"The Korean Horror Film Too Brutal and Shocking to be Released in its Own Country."
Those words are emblazoned across the DVD cover. I did not think much of it. Aside from a quick Google search there is very little information about this movie online. I could not find any news regarding it being banned or in some other way unreleasable. For that matter, I could not find any information about it at IMDb. I guess this could be considered a good thing. I went into my experience completely fresh. I had no idea what to expect when I pressed play.
The Butcher is a mere 75 minutes long, but it packs a wallop. As I was spewed out the other side of my viewing, I was left battered, abused, and very, very confused. This is not a movie you watch for entertainment value. If you are entertained by this, you may have bigger issues. Still, there is nothing wrong with being curious, and curiosity is the biggest reason to subject yourself to this.
It is not much of a movie. There is no real plot to speak of nor is there much in the way of character development. While the elements traditionally associated with film are not present, this is an experience you will not soon forget. Of course, this assumes you make it all the way through. Yes, the movie is short, but it is so brutal that I suspect a good number of people will turn it off before reaching the climax.
Taking the aesthetic of films like [REC], The Blair Witch Project, and Cloverfield, The Butcher gives you a first person view of the action. The style may be getting a little cliche, but it can still be used effectively and I dare say The Butcher does just that. It is unlike anything I have seen before or will likely see again. Some will call it daring, others brave, while others will label it trash. It is destined to show up on cult film lists for years to come, just as it is likely to be used as an example of the degradation of society, the sicknesses that lurk within the human mind, and a poor excuse of a movie whose only purpose is to torture its audience.
Well, let's give you a quick idea of what you will find when you watch The Butcher. As you already know, the film is told first person style. Where it differs from those already seen is that the cameras are mounted on the heads of the victims, with a second camera being manually operated by the director (not the film's actual director, but we will get to that). This style lends a certain intimacy to the proceedings. You are right there in the middle of the action, there is no relief, and there is no escape.
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