No mercy

I heard a lot about this movie and guess what none of it is false. It surprised me when the killer told the professor to temper the evidence that the time I thought maybe he was just trying to prove himself innocent hence he could get outta here. But never thought things gonna turn like this..

I went into this film cold. I knew nothing except that it did well in Korea. I had watched 'The Children' earlier in the week and it took me a few days to dry my eyes out over that one...the Koreans are so damned good at making films to genuinely tug on the heart strings. I won't give this very intelligent film a synopsis, I'll leave that to others. I've just finished watching this at home in the dark on my own, and that's how I like it. Good Korean films need to be savoured and enjoyed with no detail missed. No one else in my household appreciates these films other than the usual home made fodder and that suits me fine. This is a tense and sad film with a decent enough story line that gradually builds to one hell of an ending. It kept me on the edge of my seat from about 30 minutes in. I had to leave it 20 minutes in for a few hours as I kept getting interrupted first time around. Then I almost decided to not bother with it and to watch something else. Whoa! What the heck was I thinking!!! My patience paid off big time. That ending is the best I've seen in ages...but I seem to say this more often when watching Korean films these days. Beautifully done guys....fantastic film...shall I call it a masterpiece...yep along with several others I've recently seen. Someone gave it 3/10 are you nuts?!?!?

This movie reminded me of "Se7en" and "Law Abiding Citizen", but it's still a amazing thriller. The mystery revolving around the kidnapped daughter kept me intrigued from beginning to end, although the twist ain't very original the way it's done makes it, it's own. And one heck of a incredible twist it is. The tension between the two character is very high and it really is engrossing to watch, the script writing is also very cleverly done as well. The more stuff the plot uncovers made me more interested bit by bit until the crazy and yet great ending. Some people may gripe about the ending, but I personally really liked it. It's suspenseful thriller that is really worth watching, in fact it's one of the best suspense/thriller I seen this year with a ending that will stay with you for a long time. I don't even want to talk about the plot since the less you know the better. Sure it has few flaws, but overall I highly recommend checking this movie out.

7.8/10

I am a fan of good Korean thrillers, and I also have a soft spot for Kyung-gu Sol. The man is a pleasure to watch. 'No Mercy' is not as good as for example 'The Chaser', 'Memories of Murder' or 'I Saw the Devil', but definitely worth watching. Though for the most part the script is not highly original, it still glued me to my chair for two hours, and the end left me in shock. Some things you do see coming, some you don't, and this ending was absolutely perfect and more than I could hope for.

This is the debut movie by director Kim Hyeong-Joon, and IMO, he has put himself on the list. I hope to see some more of him in the future. Kudos!

The pathologist Kang Min-ho, one of the first to apply rigorous scientific procedure in autopsies, working for some time with the police investigation. Just when his daughter is coming back from a long period of study in the United States, he was given the mandate to examine the corpse of a girl brutally mutilated. Kang applies to the case with diligence sailed, but his professional detachment disintegrates when connecting the late arrival of his daughter with alleged murderer. The prime suspect is a radical environmentalist, Yoon Jong-gang, who quietly admits that he kidnapped the girl, but he tells Kang Min-ho that his daughter will only be free, if your doctor will be able to clear him of murder and bring back to freedom. Kang is forced to tamper with evidence, in a desperate attempt to free his daughter.

Indeed, if viewed as a whole, the film directed and written by Kim Hyeong-joon is probably still a little under the films like, I saw the devil, Vengeance Trilogy, Memories of murder, but that does not mean his work is not to present the same sensation. Yes, you could say to this year's No Mercy which is actually less audible echo is one of South Korea's best thrillers. With a great cast, intelligent plot, incorporating elements such as investigation style of forensic investigators on the U.S. television series, CSI or Bones in the first minute and then immediately 'sharp turn' when entering the main conflict. The series of scenes race against time and combined with the ability to control the situations.

Kim Hyeong-Jun presented the resolutions which are well measured at frequent intervals, so we are surprised from one turn to the next, from one voltage level to the next point.

Not many movies dare to fundamentally depress their audience: NO MERCY is not a happy movie and hence it doesn't gear towards a commercial happy end. Instead the reward for the open-minded audience is a sharp story with a determined, rational and yet surprising (more or less) ending that doesn't compromise. So if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Kim Hyeong-Jun was so kind though as to present us NO MERCY wrapped in gorgeous visuals and a formidable soundtrack – it's almost like a concession to ease the viewer's pain. Even if it doesn't really make NO MERCY more comfortable to watch – other than Kang at least the audience receives a bit of mercy after all.