Genre: Action / Horror / Fantasy
Director & Writer: Kim Joo-hwan
Starring: Park Seo‑joon (Yong-hu), Ahn Sung‑ki (Father Ahn), Woo Do‑hwan (Ji‑sin)
Runtime: 129 minutes
Yong-hu is a world-class MMA fighter and vocal atheist, scarred by childhood trauma when he lost his cop father after praying failed to save him. Years later, he’s haunted by stigmata wounds that reveal supernatural power—leading him to unite with Father Ahn, a veteran exorcist, to fight a surge of demonic possession linked to the sinister "Dark Bishop."
1. Bold Genre Mash-Up
The film fuses MMA-style visceral combat with classic exorcism horror. The “martial arts meets demons” premise is refreshingly original , drawing comparisons to high-concept mixes of John Wick and The Exorcist
2. Solid Performances & Character Chemistry
Park Seo-joon anchors the film with emotional depth as a conflicted hero, while Ahn Sung-ki excels as the seasoned, caring mentor. Their dynamic is the emotional core that elevates the supernatural action
3. Visually Striking & Well-Choreographed Action
The exorcism set-pieces are intense and dynamic—especially a standout bar fight and climax where Yong-hu’s stigmata ignites in flame during combat. The effects are good, even if CGI occasionally falters
1. Overlong and Uneven Pacing
At 129 minutes, it sometimes drags with excessive dialogue and filler, delaying the payoff of its bold premise
2. Underdeveloped Story and Villain
The Dark Bishop—though visually menacing—lacks clear motivation, and narrative elements often feel familiar or half-explored
3. Emotional Connection Sometimes Thin
While the mentor–mentee bond is sincere, the film doesn’t always build enough tension or emotional depth before diving back into exposition .
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics praise the “stunning visual effects and well-choreographed” fight scenes, saying the film “spins genre gold from clichés” Reddit notes mixed reactions:
“It’s not bad… but it’s overlong and not nearly as action‑packed as it should be.”
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The GATE sums it up: “It’s always watchable thanks to the strength of its wildly original premise… but it’s a great idea in search of a much better movie.”
The Divine Fury is a bold and intriguing fusion of martial arts and exorcism, anchored by strong lead performances and memorable action sequences. Though it sometimes falters in pacing and narrative depth, its originality and energy make it worth a watch—especially for fans of stylized genre mixes.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3.5/5)
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Viewers intrigued by supernatural MMA action
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Lovers of Korean genre cinema and exorcism thrillers
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Fans of character-driven action with emotional stakes
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A sequel titled The Green Exorcist was hinted at in the credits, though its status remains unclear
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Appealing Blu-ray visuals and audio available on home release .
Let me know if you’d like a Vietnamese translation or a shorter social media version!
