The Witch: Subversion is a South Korean action thriller film that was released in 2018. Directed by Park Hoon-jung, the movie gained significant attention for its unique take on the superhero genre. The story follows a young girl named Ja-yoon who, years after escaping from a top-secret government facility, finds herself caught in a web of conspiracy and manipulation. At the heart of The Witch: Subversion is the theme of identity and power. Ja-yoon, played by Kim Da-mi, discovers that she possesses extraordinary abilities and is hunted by various factions who seek to control and exploit her powers. Throughout the film, she grapples with her true identity and the choices she must make in order to find her place in the world.

Film / The Witch: Part 1. Subversion

The Witch: Part 1. Subversion is a South Korean 2018 action-mystery film starring Kim Da-mi and written and directed by Park Hoon-jung.

Young Ja-Yoon's (Kim) dark past comes back to haunt her, 10 years after she managed to escape from a mysterious laboratory. A sinister man called Nobleman has learned of her special abilities and will now stop at nothing to get her into his masters' clutches.

But Ja-Yoon isn't the helpless, scared little girl everyone believes her to be.

Throughout the film, she grapples with her true identity and the choices she must make in order to find her place in the world. One of the standout aspects of the movie is its action sequences. The fight scenes are intense and well-choreographed, showcasing Ja-yoon's impressive combat skills.

Tropes associated with this movie:

• Alas, Poor Villain: For all his Smug Snake attitude and the things he was willing to put Ja-Yoon through, Nobleman's last living moments are used to portray him sympathetically. He laments how inhuman he, Ja-Yoon and the rest of the enhanced humans are, musing about how they "can't even die properly". While he also can't resist getting one last low-blow in, it's made clear that he has finally lost the will to go on and is probably welcoming death by now.
• Ambiguous Situation: When Ja-Yoon aims her gun at Nobleman, the screen cuts to black and a shot is heard. Later on Ja-Yoon walks past Nobleman's body, which is suspiciously angled so that we can't see his forehead. Did Ja-Yoon really shoot him? Or did she spare him as a sort of Cruel Mercy to just leave him to die painfully in the burning building and he's merely passed out from the strain of fighting her when we last see him?
• Amnesiac Dissonance: Ja-Yoon is a generally quiet and gentle girl, which causes her to become shaken whenever her past memories trigger, briefly turning her into a killing machine. In reality, the gentle girl was just an act from the beginning, and she framed her moments of self-defense as an example of this to make herself appear vulnerable to those she was manipulating.
• Amnesiac Hero: Ja-Yoon remembers nothing about her past as a lab experiment, and the movie is about her rediscovering the dark truths of what was done to her. Except that's only what she wants everyone else to think. She never had amnesia to begin with but faked it as part of a Batman Gambit to stave off the illness that's slowly killing her.
• Badass Adorable: Ja-Yoon is a short, slightly chubby girl, capable of dispatching of multiple armed goons with ease.
• Batman Gambit: Ja-Yoon manages to pull one on Dr. Baek and Mr. Choi, her former tormentors. Having known from the start that her genetic modification was the cause of her headaches and dwindling powers, she intentionally drew attention to herself at the audition and then let Dr. Baek's forces kidnap her, in order to procure a donor for a bone marrow transplant. After Dr. Baek has her injected with a serum that will hold her disease at bay for a month, a now fully powered Ja-Yoon gleefully informs her that she's been had, breaks free and goes on a one-girl-rampage inside her facility.
• Big Bad Duumvirate: Dr. Baek and Mr. Choi, who hunt Ja-Yoon throughout the movie and even threaten her family to make her come with them.
• Curb-Stomp Battle:
  • Ja-Yoon delivers one to the group of armed men that break into her home and hold her parents at gun point. They barely have time to react before she guns them down in turn and uses her superhuman abilities to take care of the rest.
  • Delivers this a second time to everyone at Dr. Baek's facility after successfully acquiring a temporary cure for her disease.
  • Nobleman is a sadistic psychopath who will gleefully taunt Ja-Yoon about her Dark and Troubled Past every chance he gets, make thinly veiled threats against her friends and family with a smile on his face and assaults regular civilians for the crime of accidentally bumping into him while on the phone.
  • Ja-Yoon is revealed to be one in the film's climax. She takes enormous pleasure in torturing Dr. Baek and fighting and brutalizing Nobleman and everyone else in the facility trying to get in her way. Though this could at least be understandable to some extent, see The Dog Bites Back above.

