The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil
After barely surviving a brutal attack by a sadistic serial killer, crime boss Jang Dong-su is left humiliated. Determined to catch the killer known as K, he forms an uneasy alliance with Jung Tae-seok, a relentless and incorruptible detective who often disrupts his illegal business. However, while Jang Dong-su wants K dead, Jung Tae-suk is determined to bring him to justice. With a deal in place—whoever finds K first will decide his fate—the hunt begins, blurring the lines between crime and law.
Despite its small-scale budget of $6.5M, The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil became a commercial success, earning $25.8M worldwide—a 297% return. The film's bold vision connected with viewers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019) demonstrates meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Lee Won-tae's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 50 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes A serial killer stalks and murders victims in their cars at night, establishing the predator lurking in the city's darkness.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The serial killer attacks Jang Dong-su in his car. Despite being stabbed multiple times, the gangster survives through sheer ferocity, becoming the killer's first victim to escape alive.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Jang Dong-su makes the active choice to partner with Detective Jung, forming an unlikely alliance. The gangster and cop agree to work together to catch the serial killer, each bringing their own resources., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The team identifies the killer: K (Kang Kyung-ho), a seemingly ordinary man. This false victory gives them hope, but they don't realize how difficult capturing him will prove, and the killer now knows he's being hunted., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, K strikes again, murdering another victim and taunting his pursuers. Jung is pulled off the case by his superiors. The partnership crumbles as institutional forces tear them apart, and the killer remains free., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 89 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. New evidence emerges about K's location. Jung and Jang reunite with renewed determination, synthesizing their methods: Jung's investigative precision combined with Jang's ruthless efficiency. They're ready for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Won-tae utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
A serial killer stalks and murders victims in their cars at night, establishing the predator lurking in the city's darkness.
Theme
Detective Jung Tae-suk's partner warns him that going outside the rules won't get results, foreshadowing the theme: sometimes enemies must become allies to achieve justice.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of two parallel worlds: Detective Jung's frustrated investigation of serial murders with no leads, and crime boss Jang Dong-su's ruthless control of his criminal empire. Both men operate by their own codes.
Disruption
The serial killer attacks Jang Dong-su in his car. Despite being stabbed multiple times, the gangster survives through sheer ferocity, becoming the killer's first victim to escape alive.
Resistance
Jang recovers in the hospital while Detective Jung investigates the attack. Both men realize they're hunting the same killer. Jang debates whether to trust the police or handle it himself using his criminal network.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jang Dong-su makes the active choice to partner with Detective Jung, forming an unlikely alliance. The gangster and cop agree to work together to catch the serial killer, each bringing their own resources.
Mirror World
The partnership deepens as Jung and Jang begin sharing information and tactics. Their relationship mirrors the theme: two men from opposite sides of the law finding common ground through shared purpose.
Premise
The gangster-cop team investigates together, combining Jung's detective skills with Jang's street intelligence and manpower. They chase leads, interrogate suspects, and get closer to identifying the killer while navigating their uneasy alliance.
Midpoint
The team identifies the killer: K (Kang Kyung-ho), a seemingly ordinary man. This false victory gives them hope, but they don't realize how difficult capturing him will prove, and the killer now knows he's being hunted.
Opposition
K becomes more dangerous and elusive, staying one step ahead. Jung faces pressure from his superiors to drop the gangster alliance. Jang's criminal rivals see his cooperation with police as weakness. The walls close in from all sides.
Collapse
K strikes again, murdering another victim and taunting his pursuers. Jung is pulled off the case by his superiors. The partnership crumbles as institutional forces tear them apart, and the killer remains free.
Crisis
Jung faces career consequences while Jang contemplates abandoning the alliance and using pure violence to find K. Both men are at their lowest, questioning whether their partnership was worth the cost.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New evidence emerges about K's location. Jung and Jang reunite with renewed determination, synthesizing their methods: Jung's investigative precision combined with Jang's ruthless efficiency. They're ready for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The gangster and cop execute their plan to trap K. An intense chase and confrontation ensues, with both men putting everything on the line. They corner the killer in a brutal final showdown that tests their alliance and resolve.
Transformation
K is captured. Jung and Jang, forever changed by their partnership, share a moment of mutual respect. The cop and gangster return to their separate worlds, but both transformed by their unlikely alliance and shared victory.