The Chaser

As the Three 6 Mafia so memorably told us, it’s hard out here for a pimp. Especially for Jung-ho (Kim), a former cop in dire financial straits and fearing that his girls are defecting to his competition. In fact, they are the victims of serial killer who, if his methods are anything to go by, has clearly been watching way too many torture porn movies. Or at least, director Hong-jin Na has, not to mention copious (and very bad) B-movies, television shows and the excellent South Korean thriller, Memories of Murder. If that film was Peter Kay does Seven, this is Insomnia by way of Hustle & Flow. If that makes it sound appealing, it shouldn’t. The director’s viewing has clearly clouded his judgement: the plot is driven almost entirely by convenient coincidences, the central character’s morality is never truly called to account, and the treatment of women is frankly disgusting. Watch this and you’ll need a few chasers. [Lisa Bourke]