  The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion Review

  The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion was released on June 27, 2018, in South Korea. Directed by Park Hoon-jung, the thriller has won multiple awards, such as the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actress and the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actress.

  Young Ja-yoon escapes from a mysterious facility when she is 8 years old, appears to have lost her memory, and doesn’t know who she is. Found and adopted by an old couple that lives in the countryside, she appears on a nationally televised game show 10 years later to make money for her “parents”. However, when she makes the trip to Seoul for the show, her whole life is turned upside-down.

  Photo Credit: IMDB https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8574252/

  Jerri’s Commentary:

  The most intriguing element of the movie is its suspense and mystery. While it did take me a bit longer to figure out certain plot points, it allowed me to experience the full satisfaction of figuring information out. I found the plot twist in/at the (beginning, middle, end) to be mind blowing and totally unpredictable, but the ending was too open ended and therefore a bit confusing. After watching the movie for a second time, however, I understood it much better. A sequel is likely intended since it is labeled “Part 1”, but the supposed part 2 hasn’t come out yet. In the meantime, though, The Witch: Part 1: The Subversion is a great watch that will draw you in.

  Amanda’s commentary:

  What I really liked about the film was the action scenes. Although Ja-yoon had powers like super-strength and telekinesis, they didn’t overemphasize it to the point where she knocked down an entire lab. She was still strong enough to fight with others and succeed, but not exaggeratingly strong, like Hulk (sorry Hulk!). As far as negatives about the movie go, however, I didn’t really have any. I found the acting to be intriguing and engaging since it wasn’t overly dramatic or cringy to the point where I didn’t want to watch it anymore. The actors and actresses really did a good job and I can’t wait to see what happens next in part 2!

  The Witch: Subversion

  The life of a student with a mysterious past is turned upside down when a group of strangers wreak havoc.

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  The Witch: Part 1: The Subversion (English Subtitled)

  1:34 The Witch: Part 1: The Subversion (English Subtitled)

  

  The film also incorporates elements of suspense and mystery, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the truth behind Ja-yoon's past. In addition to its action-packed plot, The Witch: Subversion also explores deeper social and political themes. It touches on the ethical implications of human experimentation and the abuse of power by those in authority. The characters in the movie are not simply black and white, but rather complex individuals who are driven by their own motivations and agendas. Overall, The Witch: Subversion is a captivating and thought-provoking film that blends elements of action, suspense, and drama. It challenges traditional superhero narratives by delving into the darker side of power and the human condition. Through its well-developed characters and gripping storyline, the movie leaves a lasting impression on viewers and serves as a testament to the creativity and talent of the Korean film industry..

  Reviews for "Google's DeepMind AI vs. The Witch Subversion: Examining the Ethical Dilemmas"

  1. Jane Smith - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Witch Subversion" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story felt convoluted and confusing. I struggled to connect with the characters, as their motives and actions were often unclear. The action scenes lacked excitement and were poorly choreographed. Overall, I found this movie to be disappointing and a missed opportunity to explore its interesting themes.

  2. John Davis - 1/5 - I cannot express how disappointed I was with "The Witch Subversion." The storyline was vague and lacked depth, leaving me feeling confused and unengaged throughout the entire film. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The action sequences were poorly executed and failed to create any sense of thrill or excitement. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this movie and would not recommend it to others.

  3. Sarah Thompson - 2.5/5 - While there were aspects of "The Witch Subversion" that showed promise, it ultimately fell short for me. The plot was unnecessarily convoluted, making it difficult to follow and engage with the story. The character development was weak, and I didn't feel any connection or investment in their journeys. The action scenes, although visually appealing, lacked impact and failed to keep me on the edge of my seat. Overall, this movie had potential but failed to execute its ideas effectively.

  4. Robert Johnson - 1/5 - I found "The Witch Subversion" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me constantly questioning what was happening. The acting was subpar, with wooden performances that didn't bring any emotional depth to the characters. The action scenes were poorly choreographed and lacked any excitement. I was highly disappointed in this movie and would advise others to skip it.

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