TIFF 2024: I, the Executioner Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

Those looking for a pure action thriller will not be disappointed with I, the Executioner. Premiering in the Midnight Madness section at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (but appearing in the Special Presentations section at TIFF), the film is an absolute blast and one for those who like to be on the edge of their seats. Delivering on the action and thriller side of things, it is also surprisingly funny and it all works solely because of the superb chemistry of its cast. The story follows the exploits of the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, a dedicated squad of detectives who have dedicated their lives, while sacrificing their personal lives, to fighting crime. The film would see them fight perhaps their biggest perpetrator yet, a murderous vigilante getting justice for victims failed by the justice system they represent. Very much a team of misfits, their sense of camaraderie can be felt early on as they have been around the block a few times and got the job done. However, this time was different as the line between both sides of the law began to blur. As the vigilante developed folk hero status, they were out under an even larger microscope as the pressure to close the case grew.

While thrilling to watch, where the film truly thrived is within the smaller moments of the team interacting with one another, often razzing each other. The main focus was Detective Seo Do Cheol (Hwang), a cop closer to the end of his career who found himself balancing his family life and his job in the midst of what would be his toughest case. As the investigation progressed, the conspiracy, for which the vigilante was at the center of, was far reaching as he always seemed to be ahead of the authorities while that increasing pressure to capture him clouded the judgement of the higher ups looking to repair their reputation. Injecting some younger energy into the dynamic of the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit, the eager Officer Park Sun Woo (Jung) made his presence felt and soon joined the team. The teacher-student dynamic between he and Do Cheol was compelling to watch as they, along with the team, encountered plenty of twists and turns in pursuit of the crafty vigilante. Putting them all to the test, the answer ultimately hit close to home.

The writing and directing deserve credit in making I, the Executioner as exciting as it was. Giving audiences just about everything, the strong fight choreography lifts up its action scenes and while leaving them on the edge of their seats, they will also laugh along the way. The superb chemistry of Hwang, Jung, Oh (Captain Oh), Oh Dae-hwan (Detective Wang), Jang Yoon-ju (Detective Bong), and Kim Shi-hoo (Detective Yoon) tie it all together beautifully.

In the end, I, the Executioner is an absolute blast, delivering great action and a thrilling story that is also funny.

still courtesy of CJ Entertainment

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.