The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil is a gripping South Korean film that combines action and crime drama, directed by Lee Won-tae. Released on 15 May 2019, the movie stars Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, and Kim Sung-kyu. The film tells the story of an unlikely partnership between a gangster and a cop who team up to track down a serial killer, facing numerous challenges along the way.

The plot kicks off with a violent encounter when a man is killed after his car is hit. Jung Tae-seok, a dedicated cop, investigates the scene, suspecting a serial killer is at work. However, his superior dismisses his suspicions. Meanwhile, Jang Dong-soo, a powerful crime boss, becomes the killer's next target but survives a brutal attack. Believing the killer is unrelated to any rival gang, Dong-soo begins his quest for revenge and refuses to help the police initially. However, collaboration becomes necessary when they realize they must work together to bring the killer to justice.

Throughout the film, Dong-soo's henchmen track down the killer using a sketch and a license plate number. Eventually, the two men join forces: Dong-soo's motivation is revenge, while Tae-seok seeks to solve multiple murder cases for his career advancement. Tensions rise as Dong-soo orchestrates another murder using the killer's weapon, leading to conflict with Tae-seok, who is determined to uphold the law.

As the story unfolds, the duo faces numerous obstacles, including betrayal, intense fight scenes, and moral dilemmas. The film is marked by its engaging action sequences and clever plot twists, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Despite the chaos, there are moments of dark humor that lighten the mood.

In the climax, despite their differences, Dong-soo and Tae-seok come together to finally capture the killer, known as Kang Kyung-ho. However, the police struggle to gather sufficient evidence for a conviction. In a risky move, Tae-seok persuades Dong-soo to testify against the killer, which leads to a dramatic courtroom showdown where Dong-soo provides critical evidence, resulting in the killer's death sentence. Yet, this victory comes with a cost as Dong-soo is also apprehended due to his illegal actions.

With a runtime of 109 minutes, _The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil_ was well-received, holding a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 65 on Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reviews. Critics praised the film's unique blend of humor, action, and character development, with special recognition given to Ma Dong-seok's captivating performance.

The film's success has led to plans for a Hollywood remake produced by Sylvester Stallone, who also aims to star in the film. This highlights the international appeal and significance of the original Korean version.