I'm just finally getting to see this film now and it originally was released in 2015. I had constantly seen the film's poster pop up around the internet and the concept is somewhat quite new to Korean audiences. Not saying there hasn't been films about exorcisms before but this was a whole new level of detail. The Priests was directed by Jang Jae hyun as his first full length feature film. He did mostly short films before now but I guess he can look forward to doing more full length films in the future. The was a hit entering at number two in the Korean box-office with more than 5.4 million tickets sold in it's opening week. Actors Kim Yoon Seok and Gang Dong Won are casted as the two Priests who must work together to solve a life threatening demonic possession case.
A very unlikely young Priest is chosen to aid another Priest in the case of a girl who could have been possessed or molested......
Both Kim and Gang are great actors that ride off of each other's energy even before they meet. Gang's character is that underdog Priest who does everything other than the duties he is suppose to be doing. He seems to be a Priest just because there was nothing else better to do. Of course, most characters who doing try too hard have their reasons for doing so. I never believe people are just lazy to be lazy. Gang's character is a more advanced Priest who is dealing with a Possession case that hits very close to home for him. His character needs another set of hands to help him out because things have been ugly with this case. I love the ability of these two to switch between a hint of seriousness and then indulge in slapstick humor always makes me proud. Kim can be funny without breaking a sweat. The guy doesn't even smile most of the time he makes people laugh but can be stone faced while delivering a joke's punchline. Gang on the other hand, embodies goofy from head to toe. You can see it on his face and in his body language. It also doesn't help that his character is an outlaw anyway. During the dark serious parts, they get into positions for the ride. A lesson of trust and the willingness to move forward by not making the same mistake constantly. Their performances made me think of a guy and his kid brother that had to step up to the plate. We also need to give a hand to everyone who learned Latin, Italian, and Greek for the film. Park So Dam spoke about six languages in her scene alone. She deserved the award she received for this film.
This is another great film to look at if you want to experience some sights of Seoul, South Korea. The camera man does a great job of shooting the back streets and the main businesses along certain districts. I also felt like a was looking into a world that wasn't mine to see every time demons or the Priests would show up. This had a lot to do with the location and artistry of the shots. The style ranges from a lot of far out shots that show all of Seoul city(mostly during the night) or overhead view shots that give a new perspective on the action. In these specific shots, you see the actors from over head so much to the point that the alleyways like like a dollhouse and you as the viewer are looking inside from above. I can't forget the famous scenes of both of them standing in a narrow alley that appears to be like the line between the world that everyone else knows and the world that only a Priest can enter. The smoggy smoke effects are a nice addition to the dark atmosphere as well. Everything takes place in such a dark atmosphere that you feel relief when a scene filmed during the day shows up on screen.
I'm not sure why I thought that this film would deal with multiple cases of demonic possession instead of one big case. I started to realize as I watched that the film was setting everything up for that big final conclusion and was a little disappointed. A good chunk of the plot is spent one character development but its not wasted time. The plot makes in enjoyable and things like the opening sequence reminds you that something is amiss so you don't forget the real reason your watching all this to begin with. Once you get to the central conflict, your eyes are glued to the screen. Many of you might know of other films such as the Exorcism so the stuff you see in The Priest won't shock you too much. What I will say though is that the acting is still disturbing no matter how many times you see it. My biggest issue here was that they film felt to short like something was missing when the credits started rolling. It wasn't so much that they film didn't end well because it did but more cases of the two character's working together could have been added before the big finale. Just one big case of a girl being possessed make me think, "THATS IT?" when it was all over and done with. At least the plot did decent prolonging the conflict for as long as it could.
Honestly, I watched The Priests because Gang Dong Won was staring in it. The plot looked good too but I'm not big on exorcism films unless I'm going to see its as a night out with friends of family. I walked away feeling alright about what I saw but a film thats based on a short film can only be expanded so much before you have to make huge changes. The Priest was good for what it was but not the best in terms of an all around solid storyline.
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