Meeting Ma Dong-seok again

Ma Dong-seok is an actor dubbed the "king of action films" in South Korea, with many roles in series such as "The Outlaws," "Unstoppable," "The Gangster," "The Cop," "The Devil," and "Train to Busan."

Three members of the demon-hunting team.

This time, he is involved in producing, co-writing, and starring in the horror film "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." How is this work different from the actor's previous films?

In Can Tho , the film is currently showing at Lotte Cinema and CGV theaters.

The film's plot revolves around the activities of the "Holy Night" group, consisting of three members: Bau (Ma Dong-seok) - a man who uses his fists to confront demons, Sharon (Seohyun) - an exorcist with the ability to sense and banish evil spirits, and Kim Gun (Lee David) - a tech assistant who helps with their missions. This group operates as a private organization specializing in hiring people for exorcisms.

Meanwhile, a criminal organization worshipping demons has emerged in Seoul. They harm people, sow chaos, and cause the disappearance of many innocent individuals. Bau's demon-hunting team is overwhelmed with work. One day, psychiatrist Jung-won (Kyung Soo-jin) seeks their help as her younger sister, Eun-seo (Jung Ji-so), shows signs of demonic possession. While performing an exorcism to save the girl, they uncover the lair of a cult led by an old acquaintance of Bau. In this battle, the team members not only fight demons but also must overcome their own psychological demons…

In the lead role, Ma Dong-seok maintains his familiar image: cold and ruthless, resolving everything with his fists. His powerful and decisive action and fight scenes are more than enough to draw audiences to the theaters, captivating enough to keep the film on track, but they lack the distinctiveness to truly impress or create a breakthrough.

The novelty lies in the fact that instead of investigating crimes or fighting humans, Ma Dong-seok battles demons and investigates the evil forces behind the manipulation. He is accompanied by Sharon, a female exorcist with psychic and demon-exorcising abilities. The battle is therefore more captivating, blending horror and mystery. The exorcism rituals follow a sequential process, each step a tense battle of wits and strength. Occasionally, the film includes humorous moments, providing laughs and helping viewers relieve tension.

However, the standout performance wasn't from the main actors, but rather Jung Ji-so as Eun-seo, who captivated the audience with her nuanced portrayal of the character's emotions and expressions. Every glance, breath, voice, and gesture was vividly expressed, evoking fear or pity in the viewers. Her performance made the audience believe that a terrifying evil force was tormenting the girl's body and possessing her soul.

Bau's past tragedy and Sharon's psychological struggles are not fully explored or understood; the plot is simple, predictable, and uses familiar motifs… these are some of the film's limitations. In South Korea, the film did not achieve the expected box office revenue, but for the general audience, it is a sufficiently entertaining film.

CAT ANGEL

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/gap-lai-ma-dong-seok-a186470.html