The second part of The Witch takes the reader deeper into the story of the witch, delving into her past and exploring the reasons behind her actions. Throughout this section, the author reveals more about the witch's history and how she came to be the powerful and feared figure she is in the present. One main theme that is explored in this part is the idea of redemption. The witch, although initially portrayed as a villain, is shown to have a complex and troubled past that has shaped her into who she is. As the reader learns about her backstory and the challenges she has faced, it becomes evident that there is more to her than meets the eye. This raises the question of whether redemption is possible for someone who has committed such heinous acts.
Amanda’s Commentary
What I enjoyed about this movie was the interactions of the girl with Kyunghee and her brother as well as Goo Ja-yoon s feature towards the end of the movie. From pulling doors off cars to knife fights that don t miss and giant storms of rocks that rip bodies apart, there is nothing small about the action-packed into The Witch 2.
This raises the question of whether redemption is possible for someone who has committed such heinous acts. Another key aspect of this section is the exploration of the witch's relationships with others, particularly with her supposed victims. As the reader delves deeper into the witch's story, it becomes clear that the lines between good and evil are not as clear-cut as they may seem.
REVIEW: ‘The Witch: Part 2. The Other One’
The Witch Part 1: Subversion was one of my favorite films of 2018. It was packed with science fiction and action all while questing biomedical ethics and using extreme violence to not only shock, but tell its story. Now, from writer-director Park Hoon-jung, the sequel is here. The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (The Witch 2) builds out the world that director Park created by increasing the number of superhumans and turning their powers up to 11.
In this sequel to the popular Korean sci-fi action thriller The Witch, the story moves away from a confined secret lab and out into the real world. After a mysterious girl emerges as the sole survivor of a bloody raid on the research facility called the Ark behind the top-secret Witch Program, she is rescued by a pair of civilians, Siblings Kyung-hee (Park Eun-bin) and Dae-gi (Sung Yoo-bin), who soon realize the girl is both very powerful and in very grave danger. However, as the assassins tasked with locating and silencing the girl move ever closer, the lives of everyone balance on a razor’s edge.
While this sequel doesn’t reach the level of its predecessor it is still a thrilling watch. With over two hours of story, uses every minute to build up atmosphere and characters that pays off in stellar displays of violence. Sure there are elements of ethics that were involved in the first film, but the bulk of The Witch 2 is centered on ramping up the spectacle and pushing the gas pedal on making action set pieces grander than they were in the first season.
The first act of the film ramps up slowly. It sets the stage by bringing the story of the Witch Program back “many years” and introducing a new girl with a past that is shrouded in secrecy by deeply connected to Ja-Yoon (Kim Da-Mi). Cloning, assassination, lots of blood, The Witch 2 is centered around the girl that brings multiple agencies with different motives together in a final act. In a lot of ways, the film is best explained as a violent superpowered fight fest with some story thrown in. In fact, unlike the first film, much of the violence in the film doesn’t always push the narrative forward. Instead, they pop up like gems of brutality.
From pulling doors off cars to knife fights that don’t miss and giant storms of rocks that rip bodies apart, there is nothing small about the action-packed into The Witch 2. There is no subtlety or nuance, just larger and larger sequences that don’t stop building on each other. The center of the bulk of these fights is Jo-hyeon (Seo Eun-soo) the head officer of the agency tasked by the leaders of the Witch Program to capture the girl. She’s unyielding, angry, and capable of singlehandedly decimating an entire facility on her own. With heightened strength and speed, Jo-hyeon is a force on screen and manages to carry herself with an authority that matches the share physical space her well-over 6’3″ English-speaking partner.
That said though, The Witch 2 is a sequel that never feels superfluous. With so much action shoved into the film, not a single moment feels repeated and each fight sequence feels more innovative than the last. But that also means that the lore of the world pales in comparison to such an expansive action-focused cast. This ends up being both a good thing and a bad thing.
For existing fans of the first film, there is a hollowness to how the story, meaning, and science fiction elements develop. That said, there is enough exposition and new elements added that coming into The Witch 2 without seeing the first film isn’t a bad idea. That said, the film’s last act carries more weight when you have seen the first film.
Overall, The Witch: Part 2. The Other One is a film that is extremely exciting for the action alone. While it’s a tad too long, especially for a fairly minimal story, the action is unyielding and pays off entirely – even if it’s a little overstuffed.
The Witch: Part 2. The Other One is being released by Well Go USA and screened at Fantasia Fest 2022.
There is an attempt to build up a relationship between The Girl, Kyung-Hee and her dorky brother Dae-gil (Sung Yu-been) which creates a few genuinely tender moments between these characters. But this is diluted by a story that is overstuffed with too many subplots and throwaway characters which makes it hard to follow the actual point of the film.
The witch's interactions with those she has harmed reveal a complex web of emotions and motivations, further adding to the overall complexity of the character. Furthermore, the second part of The Witch delves deeper into the theme of power and its corrupting influence. The witch's abilities and the dark forces she wields have taken a toll on her, resulting in the loss of her humanity and her descent into darkness. This is a cautionary tale that serves as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the destruction it can bring. Overall, the second part of The Witch is a captivating continuation of the story, delving deeper into the complexities of the witch's character and exploring themes of redemption, complex relationships, and the corrupting influence of power. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, the author keeps the reader engaged and eager to uncover the witch's true nature as the story unfolds..
Reviews for "The impact of "The Witch: Part II" on the horror genre"
- Sarah T. - 2/5
I was really excited to read "The second part of the witch" after hearing all the hype, but I was left feeling disappointed. The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about their fates. The pacing was also off, with the plot dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, I was let down by this book.
- John D. - 2/5
"The second part of the witch" was a huge letdown for me. The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The author seemed more focused on creating a complex world rather than developing interesting characters or a captivating plot. On top of that, the book was filled with cliches and predictable twists. I had high hopes for this novel but unfortunately, it fell flat.
- Emily R. - 1/5
I'm sorry, but "The second part of the witch" was just not for me. The writing style was pretentious and the story felt disjointed. It was hard to decipher what was happening and the characters were completely unrelatable. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and ended up skim-reading just to get through it. I regret reading it and would not recommend it to others.