Chugyeogja (The Chaser) (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Albert K

  
  A classically made movie that is tense, captivating, and excellently paced. About every Korean movie that I've seen, I've dug the gritty, realistic, and riveting nature of the stories but always desired for more thematic or moralistic content and "The Chaser" is no… More
  A classically made movie that is tense, captivating, and excellently paced. About every Korean movie that I've seen, I've dug the gritty, realistic, and riveting nature of the stories but always desired for more thematic or moralistic content and "The Chaser" is no different. The director takes us for a ride and he knows he is. What I especially admired about this movie was how there weren't any special mechanics, unique camera angles, or "indie-like scenes" that puzzle the mind; he lets the engrossing story do its work -- a classically made movie. The director's confident with the content that he has (Performances all around was superb, screenplay was engaging, and pacing was near-perfect). Extremely tense and frantic thriller that is sure to entertain; even the comic relief worked. On the contrary, there isn't much to it afterwards. "The Chaser" falls short from being a masterpiece... but that's many of the Korean movies that have been coming out nowadays. "The Chaser" is highly recommended. Adjusted the rating from 3 1/2 to 4 stars.

• xGary X

  
  An ex-cop fired for corruption now working as a pimp investigates when his girls start to go missing, leading him to a serial killer who is holding one of them hostage. The Chaser is not really what I was expecting. I was hoping for a kind of serial killer version of Heat, but rather… More
  An ex-cop fired for corruption now working as a pimp investigates when his girls start to go missing, leading him to a serial killer who is holding one of them hostage. The Chaser is not really what I was expecting. I was hoping for a kind of serial killer version of Heat, but rather than a charismatic criminal mastermind like a Hannibal Lecter, the villain here is just a nasty, sadistic little scumbag. He is also caught very early on in the film and spends much of it in custody as our "hero" tries to track down the missing girl before he is released for lack of evidence, which kind of dispenses with the mystery aspect of the story as well. For these reasons the film skirts a little too close to torture porn for my tastes and so it didn't appeal to me as much as it might have. On the plus side, it is a very well made film with solid performances all round, nice photography and skilled direction which makes for a quality thriller that will be worth a look for those interested in the serial killer genre. I was just hoping for a little more.

• El Hombre I

  
  Time and time, again, I've been impressed with the quality of film from S. Korea. I enjoy filmmakers taking their time to tell a story and to stray somewhat from conventional formulas found in other Asian markets, as well as the good ol' U.S. of A. The dynamic of… More
  Time and time, again, I've been impressed with the quality of film from S. Korea. I enjoy filmmakers taking their time to tell a story and to stray somewhat from conventional formulas found in other Asian markets, as well as the good ol' U.S. of A. The dynamic of dualities is very interesting. It demonstrates detective work by one that is not bound by the law and another group's ineptitude by being tied down through bureaucracies. The Chaser shows us how the very system we create to bring those to justice, is sometimes as impotent and powerless in the face of those monsters as are their victims. If you enjoy crime dramas, you can't go wrong with this film. As a sidenote; it also stars a very young child actor who can actually act. Children in these types of films, or most types of films ( I'm speaking to you, Jaden Smith) usually break the spell of being engaged in a story due to poor acting chops. In the case of The Chaser, the young girl had me all misty-eyed. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&amp;current=TheChaser.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/TheChaser.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• familiar s

  
  Most of the popular South Korean movies have been successful in striking a deal with me too. And if it's a thriller/horror, I'm overjoyed. Having heard too many praises about "The Chaser" only led to higher expectations, which, in turn, led to relatively more… More
  Most of the popular South Korean movies have been successful in striking a deal with me too. And if it's a thriller/horror, I'm overjoyed. Having heard too many praises about "The Chaser" only led to higher expectations, which, in turn, led to relatively more disappointment. It was undeniably a good thriller, but overall, I didn't feel it much different than the usual serial killer movies.

• Cynthia S

  
  Very graphic violence makes this film hard to watch at times, but if you can handle that then this is a pretty good thriller. The character of the pimp grows on you, as does the child. BUT,,,they could have cut out a good 30 min, cuz it has some downtime moments they could have done… More
  Very graphic violence makes this film hard to watch at times, but if you can handle that then this is a pretty good thriller. The character of the pimp grows on you, as does the child. BUT,,,they could have cut out a good 30 min, cuz it has some downtime moments they could have done without. Otherwise, pretty darn good.

