The Old Woman with the Knife
Assassination may seem like a young man’s game, but Hornclaw (Hyeyoung Lee) is a legendary veteran in her 60s, grappling with the toll of age and the threat of a young, brazen newcomer in her agency. In his adaptation of Gu Byeong-mo’s novel, director Min Kyu-dong envisions her as both hunter and hunted, navigating a world where morality is as murky as the rain-soaked streets she prowls. The Old Woman with the Knife (Pa-gwa) unfolds as a gripping tale of survival, shifting power and personal reckoning.
Despite her deadly reputation, Hornclaw often comes across as a weary vigilante instead of the razor-sharp contract killer she is. Her introduction – taking down a middle-aged man who harasses a pregnant woman on a train – sets the stage for her unique brand of justice. But as the story progresses, it’s clear her precision has begun to fade. A tremor in her hand, paired with her physician’s warnings, hints at a deeper vulnerability that grows throughout the film. In a pivotal scene, the protagonist helps an elderly woman pick up fallen cardboard boxes, inadvertently revealing her identity on surveillance cameras – a choice that highlights her heart of gold but raises doubts about her tenure as a seasoned assassin.
Visually, The Old Woman with the Knife excels across the board. The cinematography embraces a noir aesthetic, featuring claustrophobic hallways, looming shadows, and neon-lit cityscapes reminiscent of Ghost in the Shell’s cyberpunk imagery. The camera often stalks the characters, following them from behind for a heightened sense of surveillance and unease. However, the film falters with its overused metaphors, particularly the recurring comparison of society’s worst to bugs to be squashed and Hornclaw to rotting fruit that is still fresh on the inside. These motifs feel heavy-handed and detract from the otherwise nuanced narrative.
While Hornclaw’s legendary status sometimes feels unearned, her story, from a young woman til the end of the film, remains compelling – a quiet reckoning in a world that no longer has a place for her.
Christina Yang
The Old Woman with the Knife does not have a release date yet.
Watch the trailer for The Old Woman with the Knife here:
Read more reviews from our Berlin Film Festival coverage here.
For further information about the event visit the Berlin Film Festival website here.
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