Ryoo Seung-Wan’s ‘I, The Executioner’: The Must-See Film at Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals

Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s new action crime film “I, the Executioner,” starring Hwang Jung-min and Jung Hae-in, has attracted global interest after being invited to the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Toronto International Film Festival this month.

Ryoo, who received his first Cannes invitation in 19 years since “Crying Fist,” expressed his gratitude, saying, “It took 50 years to get here (Lumière Theatre).” It’s a true honor and a momentous event,” he says, reflecting on his lifetime passion for filmmaking. Furthermore, Cannes festival director Thierry Frémaux’s strong praise that the picture is “even more impressive on the big screen” heightens enthusiasm among prospective attendees.

Meanwhile, “I, the Executioner” has been invited to the Special Presentations section of the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 5–15. Ryoo had already been invited to the Gala Presentation section in 2023 with “Smugglers” and the Vanguard section in 2015 with “Veteran.” Receiving rave reviews from some of the world’s most prominent film festivals, “I, the Executioner” continues to demonstrate its worldwide appeal and artistic worth, showcasing the capacity of cinematic enjoyment to transcend borders.

In “I, the Executioner,” Detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) and his Major Crimes Investigation Division work hard to seek down criminals day and night, often at the risk of their personal lives. When the murder of a professor shows links to previous crimes, suspicions of a serial killer develop, throwing the country into chaos. As Major Crimes looks into the case, the killer taunts them by posting a teaser online, indicating the next victim and exacerbating the mayhem. To combat the rising threat, the squad recruits idealistic rookie cop Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in), resulting in unforeseen twists as they solve the case.

Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary, will distribute “I, the Executioner,” a CJ ENM film, in the Philippines beginning September 25. #ITheExecutioner

“I, the Executioner” was officially selected for the Midnight Screening portion of the 77th Cannes Film Festival and premiered to significant acclaim from international media. Screen Daily called it “the most flawless, astonishing action since ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ – a sequel that surpasses the original,” while the South China Morning Post described it as “more intense action, more solid storytelling, and a rollercoaster experience.” Reuters described Ryoo Seung-wan as a director who promised “fresh action and relatable themes,” while The Hollywood Reporter praised his direction for combining “entertaining action with sharp psychological and social exploration.” According to Cinemateaser, it is “a sequel that does not disappoint, arriving nearly 10 years after the commercially successful ‘Veteran.’”