The murder of Master (Kim Myung-min), a vicious liberationist paramilitary turned freelance kill-squad leader, leaves a power vacuum, sending reverberations through Bangkok’s rival criminal cadres. Meanwhile the loyal assassins — like the teddybear-toting Jojo (Park Yu-rim) — whom Master has trained to kill since childhood, go rogue with their vengeful paranoia. Even smiling, readily-crying protagonist/narrator Roo (Lee Sin-young), who alone of Master’s disciples has tried going straight, will eventually be drawn back into the wild chaos.

Park Hoon-jung’s action noir is about violence — its never-ending, self-begetting nature, and the scars (both physical and psychological) which never heal, never forgive and never allow escape. It is also a tragedy of abusive upbringings and harm that clings like jungle vines. Thrillingly stylised and brutally kinetic, this film requires a strong stomach, but is absolutely astonishing. 

Content Warning: extreme violence, graphic imagery, disturbing themes

Tickets on sale Friday 2 October from 11:00 to BFI Patrons, 12:00 to BFI Members and on general sale from 16:00.