A ferocious depraved serial rapist (excellently played with frightening intensity by Kar-Sing Lee) embarks on a savage carnal spree in a major city. A team of cops lead by the determined Inspector Chan (a fine performance by Kwok-Pong Chan) try to catch the sicko, but he proves to be quite wily and evasive. Proficiently directed by Chuen-Yee Cha, with a tight script, slick, gleaming, shadowy cinematography (the occasional use of slow motion is especially effective), a constant snappy pace, credible acting from a capable cast (Lee makes your flesh crawl with his creepily convincing portrayal of the pathetic misogynistic wacko), a stark, gritty, no-nonsense tone (the rapist assaults and murders a 50 year old woman!), a rattling, urgent, shuddery score, and no silly, obtrusive humor to detract from the overall harshness of the grim plot, this taut and edgy crime thriller packs a strong and lingering punch right to the gut. While the rape scenes are quite graphic and brutal, they thankfully never get too sleazy or revolting. A pleasingly nasty flick.
Review of The Rapist
