Today, we will look at “Lady Vengeance,” a stylish neo-noir film from iconic director Park Chan-Wook, who also directed “The Handmaiden.” “Lady Vengeance” is the last Movie in his Vengeance trilogy, which includes “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” and “Oldboy.” It is also the third consecutive movie I’ve reviewed that is female-oriented. The movie’s cast includes Lee Young-ae and the veteran thespian Choi Min-sik.

The Plot can be divided into two parts. The longer part of the plot focuses on how a woman reestablishes her personal life and pursues the one responsible for her situation. The second part is more a philosophical commentary on the morality of seeking retribution.

Lee Geum-ja (Lee Young-ae) has been released from prison for good behavior after serving a 13-year sentence for abducting and killing a small boy. She couldn’t care less for the crowd or the musical band celebrating her return. She is a woman on a mission, who feigned being ‘reformed’ for good behavior, now seeking vengeance on the man who was responsible for stealing away a large part of her life.

While serving her sentence, she has forged alliances with other women, many of whom were unfairly incarcerated, some of whom have been released. She procures food, a place to stay, and a pistol from these contacts and secures a job at a sweet shop. At the shop, she befriends and seduces a younger worker whom she will use in her dangerous plot.

Flashbacks and conversations in the plot reveal that she is innocent of the crime she was convicted for. They also reveal that part of her mission is to find her estranged daughter. After finding out that her daughter is living with foster parents in Australia, she makes the overseas trip, establishes an uneasy relationship with the young girl, and upon the girl’s insistence, brings her back to Korea.

Next, Lee pursues Baek (Choi Min-sik), a teacher who exploited her vulnerability, stole her daughter, and destroyed her life. She manages to apprehend him with some assistance from her fellow inmates. However, she realizes that there are numerous families that have been devastated by Baek, a genocidal pervert.

After deciding that it would be selfish to seek only her own retribution, she seeks out the victimized families to join in deciding Baek’s punishment and ultimate fate. I wonder if Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express‘ had an influence on the script.

The cinematography of the movie is slick and incorporates many film noir photography techniques. The movie also has a haunting background score. Lee Young-ae’s performance as Lee Geum-ja is the most significant aspect of the movie. It radiates strong will and emanates style. Her personality is an amalgamation of an empathetic, caring individual to a determined, poised, unstoppable avenger on a mission of retribution. Choi Min-sik also puts in a great performance as the despicable, homicidal Baek.

I must warn potential viewers that this is not a movie for everyone and packs powerful themes and violence. However, it is a landmark movie and should be seen by fans of great cinema, especially those who love neo-noir movies.