• Alireza M

  
  Although it doesnt offer anything new and isnt unique and stylish like Chan-wook Park and Joon-ho Bong's movies.But it's a must see ,it has many cool sequences and you will enjoy the whole movie.

• Carlos M

  
  What a surprising film, a Korean serial killer thriller that defies the viewer's expectations and combines taut suspense with black humor to insert an unlikely (anti-)hero in a truly unpredictable story and grab the audience by the feet.

• Justin Y

  
  Hong-jin Na's <i>The Chaser</i> is a Korean thriller that travels down an unusual road.<p>The story comes down to events. More specifically, the beginning and the ending events. The early going of this picture is quite the suspense thriller, and at this point… More
  Hong-jin Na's <i>The Chaser</i> is a Korean thriller that travels down an unusual road.<p>The story comes down to events. More specifically, the beginning and the ending events. The early going of this picture is quite the suspense thriller, and at this point the story looks like it is heading down an exciting path. However, things change and with what happens in the middle, it is somewhat of a surprise that this film reaches 2 hours. The middle hour isn't exactly boring because the film making is good, but there is no sense of urgency for many things that transpire. There are some unlikeable moments.</p><p>All is forgiven in the last half an hour. Somewhat. This part of the film does an excellent job at creating a hero to route for, as well as an extremely hate-able villain. At the same time, it is unsatisfying. Why? Just watch it and find out.</p><p>The acting is great. Kim Yun-seok is a formidable lead, while the young adorable Kim Yoo-jeong impresses the most in the middle.</p><p><i>The Chaser</i> does a lot of things right; however, it is the unsatisfying and upsetting moments throughout the picture that disappoint. Is it worth seeing? Very much so.</p>

• Brian D

  
  Bold, solid and gripping something i havn't seen in a thriller in a long time.This is a great movie from korea and certain given hollywoodland a lession or two on making a great thriller.Have read somewhere that hollywood is doing a remake so get to see this one first before that… More
  Bold, solid and gripping something i havn't seen in a thriller in a long time.This is a great movie from korea and certain given hollywoodland a lession or two on making a great thriller.Have read somewhere that hollywood is doing a remake so get to see this one first before that muck it up.

• Luke B

  
  The Chaser takes on the tone of many similar, gritty Korean movies. It's great, but it's often unlikable. The Chaser angers it's audience by not following conventions. The darkness brings a sense that this is probably what 'would' happen, not what… More
  The Chaser takes on the tone of many similar, gritty Korean movies. It's great, but it's often unlikable. The Chaser angers it's audience by not following conventions. The darkness brings a sense that this is probably what 'would' happen, not what 'should' happen. The film is yet another attack on the incompetence of the police force and how it's all politics, rather than protecting and serving. The films subplot has most of the police being distracted by an incident involving the mayor and a bag of poo. This leaves us the oddest of heroes, in an ex-cop, now pimp, whom is simply looking for one of his girls. Korea does it again.

• Dean M

  
  Dark, brutal and spiked with originality. This Korean cop thriller genre can be very violent what I'm excepted. The chase is on, and the roller coaster of emotions following the pimp and the cops trying to stop the serial killer is nothing less than gripping, watching them go… More
  Dark, brutal and spiked with originality. This Korean cop thriller genre can be very violent what I'm excepted. The chase is on, and the roller coaster of emotions following the pimp and the cops trying to stop the serial killer is nothing less than gripping, watching them go from one success to despair in short spaces of time. The tension is high and will tug on you right to the end. Importantly there is a lot of humour. The main character, Joong-ho Eom, is incredibly dry-witted, and is a release valve for the tension in the film. As he carries the film, the acting is important, and both he and the serial killer are exceptionally good.

• Tsubaki S

  
  A hack job and a tedious exercise in pointless tricks and gimmicks, this movie is not "smart" or "clever", it just turns every single character that is not the killer into a dumb bufoon that can't even catch a cold. Silly coincidences, silly situations and… More
  A hack job and a tedious exercise in pointless tricks and gimmicks, this movie is not "smart" or "clever", it just turns every single character that is not the killer into a dumb bufoon that can't even catch a cold. Silly coincidences, silly situations and plenty of gore to distract the audience from it's sheer cinism and ineptitude in portraying a single convincing character. People comparing this with Memories of Murder both scare me and disturb me.

