Inexplicably popular serial killer pic from So Korea is dark, dank, bloody and almost as senseless as the crimes on display. The gimmick has a batch of dismembered victims turning up in bags around town, but with mismatched parts. (Just like chicken at the SuperMarket!) But there’s a link between the three victims, the same ex-girlfriend. So, when the cop on the case starts falling for her, that makes him the next likely target. It’s a perfectly workable premise, but director Youn-Hyun Chang is so busy pouring on the spooky atmosphere, bumps in the night and misdirection that he can’t be bothered with clues or police work. The method is all icing and no cake. The leading players are handsome in a blank sort of way, and there’s a nice character turn from the detective’s partner, but everybody is so slow on the up-take, you’re happy to get out after two long hours. Even with a twist ending that makes mincemeat of everything we’ve seen.
SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: David Fincher’s creepy SE7EN/’95 was an obvious influence, but there’s more than a pinch of JAGGED EDGE/’85 in here, too. Mixed blessings all.
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