South Korean cinema has this weird, almost supernatural ability to take a tired genre trope and flip it on its head. You’ve seen the "unlikely duo" bit a thousand times. Usually, it's two mismatched cops or a private eye and a witness. But The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (originally titled Akinjeon) does something way grittier. It forces a brutal mob boss and a hot-headed detective into a room together because they both want to kill the same person.
It's based on a real-life string of murders, which makes the whole thing feel ten times heavier.
Released in 2019 and directed by Lee Won-tae, this movie isn't just about punch-ups and car chases. Well, it is, but it’s mostly about the thin, blurry line between legal justice and street justice. If you’re tired of the sanitized, predictable superhero arcs dominating Hollywood lately, this is the palate cleanser you need.
The Premise That Shouldn't Work (But Does)
The plot is basically a three-way collision. Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) plays Jang Dong-su, a massive, terrifying crime lord who survives a random stabbing by a serial killer. He’s the "Gangster." Kim Mu-yeol plays Jung Tae-seok, a cop who hates the mob but realizes the law is too slow to catch a ghost. He’s the "Cop." Then you have the "Devil," played by Kim Sung-kyu, a nihilistic murderer who kills for the sake of killing.
Here is where it gets interesting.
The Cop needs the Gangster’s resources and lack of red tape. The Gangster needs the Cop’s forensic data to find the guy who dared to make him look weak. They make a deal: whoever catches him first gets to deal with him their way. If the cop gets him, he goes to prison. If the mobster gets him, he dies.
It’s a race.
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Don Lee Is a Literal Force of Nature
Honestly, Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) is the heart of this movie. You might recognize him from Train to Busan or Marvel’s Eternals, but he is at his absolute peak when he’s playing a Korean "tough guy." There is a scene early on where he is using a punching bag, and you find out there’s a living human being stuffed inside it. He doesn't even look angry while he's doing it. He just looks bored. Like it's a chore.
That’s the nuance of The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil.
The movie doesn't try to make Jang Dong-su a "good guy." He is a monster. He exploits people. He’s violent. But because the serial killer is so much more repulsive—targeting the vulnerable without any code of conduct—you find yourself rooting for the mob boss to just tear him apart. It’s a classic case of the enemy of my enemy being my friend, or at least my temporary business partner.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Bloodshed
While the movie takes massive creative liberties for the sake of action, it draws from the dark history of South Korean serial killers. Think of the real-world terror caused by figures like Yoo Young-chul or Jeong Nam-gyu in the early 2000s. South Korean society was deeply shaken by these men who killed without clear motives, often targeting people at random in rainstorms or quiet neighborhoods.
The "Devil" in the film, Kang Kyung-ho, mirrors that terrifying lack of motive. He isn't out for money. He isn't seeking revenge. He just wants to watch the light go out of someone's eyes. This makes him the perfect foil for the Gangster and the Cop, who both operate on systems of logic—one on the logic of power, the other on the logic of law.
When logic meets chaos, things get messy.
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Why This Movie Ranks Above Its Peers
You could compare this to I Saw the Devil or The Chaser, but it’s actually a bit more "fun" than those. I use that word loosely. It’s dark, sure, but the chemistry between the cop and the mobster provides these weird moments of dark comedy. They bicker like an old married couple while literally planning a kidnapping.
- The Cinematography: It’s slick. The neon-drenched streets of Cheonan feel alive and dangerous.
- The Stakes: It’s not just about catching a killer; it’s about a man’s reputation in the underworld.
- The Ending: No spoilers, but it doesn't take the easy way out. It’s satisfying in a way that makes you want to stand up and cheer, even though you know you're cheering for a criminal.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Remake
There has been a lot of chatter about a Hollywood remake. Sylvester Stallone’s production company, Balboa Productions, picked up the rights almost immediately after the film’s Cannes debut. The coolest part? Don Lee is set to reprise his role.
Usually, remakes are a bad sign. But having the original lead actor come back to play the same character in a different language is a bold move. It shows that the industry recognizes that you can't just "replace" the presence Don Lee brings to the screen. He is the movie. Without that specific physicality, the whole "Gangster" pillar of the story crumbles.
The "Devil" and the Problem of Evil
Kim Sung-kyu’s performance as the killer is unsettlingly quiet. In many slasher or thriller films, the villain talks too much. They explain their "why." In The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, the killer is almost a void. He’s thin, pale, and looks like he hasn't slept in three years.
He represents a specific kind of fear: the fear that there is no "reason" for bad things happening. You can't negotiate with him. You can't pay him off. You can only stop him.
The film asks a tough question: if the legal system is too bogged down in bureaucracy to stop a predator, is it morally acceptable to let a "lesser" evil take him out? It’s a philosophical debate wrapped in a high-speed chase.
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How to Watch It Today
If you're looking for it, you can usually find it streaming on platforms like Rakuten Viki, Amazon Prime, or Tubi, depending on your region. It’s one of those films that has gained a massive cult following through word-of-mouth rather than a massive US marketing budget.
Don't watch the dubbed version. Seriously. The nuances in the performances—the way the cop speaks disrespectfully to the mobster and the specific slang used—get completely lost in translation. Subtitles are your friend here.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Filmmakers
If you’re a fan of the genre or a student of film, there are three things to take away from this movie's success:
- Character Contrast is Everything: The movie works because the Cop and the Gangster are polar opposites who are forced to share a goal. If they liked each other, the tension would vanish.
- Physicality Matters: Don Lee doesn't need a lot of dialogue. His presence tells you everything you need to know about his power.
- The "Rule of Three": By having three distinct forces (Law, Crime, and Chaos) fighting for the same outcome, the script creates constant friction.
To get the most out of your viewing, pay attention to the scene where the three finally converge in the rain. It’s a masterclass in blocking and tension. Watch how the camera moves between the three men, emphasizing who has the upper hand at any given second.
The next step is simple. Stop scrolling through Netflix’s "Trending" list and go find this movie. If you appreciate gritty, uncompromising storytelling that actually respects your intelligence, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil will likely become one of your favorite international thrillers. Once you've finished it, look into the rest of Don Lee's filmography, specifically The Outlaws series, to see how he refined this specific brand of "tough guy" cinema that has made him a global icon.