• Gordon A

  
  Taut Korean thriller which plays loose with the conventions of the genre so feels fresh. The fight scenes have a visceral edge to them and the ex-cop/pimp lead has an authentic air about him. Worth tracking down if you like Korean cinema.

• Lady D

  
  An impressive Korean Thriller about a Serial Killer, which has a high level standard of acting and believability to it. The violent gore is not in every scene, but the scenes when it does arise are frighteningly realistic. It does have it's moments whereby the fast pace of… More
  An impressive Korean Thriller about a Serial Killer, which has a high level standard of acting and believability to it. The violent gore is not in every scene, but the scenes when it does arise are frighteningly realistic. It does have it's moments whereby the fast pace of the films slows down somewhat, but soon picks up speed again and if anything, that heightens the suspense again. Although I've only rated this film a 4, I feel it's one that after one or two more viewings, the rating will inevitably rise. Incidentally there is a remake (presumably Hollywood) in the pipeline , I've seen comments that Leonardo DiCaprio may be taking an interest, (not sure if that's true?) it would be good to compare the two, but I have a feeling this one may come out on top.

• Nicki M

  
  Overlong, but well made suspense movie. Apparently up for a remake. I hope it isn't a car crash like the remade "My Sassy Girl" looks!

• Walter M

  
  In "The Chaser," another of Joong-ho's(Yun-seok Kim) prostitutes have gone missing, ostensibly to avoid paying the debt she owes him. With little choice left, he calls Mi-jin(Yeong-hie Seo) into action, even though she has a fever. She has a young daughter to support… More
  In "The Chaser," another of Joong-ho's(Yun-seok Kim) prostitutes have gone missing, ostensibly to avoid paying the debt she owes him. With little choice left, he calls Mi-jin(Yeong-hie Seo) into action, even though she has a fever. She has a young daughter to support and to work she must go. Once she gets to Young-min's(Jung-woo Ha) place, she finds leaving is impossible before being attacked and left for dead. Joong-ho, a disgraced ex-police detective, finally realizes something is up and connects a cell phone number to the disappearances. "The Chaser" manages to avoid becoming just another empty genre exercise with its kinetic action sequences that mix foot chases and heavy duty violence into a nonstop mystery, set mostly over a single night in Seoul. What hurts the movie the most is that it has at least five different endings and it probably does go on a little too long. Contrary to what Time Out New York says, this is a whodunnit. Who is Young-min? Is he the dumbest criminal ever or a brilliant psychopath?(I'll let you decide.) Surprisingly subtle, the film leaves his motivations in doubt until the end, and then only hinted at. Overall, the movie is mostly concerned with the price of a human life, as the investigation of a serial killer is contrasted with feces being thrown at the mayor. Joong-ho, of course, has his own ideas.

• August S

  
  A bloody and rampant thriller that also grasped the themes of politics and--if not--the system of the Korean law-enforcement. The Chaser was honest and (as I've noticed in ever Korean film) pure, clean and detailedly shot and if its aesthetics hadn't grabbed you yet, then… More
  A bloody and rampant thriller that also grasped the themes of politics and--if not--the system of the Korean law-enforcement. The Chaser was honest and (as I've noticed in ever Korean film) pure, clean and detailedly shot and if its aesthetics hadn't grabbed you yet, then the unforgiving story will. It's slow in a great thrilling sense, that dropped the bomb with grace and horrid surprise. If you're a fan of crime thriller, you'll definitely love this.

• Lesley N

  
  I've seen this twice now, without realising it, so apart from the "nothing" title luring unsuspecting film viewers to watch it again, how does it hold up the second time? Yes, it still holds up. Ex cop turned pimp realises his girls are going missing after visiting a… More
  I've seen this twice now, without realising it, so apart from the "nothing" title luring unsuspecting film viewers to watch it again, how does it hold up the second time? Yes, it still holds up. Ex cop turned pimp realises his girls are going missing after visiting a certain punter, and panic-stricken tries to track down the last one he sent before she too vanishes. It sounds a bit thriller by numbers, but there's several surprises, with an (initially at least ...if not most) callous small town hustler as the hero and a last fifteen minutes that'll never make it intact to Hollywood.

• John M

  
  PR

• Anthony V

  
  Fast becoming one of my favorite films, the script, performances and direction all come together to form a film as thrilling as it is original. Sure to be considered a modern classic in no time (it's already slated for a Hollywood remake). Put this one at the top of your list.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings