The first 6 or so episodes were enjoyable and had a good pace. After that the show came to a grinding halt and any progress takes forever. This whole show could have been shown in 10 episodes instead of 20.
18 Reviews
It started of well...
alessatziolis10 March 2022
Contrived, Convoluted and Campy
gordcallan3 May 2021
The Devil's Punisher is more enjoyable in its earlier episodes where the plot is less convoluted and the pacing more balanced. The evolution of Anson Chen's character becomes almost laughable because of his sophomoric acting and total lack of understanding of mature nuance. He makes Austin Powers look subtle in comparison!
The second challenge is that I'm not convinced the writers knew where the plot line was heading so to move the story to some sense of conclusion in its later episodes, they resorted to instances of Deus ex machina making the end of the film appear contrived, convoluted and campy. In terms of cinematography, it looks like one of the film editors discovered colour enhancement and went wild with over-saturated scenes and colours that appeared artificial. In one of the episodes, everyone and everything is bright fuchsia.
On the whole, though, the series has its moments but is in need of much better directing, particularly for Anson Chen, as well tighter editing.
The second challenge is that I'm not convinced the writers knew where the plot line was heading so to move the story to some sense of conclusion in its later episodes, they resorted to instances of Deus ex machina making the end of the film appear contrived, convoluted and campy. In terms of cinematography, it looks like one of the film editors discovered colour enhancement and went wild with over-saturated scenes and colours that appeared artificial. In one of the episodes, everyone and everything is bright fuchsia.
On the whole, though, the series has its moments but is in need of much better directing, particularly for Anson Chen, as well tighter editing.
Good start but does lose momentum fast
Glue2Screen22 March 2022
I watched the 9th Precinct (Taiwanese movie about police force that battles ghosts) and I loved it. It had a good pace, funny scenes and great performance from the cast. So when Netflix recommended The Devil Punisher I was ready to jump on board feet first. This was series had a good start but it lose momentum, turning very convoluted
My main gripes are the mediocre VFX, the extremely cheesy scenes and the very convoluted /confusing scenes that could just have been edited out. If it wasn't for these factors, this series could have been good as it has a decent plot to work from. I've watched at 1.5 speed and skipping scenes as it got to be such a drag.
If you want a lighthearted/cheesy series about ghosts that's not scary, then try it? Otherwise go watch 9th Precint.
My main gripes are the mediocre VFX, the extremely cheesy scenes and the very convoluted /confusing scenes that could just have been edited out. If it wasn't for these factors, this series could have been good as it has a decent plot to work from. I've watched at 1.5 speed and skipping scenes as it got to be such a drag.
If you want a lighthearted/cheesy series about ghosts that's not scary, then try it? Otherwise go watch 9th Precint.
Has potential, romantic angle is stale
rickyou-6218117 December 2020
I confess to being a fan of Korean and other Asian supernatural romantic comedy/dramas, so I am favorably biased here. With that said, the basic premise is a good one: the Ghost King, whose job is to catch errant ghosts and demons, is drawn to earth when an evil ghost escapes from the underworld and drags the King's seemingly unrequited love interest with him. So, the setup for action, romance, comedy and friendship, with various introduced humans, is all there. But, the pace of the inevitable love triangle is too slow, and more action would help. I particularly do not like the failure to include enough subtitles-too much dialog passes without knowing what is said. It's pretty good now, but could, in fairness, fully earn that 7 I gave it when it outgrows its growing pains.
Good acting but drawn out story line
redsteppereva17 July 2023
This show had a really great starting premise making the first few episodes the best of the series for me. The acting on everyone's part thoughout the whole show was phenomenal making you want to watch it more. However, this show really could have been closer to the 12 to 16 episode mark (and 16 is pushing it). Each episode was over an hour long but had very little plot progression. The "is he...Isn't he the bad guy" question the WHOLE SHOW was frustrating. The ending parts were interesting plot wise but they still made it feel like it was dragging by making the hero too non chalant about the whole world ending thing and still not seeing him trying to figure out what he needed to do. I will also say that I was a little disappointed with the final battle, as i expected tit to be more explosive and it was way more low key. Again the acting was fantastic but I do not recommend this show outside of that.
So bad it's hillarious
Logiar26 November 2020
I've been watching the episodes of this show every weekend with my friend because we think it's funny. We saw the trailer and decided that we had to watch it for its horrific effects and random nonsense. This show is poorly made in so many ways.
The plot is rarely cohesive. The characters are extremely bland and not funny whatsoever. The effects are some of the worst and best things my eyes have ever seen. The show visually looks horrendous. There are so many out of place scenes too. Half the time I want to fall asleep watching this show. Every single episode is an hour long and I just can't deal with that.
This show doesn't captivate me at all, so the entire hour is dreadful and a complete waste of my time.
This show is not worth your time. Watch the first episode, laugh, move on with your life.
The plot is rarely cohesive. The characters are extremely bland and not funny whatsoever. The effects are some of the worst and best things my eyes have ever seen. The show visually looks horrendous. There are so many out of place scenes too. Half the time I want to fall asleep watching this show. Every single episode is an hour long and I just can't deal with that.
This show doesn't captivate me at all, so the entire hour is dreadful and a complete waste of my time.
This show is not worth your time. Watch the first episode, laugh, move on with your life.
Getting worse and worse
eggyaya21 December 2020
The storyline is getting worse and so predictable. Too slow and so many unnecessary parts that should be edited out. So far episode 1 is the best, this series might be much better if the production team planned 6-8 episodes instead of 20. Can't continue following.
A romantic joyride
cliffborntoassist28 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The chemistry between Hsin Yu & Zhong Zheng-nan is nothing short of perfect. Despite Hsin Yu losing her memories, her heart could never forget the love that she holds for Zhong Zheng nan. With Hsin expressions and perfect camera work they did a marvelous job making the audience feel like there's something there between the two. I never doubted their love for a minute!
I truly enjoyed the character growth of Ouyang Kai. He changes right before our eyes, from a pampered rich boy who takes whatever he wants following his fathers orders trying to close down a bakery to expand his fathers personal business. Which he fails to do. He remains a pampered rich boy, the change? He cares more for his precious friends & the girl he loves En shi then his father business interest. It's evident he ignores his father's orders to demolish the bakery, its a place that hsin yu cares and for. Hsin yu being the best friend to the girl he loves En shi.
The cleverness of the spells used, confusion fluids to pianos that hypnotize people into madness or depression. The combat in this show is well done, Its mostly a romance drama with tons of suspense since the mystery of Hsin Yu memories is ongoing.
I truly enjoyed the character growth of Ouyang Kai. He changes right before our eyes, from a pampered rich boy who takes whatever he wants following his fathers orders trying to close down a bakery to expand his fathers personal business. Which he fails to do. He remains a pampered rich boy, the change? He cares more for his precious friends & the girl he loves En shi then his father business interest. It's evident he ignores his father's orders to demolish the bakery, its a place that hsin yu cares and for. Hsin yu being the best friend to the girl he loves En shi.
The cleverness of the spells used, confusion fluids to pianos that hypnotize people into madness or depression. The combat in this show is well done, Its mostly a romance drama with tons of suspense since the mystery of Hsin Yu memories is ongoing.
Please dont waste your time.
herma_gan22 March 2021
After watching this series, i can confirm Taiwan movie industry really unbelievable horrible. Lousy story line, lousy screenwriting, lousy acting skills, super draggggggggggyyyyy.... talk in very extreme slooooooow motion.... the guy actors overly make esp the main actor....super fake.. one thing good is they really let u know they are ACTING. LOL!
Amazing show!
annamd-901597 January 2021
Omg, even kids shows from China aren't this bad
gareth-7544216 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Diabolical, the sets, acting, visual effects, comedy!!!!????, simply put, everything about this is dreadful, and for goodness sake how can the martial arts depicted in this be so bad, utter nonsense, the story is non existent, how did they manage to make 20 episodes of this garbage.
The worst drama in years
waitnani9 March 2021
I've been waiting for this series to air and since I don't like watching an episode per week, I waited till almost the end. What a waste of time. The acting is so bad, the actors are so ugly and stiff, I don't have words to describe this fiasco. Really, don't waste your time on this nonsense. It doesn't make any sense, the special effects are so-so and the lead female's voice grates on your nerves within minutes.
The Best
sandrakara17 March 2021
Love it
bubblemilk26 December 2020
Chinese mythology with modern day rom-com
iacintus14 December 2020
If you're into East Asian dramas and a fan of Taiwanese actress Ivy Shao, then this is worth watching. The camera work and color scheme are excellent. It's not "The Crown", of course; but Shao's cuteness and quirkinesses are enough to keep me watching.
Unexpectedly Good
allyson-9387330 November 2020
The first time I tried to look at it I turned it off but a week later I looked at the full episode. It, to me, is like a love story. I looked at the first two episodes and then ended up looking at all of the rest the following week. Now I have to wait until next week to look at it. It actually helps me to unwind on the weekends. I really like it.
perfect show
ahmedhany-141635 June 2021
First of all i see some comments saying it is like watching "arab funny" first of all please take your racism away from here and write a reasonable criticism lol , that is just shame and funny criticism honestly , second of all people are just giving it 1 star because because they say unexplained events , what unexplained events exactly ? The events are all explained in the last couple episodes , that is really weird , people are crying because there is some mystery and not revealing everything at begining lol ? Go watch short 4 episodes series if you like everything revealed in just first couple episodes and don't bother watching long asian series like 20 or 40 episodes , second the love story is just perfect it is not like those other shows where the female lead sleeps with 100 man until she find the right man lol it is kinda disgusting , this is just pure love story which will make you cry , and from comedy point of view it really has many funny moments which makes you laugh , and this is called just simple comedy , the only drawback that people can really argue about is that some episodes were elongated , like the show could've been 15 episodes instead of 20 , thats all , but still these episodes were enjoyable , if you want to criticize a seires watch it fully and understand it , and never compare it to another series.
This drama is showing how easily you can be manipulated when you are in love
jgardiner-871-7267296 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
So the Ghost Kings love has been spirited away into the earthly kingdom and has lost her memories of the Ghost World and the Ghost King. He has followed be but she seems to be making a new life for herself. She wonders why she is the only one that can see ghosts while the Ghost King stays nearby to protect her but he's worried that she might form a relationship with a male mortal.
I like the idea of Korean (these are Taiwanese) ghosts compared to European type ghosts. It's interesting and somehow more believable.
Once they actually kiss in Episode 10 they have beautiful kisses. I thought he was going to be one of those actors that never kiss his co-stars or even worse have those very chaste Korean Kisses.
I really enjoy these fantasy, romantic fictions weaved into the past and present. This one is fabulous. It has tremendous intrigue and lave found and lost. It has great heartbreak and misunderstandings. The main actress is trying to protect her eternal love companion and there is the jealous third wheel disruptor. It is just so good. I can relate to what she is going through.
The thing is though the Ghost Master read her thoughts before. Why is he not reading her thought now when she is in such a turmoil. Can't they communicate non verbally.
Why doesn't the sword person just disappear when she is in danger?
This drama is showing how easily you can be manipulated when you are in love.
I'm thinking that the male patriarchal order makes these men think that women that they love should be protected and not allowed to interfere with the mans fight. What can a woman do? They are helpless and hopeless. So annoys me.
The thing is this whole thing stems back to a mistake she made a thousand years ago by marrying a man who was obsessed with her, who had lied to her to try to gain her affection which he never did. She always feared him.
I really enjoyed watching this drama but the ending became obtuse and chaotic. Still it ended in a tricky but pleasant way. Anyway make you own mind up.
I like the idea of Korean (these are Taiwanese) ghosts compared to European type ghosts. It's interesting and somehow more believable.
Once they actually kiss in Episode 10 they have beautiful kisses. I thought he was going to be one of those actors that never kiss his co-stars or even worse have those very chaste Korean Kisses.
I really enjoy these fantasy, romantic fictions weaved into the past and present. This one is fabulous. It has tremendous intrigue and lave found and lost. It has great heartbreak and misunderstandings. The main actress is trying to protect her eternal love companion and there is the jealous third wheel disruptor. It is just so good. I can relate to what she is going through.
The thing is though the Ghost Master read her thoughts before. Why is he not reading her thought now when she is in such a turmoil. Can't they communicate non verbally.
Why doesn't the sword person just disappear when she is in danger?
This drama is showing how easily you can be manipulated when you are in love.
I'm thinking that the male patriarchal order makes these men think that women that they love should be protected and not allowed to interfere with the mans fight. What can a woman do? They are helpless and hopeless. So annoys me.
The thing is this whole thing stems back to a mistake she made a thousand years ago by marrying a man who was obsessed with her, who had lied to her to try to gain her affection which he never did. She always feared him.
I really enjoyed watching this drama but the ending became obtuse and chaotic. Still it ended in a tricky but pleasant way. Anyway make you own mind up.
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