“An endless vengeance begins.”
The Villainess is a stylish South Korean action thriller directed by Jung Byung-gil. With a brutal mix of emotion and adrenaline, the film tells the story of a woman forged in violence, betrayed by love, and driven by revenge. Kim Ok-bin leads with a fierce performance that defines the film’s raw power.
A Life Shaped by Violence
Sook-hee (Kim Ok-bin) has known violence her entire life. Raised in Yanbian, China, she was trained to be a deadly assassin from childhood. After a violent act of revenge, she’s captured—then offered a second chance by South Korea’s intelligence agency.
They give her a new identity and a promise: serve for ten years, then walk free.
A New Life, A Haunted Past
Trying to live as a theater actress, Sook-hee begins a quiet life under watchful eyes. But her past won’t let her go. Two men—Joong-sang (Shin Ha-kyun) and Hyun-soo (Sung Jun)—enter her life. Both seem familiar. Both are hiding something.
As her memories return and the truth unravels, she realizes everything was a lie. Her entire life has been controlled. And her mission is far from over.
Action That Redefines the Genre
The film is known for its bold, innovative action. From first-person fight scenes to long-take choreography, The Villainess pushes boundaries. But beneath the spectacle lies a tragic story of a woman used, betrayed, and determined to reclaim her own fate.
Why It Leaves a Mark
- Kim Ok-bin’s Performance: Raw, physical, and emotionally gripping.
- Stylized Combat: Brutal, beautiful, and often filmed in ways rarely seen in action cinema.
- Dark and Complex Plot: Twists layered with emotion, espionage, and personal trauma.
Release and Reception
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2017, earning strong international attention. It opened in South Korea on June 8 and later released in the U.S. on August 25, 2017. On IMDb, it holds a 6.6/10 rating—praised for its visuals and action, though some found the narrative hard to follow.
