Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s new action crime movie “I, the Executioner,” starring Hwang Jung-min and Jung Hae-in, has garnered global attention by receiving consecutive invitations to the Cannes Film Festival in May, and the Toronto International Film Festival this month.
Officially selected for the Midnight Screening section of the 77th Festival de Cannes, “I, the Executioner” made its world premiere to widespread acclaim from international media. Screen Daily praised it as “the most flawless, astonishing action since ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ – a sequel that surpasses the original,” while the South China Morning Post described it as “more intense action, more solid storytelling, and a rollercoaster experience.” Reuters highlighted Ryoo Seung-wan as a director who promises “fresh action and relatable themes,” and The Hollywood Reporter lauded his direction as a combination of “entertaining action with sharp psychological and social exploration.” Cinemateaser noted that it is “a sequel that does not disappoint, arriving nearly 10 years after the commercially successful ‘Veteran.’”
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Ryoo, who received his first invitation to Cannes in 19 years since “Crying Fist,” expressed his deep gratitude, stating, “It took 50 years to get here (Lumière Theatre). It’s truly an honor and a meaningful moment,” reflecting his lifelong dedication to film. Moreover, Cannes festival director Thierry Frémaux’s high praise that the film is “even more impressive on the big screen” heightens anticipation among prospective audiences.
Meanwhile, “I, the Executioner” was also invited to the Special Presentations section of the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from September 5 to September 15. Ryoo was previously invited to the Gala Presentation section in 2023 with “Smugglers” and to the Vanguard section in 2015 with “Veteran.” Receiving love calls from some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, “I, the Executioner” continues to prove its universal appeal and artistic merit, demonstrating the power of cinematic entertainment that transcends borders.
In “I, the Executioner,” Detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) and his Major Crimes Investigation Division continue to tirelessly track down criminals day and night, often at the expense of their personal lives. When the murder of a professor reveals links to past cases, suspicions of a serial killer arise, plunging the country into turmoil. As Major Crimes delves into the investigation, the killer taunts them by publicly releasing a teaser online, indicating the next victim, and intensifying the chaos. To tackle the escalating threat, the team brings in idealistic rookie officer Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in), leading to unexpected twists as they solve the case.
Only in cinemas starting September 25, “I, the Executioner,” from CJ ENM, is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company. #ITheExecutioner
