"The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" is a South Korean action thriller film released in 2018. Directed by Park Hoon-jung, the movie revolves around the story of a young girl named Ja-yoon who mysteriously loses her memory and is later discovered to possess extraordinary powers. The film begins with a prologue set in a hidden facility where children are experimented on to enhance their psychic abilities. Ja-yoon is one of these subjects, but she manages to escape the facility and live a normal life with a kind-hearted family who adopts her. However, her peaceful existence is shattered when a group of mysterious men arrives in her town searching for her. As the men relentlessly pursue her, Ja-yoon gradually uncovers her hidden powers and learns about her true identity.
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion
‘The Witch’ opens with the aftermath of a massacre at a seemingly secret laboratory. Blood is everywhere and security personnel are scouring the nearby woods for a young girl who has escaped. She outruns her pursuers and ends up on a farm of a kindly older couple. Ten years later, said young girl Koo Ja-Yoon (Kim Da-Mi) is living a quiet and loving life with her adopted parents. Seeming like she has forgotten the brutal events of her early life, Koo Ja-Yoon struggles with intense headaches and, at her parents’ request, hides the “magic” she has within: being able to move, levitate and control objects at will. When she is encouraged to go on a national talent show by her over eager friend where she displays said magic, the violent past she once escaped comes crashing back into her life when those she escaped come looking for her, wanting revenge and to harness the power she harbours within.
A confident, tense, and come the final third hard hitting action film ‘The Witch Part 1’ is a smart, emotional, and often thrilling introduction to the world of Koo Ja-yoon and her powers. Mixing drama, sci-fi and blistering action into a heady concoction, writer/director Park Hoon-Jung crafts a unique comic book inspired film. Having written and directed the sublime ‘New World’ (as well as scripting the likes of ‘I Saw the Devil’) he swaps gangsters for young girls in a tale that is as much about Koo Ja-Yoon finding her place in the world as it is super-powered action. The film is a slow burn with the first hour mostly dedicated to us getting to know Koo Ja-Yoon, her dark past and its nefarious inhabitants, who are slowly introduced back into her world. This may make some impatient for the high impact action promised in the trailer but Park Hoon-Jung handles the slow burn with skill, world building with aplomb.
A sort of mix of ‘X-Men’ and say the ‘Bourne Identity’ but with personality all of its own, ‘The Witch Part 1’ is a slick mix of genres that brings human emotion and some wrought tension to proceedings. A blend of classy slow burn filmmaking and bloody violent action, the film may not be to everyone’s taste, but it certainly sets out to find its own rhythm and style. Unfortunately, as with many films that are billed as a first part, the flick can’t quite get away from too much set-up and not enough pay off. It is also hampered by a huge exposition dump two-thirds of the way through that almost stop proceedings in its tracks and of course ends on an either love-it-or-hate-it cliffhanger.
However, this is not enough to derail the film and with a late in the game revelation that turns proceedings on their head and the action blowout of the final third, means ‘The Witch Part 1’ stays on track and delivers the goods.
Fantasia 2018 Review: THE WITCH: PART 1. THE SUBVERSION, Kickass Korean Science Fiction Action
We join director Park Hoon-jung's The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion in the middle of a massacre. The bloody corpses of children litter the ground in what appears to be a medical facility/prison in a cleansing at the behest of a female overseer and her male subordinate. However, there are a couple of kids that just won't go down easily, and they are, of course, the most important of them all. One, a young boy, is retrieved, but the other, a young girl, takes off into the woods and escapes to a remote country house where she is adopted by an elderly couple and raised as their own. Ten years pass, and young Koo Ja-yoon (Kim Da-mi) built a new life as an average kid, seemingly harboring no memories of her violent past. However, when she decides to audition for a Korean star search show and accidentally live broadcasts some rather usual abilities to the country, her former captors find her and come after her. So begins a very intricate tale of violence and revenge that bears all the hallmarks of the best of Korean revenge thrillers, with a few newish tricks thrown in. Westerners will probably know Park Hoon-jung best as the writer of Kim Jee-woon's controversial serial killer thriller, I Saw the Devil, however, that's just one of a number of films with Park's unique stamp on the poetry of violence. He also wrote and directed Choi Min-sik's 2015's The Tiger, and 2013's incredible gangster film, The New World. This newest project sees Park adding science fiction to his already impressive resume, and the results are awesome. Existing somewhere at the intersection of the Bourne films and X-Men, The Witch is