryal & continue,,,,,Direction,Script was soo good,Story was very different & Acting was soild by all cast especially Gangster guy & Siwan

This is one of my absolute favorite K-action movies!

I've watched this movie the first time when it came out and rewatched it again now, even with all movies I've come across between and, in my opinion, it's the last decent K-action/thriller movie made so far.

First of all, the actors. Wow! Honestly, Siwan surprised me with how he absolutely nailed this role, Kyung gu is exactly how you'd want the actor for this role to be, and the chemistry between them is top notch.

The movie is not slow pased at all, it's more of a calculated, fermented thing, where every scene and every line has to have a perfect impact. Even better that is switches between past and present to give more depth to characters relationship. This movie is a masterpiece.

I'm confused with the reviews below 7. Are we watching the same movie?

This movie is really good. For those who like the crime genre, it's engaging and not boring. I've rewatched it more than 20 times. It's that good. You need to pay attention to the actors' microexpressions. Observe the cinematography and the chemistry-everything is perfect.

If you rate it below 7, it might not be your genre. You have to focus on the details. Im Siwan's acting here is truly amazing. Sol Kyung-gu's characterization is also impressive; he consistently delivers a stable and expressive performance. Chungmuro is truly remarkable.

This movie really made me obsessed.

This film was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.

If you want to see what top shelf action crime drama looks like ,The Merciless, as the title translates, is its very definition.

This is a polished, likeable, laughable but ultimately, very dark film. Its essence if you look closely, is a proxy dysfunctional father son styled relationship. The older and younger crime figures play ball, they have fun, they make jokes, hang out, rough house, conspire, collaborate, share the good and the bad.

Of course given the nature of what they are and what they do the outcome was and is, very bleak and could be nothing else. In its closing scenes there's a certain sense of the events of this film coming full circle too. Of loss and a grim kind of anti hero, rebirth.

If you like quality crime drama, with healthy amounts of action, with an adjoiner that this film is violent and occasionally sadistic, then you really can't do better than this offering from Korea. A deeply impressive effort. 10/10 from me.