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Now Playing at Theaters May 16
Hornclaw (Lee Hye-yeong) was not the assassin she was now until one night, some (American) army guy broke into the restaurant she worked at and something snapped in her. That first taste of spilled blood turned her worldview around, and she became The Old Woman With The Knife. This tight thriller suggests she is in the business for life. As a lady past her prime, she can get away with nearly anything!
There’s a lot of terrific back and forth showing her development as not only an individual who should be a grandmother, but also as a ruthless killer. Lee has that presence which rivals Michelle Yeoh and I’d love to see these two together on a project. As a character who could challenge Georgiou, I’d want to see that match up! Both are like bloodhounds!
However, when she’s working with a young man who is also in the business, code-named Bullfight (Kim Sung-cheol), afterwards, the question of who is the better assassin made me wonder if she will be taken down. The relationship they develop seems quite easy, but there are more secrets to be told! I won’t spoil the details, but I rather loved the emotions this actor had to go through to convey what the character needed, why he felt betrayed and much more!
When there are features about when mentor and prodigy are at odds, the tale often has wings to see how the feathers get ruffled can sometimes be exciting. It’s about giving filmmakers the chance to toy with what makes these character’s tick, and that’s why I was reminded about the relationship between Batman and Robin throughout its many iterations in either book or cinema. They were ill met by moonlight, if I had to use an idiom.
Also, I’d be shocked if this sexagenarian told her grandkids about her past. I doubt the young ones would be proud. Had she said she’s an MI agent, they would be excited. As for being a trained assassin who never got caught and works for people who are above the law, the shocker might have the kids scared.
I can see why Gu Byeong-mo’s novel has its accolades. It’s setting up its own version of the John Wick formula. While I’m not sure if this film is a setup for a franchise since it’s based on a one-off book, I’d like to see Hornclaw continue as “pest control.” Her sense of vigilantism does not differ from Bruce Wayne’s, but unlike this DC hero, she’s willing to kill!
4 Stars out of 5
The Old Woman With The Knife Movie Trailer
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