Beasts Clawing at Straws

"Beasts" is a little confusing at the start. We're shown three people who really need money (a low-income worker with an elderly mother, a young woman who is treated badly by her partner, and a government worker in debt to the underworld). And a bag of money that is there to be had.

But the timelines for these stories are not in sync, and the pacing can be rather slow (although there are still good moments).

The tension starts to build when the young woman is involved in a crime. But the film really comes to life when the woman's boss appears about half way through. She is a devastating femme fatale, played brilliantly by Jeon Do-yeon, and is at the heart of all the the action and intrigue and black comedy that follows as the three storylines are bound together.

Stick with it and you'll be rewarded with a sharp and entertaining finale.

I think the reviews before this did not even watch the movie, or just dont like foreign movies.

If you can appreciate these kind of movies, this one is definitely in the same league as Parasite.

From beginning till end it was exciting and it all comes together the longer it takes, and i dont want to spoil anything.

A bloody good thriller !

I know this is a sub-genre that some people love and they would split hairs, calling me a killjoy, but to me this is like...Layer Cake? 8 Heads in a Duffle Bag? There are also some South Korean films from about twenty years ago with similar themes, though admittedly the script is original in its character development and fine details. I don't know how people survived all of those head injuries, especially the old grandma. It's a dark comedy, not meant to be realistic, and apparently based upon a novel. The main protagonist any normal person would root for is a clerk at a jjimjilbang, a real working class victim of the system, so I can gladly put this well-written film into the cannon of SK flicks that defend the downtrodden poor.

I wont say it a total copy of ''No country for old men'' but it has some similarities. Specially, the money thing and killing every single one in its way .Besides, A lot of changes are made. Truly speaking, I like this one most. This isn't for everyone of course! Who doesn't get dark comedy at all. But for me it is worth watching. At first, I was pretty confused as I wasn't getting what's really going on! I didn't understood those character development and also the plots. After that plot started taking interesting turns as time pased. And I also love the way the director connected all those characters and plots.

Kim Yong-hoon's "Beasts Clawing at Straws" (2020) delivers a stylish and intricately plotted neo-noir thriller, immersing viewers in a darkly comedic world where desperate characters converge over a bag of money. The film excels in its complex narrative structure, weaving together multiple storylines with a masterful sense of timing and suspense that keeps the audience constantly guessing. The ensemble cast delivers compelling performances, each bringing a unique blend of desperation and cunning to their roles, enhancing the film's gritty atmosphere. Its strength lies in its sharp dialogue, unexpected twists, and a relentless build of tension, feeling organic and contributing significantly to the film's darkly humorous and thrilling tone. Instead of a straightforward crime story, it offers a clever and genuinely captivating puzzle of greed and consequence.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely. "Beasts Clawing at Straws" is a highly engaging and well-crafted thriller that offers a refreshing take on the crime genre, making it a compelling and satisfying watch for those who enjoy intricate plots and dark humor.