Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Honed from childhood into a merciless killing machine by a criminal organization, assassin Sook-hee is recruited with the promise of freedom after ten years of service. However, secrets from her past destroy everything she’s worked for and now she embarks on a roaring rampage of revenge.
The Villainess is best known for its extraordinary cinematography and action choreography — the opening first-person corridor sequence is a genuine standout in modern action cinema, visceral and technically staggering. The acting is competent with Kim Ok-bin delivering a committed physical and emotional performance. The plot, however, is convoluted and emotionally thin, juggling timelines and revelations in ways that undermine investment rather than deepen it. While the action sequences feel distinctive, the underlying revenge narrative and romantic subplots are fairly familiar Korean thriller territory, keeping Novelty at a respectable but not exceptional level. The ending provides closure but lacks the punch the film's setup promises.