an intense experience that introduces some interesting new characters to the lexicon of Korean action cinema. Koo Ya-joon not only has some telekinetic abilities, but also fights like a demon, and when faced with other like herself, we get a delightful explosion of ultra-violence that leaves screen the soaked in blood and littered with broken bones. Koreans are no strangers to on screen violence, but I don't think I've seen it expressed in quite this way before, and it's exciting. Imagine an R-rated, grittier X-Men, and you'll get the idea. Only this time, the writing and acting are top notch. The cinematography by Kim Young-ho and Lee Teo is amazing, and really sells the top notch action choreography once the film makes its dramatic switch from witch hunt to action movie. The music and sound design also play a huge part in setting the tone. We're punched in the chest by a pounding, propulsive score by Mowg, and the sound design of the action sequences really allows the audience to take the punches with Koo. Kim Da-mi's performance in the lead is effective and creepy. She's asked to transform from a timid school girl to a raving maniac, hell-bent on vengeance, and handles both ends of the emotional spectrum very effectively. Kim also manages the action well, though I feel like most of that was done by teh camera, since so much of it is exaggerated FX. Her antagonists, Professor Baek (Cho Min-soon) and the bitter security guard Mr. Choi (Park Hee-soon), provide convincing menace and give Kim something solid to bounce off of. There is a best friend character, Myung-hee (Ko Min-shi) whose presence seems wholly unnecessary, but it's a small thing in the larger scheme, and mostly forgivable. At two hours and five minutes, The Witch isn't particularly long for this flavor of Korean action film, but given that it's set up as the first part of a story, it does feel as though they could've trimmed a bit from the set up. It takes its sweet time getting in motion, but when it does, The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion - a bit of an unwieldy title, if you ask me - is a hell of a lot of fun and will both satisfy Korean action fans looking for something different, and leave them desperate for more.
The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion
Director(s)
- Hoon-jung Park
Writer(s)
- Hoon-jung Park
Cast
- Seung-chul Baek
- Kim Byung-Ok
- Woo-sik Choi
- Da-Eun
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More about The Witch Part 1. The Subversion
- Trailer: Hyper-Violent Korean Action Film THE WITCH: SUBVERSION Finally Arrives In North America This March
[Fantasia Review] THE WITCH PART 1 – THE SUBVERSION Is an Explosive Beginning To a Female-Fronted Action Franchise
Fantasia is the rare time of the year when I get to enjoy cinema from across the world. I’m not normally one to watch South Korean horror movies, but based on what I’ve seen so far, I think I will be seeking them out more often. Korean filmmakers seem to be on another level completely. They can reinvent any genre that’s been tired in the West. Looking at the title of The Witch Part 1 – The Subversion, one might suspect that it would be in the realm of horror. But upon viewing, it’s more evident that the film is more in line with a superhero action film.
The Witch Part 1 – The Subversion opens with a bloodbath. A team of mercenaries have slaughtered an entire hospital ward of children, except for an eight-year old girl who manages to escape into the dark woods. Professor Baek, the woman overseeing the mass extermination, tells her death squad to let her go as she’ll most likely die in the woods. The next morning, a cattle farmer discovers the young girl, collapsed and covered in blood. He brings her into his house and calls the doctor, who says that she’ll live, though she’ll probably have no memory of the incident. The farmer and his wife decide to adopt the girl and call her Koo Ja-yoon.
Ten years later, Ja-yoon is all grown up. She’s top of her class and boys fall head over heels for her. Her parents, however, are having difficulties. The price of cattle has dropped and her father can’t afford to pay for feed. Additionally, her mother is showing early signs of Alzheimer’s. At the suggestion of her overly enthusiastic friend Myung-hee, Ja-yoon enters a televised singing contest called Birth of a Star to win money for her parents. She is able to wow the judges with her voice, but gets extra points when she levitates the microphone. Her magic trick rockets her into the quarter-finals to be held in Seoul. However, her television appearance also catches the attention of Professor Baek, surprised to see she survived all those years ago.
While on the train to Seoul, Ja-yoon meets a boy sitting across from her who claims he knows her. When she tells him he must be mistaken, he only laughs and calls her a witch. Myung-hee jumps to her friend’s defense and scares off the boy. At the quarter-finals, Ja-yoon is approached by a group of men in black suits, all with scars across their faces. They try to get her into their car, but Myung-hee once again swoops in to save her friend. There seems to be two factions pursuing Ja-yoon; the older men with scars and a group of teenagers led by Gong-ja, the boy from the train, who have been busy killing gene researchers and their families.
