Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

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Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

R

2002

2h 9m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Deaf-mute Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) has just been fired from his job in a Seoul, South Korea, factory, and the timing couldn't be worse. His sister (Im Ji-eun) is suffering from kidney trouble, and she needs a transplant that Ryu himself can't provide. Ryu and his girlfriend (Bae Doona) then kidnap the daughter of wealthy tycoon Park (Song Kang-ho) to raise the money, but an unexpected disaster strikes, and Park launches a bloody quest for revenge that leaves many dead and puts Ryu's life in danger.

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Critics Consensus

Though Park directs with stylistic flair, this revenge thriller is more excessively gruesome than thrilling.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Jun 28, 2022

...the same dramatic visual style and cruel plot twists, but the mechanical retribution is even more boring...

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Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

Jul 22, 2014

3.5/5

There's a genuine sophistication, both technically and thematically, to what Park is doing in Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance.

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Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Oct 28, 2005

3/4

Park prizes craftsmanship over bargain-bin schlock. It's an odd testament to his spiritedness that, despite the coldblooded killing and trail of the dead, Mr. Vengeance feels warmly suffused with life.

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David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

May 9, 2020

All three leads are deadpan perfect, especially Shin Ha-kyun...

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Donald J. Levit

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Nov 19, 2014

The physicality of the violence in 'Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance' spirals beyond control.

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Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Apr 29, 2009

A disappointing, dull, and often tedious examination of different people seeking different forms of revenge...

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Rohit R

@RT41221724 Aug 21, 2026

Very brooding. And a very philosophically tragic movie.

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andrea C

@Charst Jun 23, 2026

Primo capitolo della trilogia della vendetta di Park Chan-Wook che fa immergere lo spettatore in un dramma di rara potenza, tra personaggi atipici e degrado sociale, in un turbinio di emozioni ed in una spirale di violenza che colpiscono ed attraggono. Di altissima qualità la sceneggiatura, originale, piena di dettagli e sempre coerente al suo stile; con una serie di incredibili personaggi che nonostante le loro stranezze non fanno mai perdere credibilità al film, anzi ne aumentano il valore. Il livello attoriale non eccelso forse ne mina leggermente alcune sequenze. Il dramma e le immagini forti sicuramente riducono la platea ma rendono il film ancora più vero e credibile; oltre che estremamente coraggioso.

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Christian M

@chriss17eu Dec 9, 2025

Stranger feelings. 'Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance' is a divisive film. Park Chan-wook delivers a bold, striking visual style, but it didn’t fully captivate me despite its careful composition. The pacing feels slow and long, requiring patience. The story meticulously explores morality, human struggles, conflicting interests, and vengeance. While solid, it can be exhausting and depends on the viewer’s engagement to feel impactful. Its strength lies in conveying drama and empathy: the performances let you feel each character’s motivations and dilemmas, subtly guiding the viewer to question who is "good" or "bad." Despite this, the film leaves me largely indifferent. It’s cold, meticulous, and enjoyable only in moderation. Honestly, it gives little hope for the next installment: Oldboy.

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Dani G

@RT81139271 Aug 25, 2025

I remember it was more violent, based on the first time I watched it many years back. It is, but it feels more like a rehearsal for the filmmaker's masterpiece... Of course I'm referring to 'Oldboy'

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Slick R

@SlickReviewer Jun 30, 2025

TBH it was kinda boring for me. Good original story but not as good as other classics. What is the deal with Koreans and slicing each other's Achilles tendons???

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Rehan T

@RT81460504 May 5, 2025

Very sad movie. Life is really tragic for some people...

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Park Chan-wook

Director

Song Kang-ho

Park Dong-jin

Bae Doo-na

Cha Yeong-mi

Han Bo-bae

Yu-sun

Kim Se-dong

Chief of Staff

Lee Dae-yeon

Choe

Face

63%

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Synopsis

Deaf-mute Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun) has just been fired from his job in a Seoul, South Korea, factory, and the timing couldn't be worse. His sister (Im Ji-eun) is suffering from kidney trouble, and she needs a transplant that Ryu himself can't provide. Ryu and his girlfriend (Bae Doona) then kidnap the daughter of wealthy tycoon Park (Song Kang-ho) to raise the money, but an unexpected disaster strikes, and Park launches a bloody quest for revenge that leaves many dead and puts Ryu's life in danger.

Director: Park Chan-wook
Producer: Lee Jae-seon, Im Jingyu
Screenwriter: Lee Jae-seon, Mu-yeong Lee
Distributor: Tartan Films USA
Production Co: Studio Box
Rating: R (Strong Gruesome Violence|Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 29, 2002, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 19, 2005
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 16, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $45.2K
Runtime: 2h 9m
Sound Mix: Surround

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