The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

Year: 2019

Runtime: 110 min

Language: Korean

Director: Won-Tae Lee

Echo Score: 75

Budget: $6.5M

ActionDramaCrime

A powerful crime boss, seeking vengeance after a brutal attack, finds himself reluctantly partnering with the very detective investigating him. As they navigate a dangerous underworld, their uneasy alliance becomes a fight for survival against a cunning serial killer and the pervasive corruption that surrounds them. The line between good and evil blurs in this intense, action-packed thriller.

The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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The story opens in a gritty metropolis where shadows stretch across neon‑lit streets and the line between order and chaos is perpetually blurred. A powerful crime boss, scarred by a recent, brutal betrayal, is driven by a relentless need for retribution. His world is a tightly wound web of loyalty, intimidation, and the ever‑present threat of unseen enemies, all set against a backdrop of pervasive corruption that seeps into every corner of the city’s institutions.

Enter Jung Tae‑Suk, an upright police officer whose dedication to justice is matched only by his frustration with a system that often turns a blind eye to the darkness lurking beneath. His methodical mind and unwavering sense of duty make him a natural investigator, yet he is constantly reminded that the law he upholds is as fragile as the trust he places in his superiors.

When fate forces Jang Dong‑Soo—the formidable leader of an organized crime syndicate—to cross paths with the detective, a reluctant partnership emerges. Both men recognize that their individual pursuits are intertwined, and each sees a strategic advantage in collaborating with the other. This uneasy alliance becomes a tense dance of mutual suspicion and hidden agendas, where every conversation is layered with unspoken threats and tentative respect.

The film’s tone is unapologetically intense, blending visceral action with a brooding, noir‑ish atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge. As the two protagonists navigate the perilous underworld together, the story explores how loyalty, vengeance, and the thirst for power can blur the boundaries between hero and villain, leaving viewers questioning who truly holds the moral high ground.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 01:50

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with criminal-cop alliances like The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

When bitter enemies must join forces to survive a greater threat.If you liked the volatile partnership in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil, explore these movies where detectives and criminals form reluctant teams. These films feature high-stakes action, moral ambiguity, and tense dynamics as sworn enemies navigate a shared goal, perfect for fans of gritty crime thrillers.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows two opposing forces—often a meticulous detective and a powerful gangster—whose professional conflict is interrupted by a third, more dangerous party. Their alliance is fraught with suspicion and strategic maneuvering, as they must temporarily set aside their animosity to confront a mutual threat, leading to a complex dance of cooperation and betrayal.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the core dynamic of an enforced alliance between archetypal enemies. They share a gritty tone, high intensity, and a focus on how professional boundaries collapse under extreme pressure, creating a uniquely tense and morally complex viewing experience.

Gritty urban manhunt movies like The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

High-stakes chases through a corrupt underworld where no one is clean.Fans of The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil will enjoy these intense manhunt stories set in corrupt city environments. These movies feature fast-paced investigations, brutal violence, and a pervasive sense of moral decay, perfect for viewers seeking dark, action-packed thrillers about survival in a broken system.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is a relentless pursuit, often for a serial killer or elusive target, set against a backdrop of institutional corruption. The journey exposes the rotten foundations of the city's power structures, and the protagonists—whether cops, criminals, or both—must get their hands dirty, challenging their own morals in a world that offers no clear heroes.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through their shared atmosphere of a corrupt, gritty urban setting and the high-intensity experience of a desperate manhunt. The combination of fast pacing, dark tone, and heavy emotional weight creates a cohesive vibe of relentless pressure and ethical compromise.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

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