The situation quickly escalates when a paramilitary squad storms Ja-yoon’s home. They hold a knife to Myung-hee’s throat and demand that Ja-yoon reveal her powers. Something wakes up inside Ja-yoon and within seconds, all of the intruders are dead. In walks Gong-ja, laughing and clapping. He says there’s a reason why Ja-yoon aced all of her school exams without studying, why she was able to manipulate boys so easily and why she has an amazing singing ability. Like her, Gong-ja has powers of super strength, speed and telekinesis. He tells Ja-yoon that if he comes with her, no harm will come to her parents and all will be explained. Ja-yoon is brought to a facility, where she comes face to face to Professor Baek.
Any film that starts with the killing of children is not afraid to test the limits. But after such a shocker of an opening, The Witch Part 1- The Subversion takes a while to return to the action. But when the fight scenes begin, it’s all out massacre. Director Park Hoon-jung, credited as the writer of bloody revenge film I Saw The Devil, has crafted an adrenaline-inducing saga that is no less violent.
“..When the fight scenes begin, it’s all out massacre.”
Before the screening, the Fantasia jury announced that Kim Da-mi, who played Ja-yoon, had won the award for best actress. After seeing her in action, I’d have to agree. At such a young age, she was able to a range of emotions, from confused and scared at the beginning, to determined and cunning when Ja-yoon discovers the full potential of her powers. She’s living proof that we need more action films fronted by women. A special shout-out is also in order for Ko Min-shi as the loudmouth best friend Myung-hee, who had the audience in stitches with her quirky antics.
Speaking as a viewer who consumes way too much North American entertainment, The Witch Part 1 – The Subversion has similar tropes of a Hollywood superhero movie. The mass killing of the children at the top of the film reminds me of government targeting mutant children in the X-Men series. As the title suggests, this is only part one of the franchise, though I can’t imagine what more they can do with it, since everything seemed to wrap up in the end. Maybe if I had stayed in the theater long enough, I might have caught a post-credit scene that would clue me into the sequel. It’s highly unlikely though, Korean filmmakers are bit more original than that.
The Witch Part 1 – The Subversion had its international premiere on July 22nd at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal.
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Review: THE WITCH PART 1 – THE SUBVERSION (2018) TLDRTHE WITCH PART 1 – THE SUBVERSION has similar tropes of a Hollywood superhero movie. The mass killing of the children at the top of the film reminds me of government targeting mutant children in the X-MEN series. As the title suggests, this is only part one of the franchise, though I can’t imagine what more they can do with it, since everything seemed to wrap up in the end. Maybe if I had stayed in the theater long enough, I might have caught a post-credit scene that would clue me into the sequel. It’s highly unlikely though, Korean filmmakers are bit more original than that.
As the men relentlessly pursue her, Ja-yoon gradually uncovers her hidden powers and learns about her true identity. The story takes a twist as she comes face to face with her past and is forced to confront her mysterious abilities. With her newfound powers, she fights to protect herself and those she cares about from the relentless hunters.
"The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" keeps audiences engaged with its fast-paced action sequences and suspenseful storytelling. The film features impressive performances from its lead actress, Kim Da-mi, who effectively portrays the dual nature of Ja-yoon - innocent and vulnerable yet deadly and powerful. The movie also explores themes of identity, power, and the consequences of unchecked experiments. It delves into the ethical questions surrounding human experimentation and the potential dangers of manipulating individuals for one's gain. "The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. It's highly regarded for its engaging plot, well-choreographed fight scenes, and the strong performance by Kim Da-mi. The film's success led to the announcement of a sequel, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of Ja-yoon's story. Overall, "The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" is an enthralling action thriller that blends elements of mystery, superpowers, and societal commentary. With its compelling storyline and memorable characters, it captivates viewers from start to finish, setting the stage for an exciting sequel that promises to delve further into the world of Ja-yoon's powers and origins..
Reviews for "The Impact of 'The Witch Part 1: The Subversion' on Korean Cinema"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Witch Part 1: The Subversion". The plot was confusing and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow. The action sequences were the only redeeming factor, but even those felt forced and overdone. Additionally, the characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I found the movie to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Emma - 1/5 - "The Witch Part 1: The Subversion" was a complete waste of time for me. The film tried too hard to be mysterious and ended up being convoluted instead. The pacing was slow, and the story was predictable. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I couldn't relate to or connect with any of the characters, which made it difficult to care about what was happening. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a captivating or entertaining experience.
3. David - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Witch Part 1: The Subversion", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline had potential, but it lacked depth and failed to explore interesting concepts. The action scenes were decent, but they couldn't salvage the overall lackluster feel of the film. The characters seemed one-dimensional and lacked emotional depth. Despite some visually appealing moments, the movie failed to create a lasting impact. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of the genre.