After his fiancée becomes the latest victim of a brutal serial killer, secret agent Kim Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) hunts down the man responsible. Instead of granting a quick death, Soo-hyun subjects the despicable Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) to a
series of cat-and-mouse
games, forcing him to feel the same
terror his victims felt.
Although 'I Saw the Devil' ponders whether Soo-hyun is as bad as Kyung-chul by the film's end, he is more than justified in his brutal acts, since Kyung-chul is an evil man who deserves to suffer. The only thing Soo-hyun does wrong is not kill Kyung-chul immediately, as his prolonged
games result in the deaths of several other innocent people at Kyung-chul's hands in one of South Korea's most disturbing films.
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Image: I Saw the Devil[/caption]
Revenge (2017)
When Jen (Matilda Lutz) travels with her boyfriend to his remote luxury vacation home, she expects a relaxing poolside weekend. But when her partner's perverted friends arrive, she's assaulted and left for dead to cover up their crimes. Instead, she survives the brutal attack and seeks revenge.
With a title like Revenge, it's clear what the film is about, and the film lives up to its name as Jen causes bloody carnage on her torturers. Jen transforms greatly throughout her ordeal, with Lutz delivering a fantastic performance as her character goes from victim to warrior, wounded survivor to justified killer.
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Image:
Netflix[/caption]
Tormented (2009)
Facing constant bullying at school, outcast Darren decides to take his own life. However, his spirit doesn't remain dead, as his ghost returns to kill those who made his life hell. When model student Justine (Tuppence Middleton) finds herself accepted into the popular group, she's soon added to his hit list.
A British take on the slasher-comedy genre, Tormented can be described as a combination of Sex Education and Scream. While it never reaches the heights of the best slasher films of the genre, it's still a fun and bloody romp and features some recognizable faces, like Tom Hopper from The Umbrella Academy.
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Image: BBC Two[/caption]
Carrie (1976)
Teenager Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) is frequently ridiculed at school due to her outcast status and her extremely religious mother. When an act of kindness seemingly allows Carrie to finally gain her classmates' acceptance, it triggers a cruel prank that will end in tragedy in one of the best horror films of the 1970s.
One of the most famous revenge stories, Carrie only presents its revenge plot in its final moments. As Carrie tears through her school at prom after being bathed in pig's blood, she uses her telekinetic powers to kill those responsible. While innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire, those who participated in the prank certainly got what they deserved.
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Image: letterboxd[/caption]
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
Working as a janitor at a gym,
nerd Melvin is frequently bullied by the clients. When a cruel prank causes Melvin to fall into a tank of toxic waste, he transforms into a muscular mutant. Armed with superhuman strength, Melvin becomes a vigilante while brutally killing criminals and those who tormented him.
A cult classic from Troma Entertainment, 'The Toxic Avenger' perfectly combines 80s camp, bloody practical effects, and superhero tropes to create an unforgettable experience. While it's notably low-budget and a product of its era, the film is a must-watch for anyone who loves gore horror films.
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Image: macabredaily[/caption]
Piggy (2022)
Overweight teenager Sara is routinely mocked by her peers for her appearance, but after an especially painful prank, she witnesses the girls bullying her being kidnapped. While the man responsible lets her go, she refuses to tell authorities what she witnessed, becoming complicit in the possible murder of the girls.
"Piggy" is a unique revenge film, where the wronged party is not responsible for the deaths. Instead, Sara finds someone willing to eliminate her bullies for her and, while she struggles with guilt over her actions, it's hard to argue that the cruel teenagers didn't deserve their fate.
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Image: mubi[/caption]
Sissy (2022)
When wellness influencer Cecilia bumps into her childhood best friend Emma one day, Emma invites her to a bachelorette party. Arriving at a remote house in the forest, Cecilia soon meets Emma's new friends, including Cecilia's former bully, Alex. As old wounds are reopened and new ones are made, the weekend turns into a bloodbath.
One of the best slasher films of 2022, Sissy is an instant classic from Australia. Cecilia is a captivating character thanks to an impressive performance by Aisha Dee, and as the clearly unwell woman finds herself in a bloody spiral, it's hard not to root for her even as the bodies begin to pile up.
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Image: letterboxd[/caption]
The Last House on the Left (1972)
Teenagers Mari and Phyllis take a car trip to the city to attend a concert, but are instead kidnapped by a group of escaped convicts. The criminals torture and kill the girls before seeking refuge in a nearby house, posing as salesmen. Unbeknownst to the killers, they're in the home of one of the girls they just murdered, and after discovering what happened to their daughter, the parents subject their new guests to a night of terror.
Horror legend Wes Craven's directorial debut, The Last House on the Left is one of the most famous "video nasties." Filled with disturbing content, the film is difficult to watch, but ultimately becomes satisfying when Mr. and Mrs. Collingwood execute their bloody revenge.
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Image: filmescults[/caption]
Becky (2020)
Forced to spend a weekend with her father and his new girlfriend, 13-year-old Becky (Lulu Wilson) soon discovers the trip is getting worse when her family is confronted by a gang of neo-Nazis. As the escaped criminals, led by Kevin James in an against-type role he usually plays, torment the family, Becky begins to turn the tables on her pursuers.
Becky is one of the most fun horror films of recent years, thanks to a strong performance from Wilson and an inclination for bloody violence. While Becky starts as a spoiled child, she becomes more sympathetic as she begins to eliminate the criminals one by one, showing a warrior spirit as she fights to free her family.
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Image: clapper[/caption]
Image: Mandy 2018[/caption]
