Divine Fury (2019)
June 26, 2025
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✝️ The Divine Fury (2019)
Faith, Fury, and a Fight Against Darkness
By: AsiaFilmFocus | Retrospective Review
Released in 2019 and directed by Kim Joo-hwan, The Divine Fury (사자) offers a bold fusion of horror, action, and spirituality — a rare genre blend in Korean cinema. Featuring Park Seo-joon, Ahn Sung-ki, and Woo Do-hwan, the film presents an epic battle between good and evil that unfolds not only in the physical world, but also in the soul of its hero.
🔥 Plot Summary
Yong-hoo (Park Seo-joon) is a mixed martial arts champion with a tormented past. After losing his father in a tragic accident during childhood, Yong-hoo rejects religion, harboring deep resentment toward anything divine. But his life takes a supernatural turn when he begins experiencing mysterious stigmata — wounds resembling those of Christ.
Desperate for answers, Yong-hoo crosses paths with Father Ahn (Ahn Sung-ki), a veteran exorcist working to uncover demonic forces infiltrating Seoul. Despite their initial conflict of faith, the two form an unlikely alliance as they face down an ominous, powerful dark force embodied by the enigmatic Black Bishop (Woo Do-hwan), a charismatic figure seducing souls into darkness.
⚔️ Themes and Symbolism
The Divine Fury is not just about exorcisms and action — it delves into loss, redemption, faith, and spiritual awakening. Yong-hoo’s internal battle mirrors the physical fights he endures, representing a man forced to confront his own pain to protect others.
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Faith vs. doubt
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The legacy of trauma
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Light confronting darkness — both literally and metaphorically
🎬 Direction & Visuals
Director Kim Joo-hwan, who previously worked with Park Seo-joon in Midnight Runners, shifts tone completely here. With moody cinematography, eerie exorcism sequences, and sleek fight choreography, the film balances K-horror intensity with the flair of a superhero origin story.
The blend of CGI effects, traditional horror makeup, and religious iconography creates a fresh, stylized visual experience rarely seen in Korean cinema.
👥 Cast Highlights
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Park Seo-joon delivers both physical power and emotional depth in his role as a skeptical fighter turned spiritual warrior.
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Ahn Sung-ki, a legend of Korean cinema, brings gravitas as the wise priest with scars of his own.
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Woo Do-hwan is chilling and captivating as the demonic villain cloaked in charm and menace.
🗡️ Reception & Legacy
Upon release, The Divine Fury received mixed-to-positive reviews. While praised for its originality, some critics noted uneven pacing. However, it gained cult popularity for its genre-blending ambition, solid performances, and striking concept — especially among fans of Constantine, The Exorcist, or Korean thrillers with a twist.
A sequel was teased at the end of the film, hinting at a broader spiritual universe and ongoing battles between light and darkness — though it has yet to be officially confirmed.