‘Twisted City’ vs. ‘The Sculptor City’: Familiar Yet Different Charms Sparking Revenge Tales

The film ‘Twisted City’ and the Disney+ series ‘The Sculptor City’ are captivating audiences with their familiar yet distinct appeals, set within the same universe. Both narratives commence with the shocking premise of the protagonist being framed as a murderer overnight, but their subsequent developments engage viewers in unique ways.

Released in 2017, ‘Twisted City’ follows Kwon-yu (Ji Chang-wook), an unemployed gamer, who is falsely accused of murder and uncovers the truth with the help of his gaming guild members. The 126-minute runtime delivered a thrilling experience with its fast-paced plot.

Building upon this foundation, Disney+’s ‘The Sculptor City’ reimagines the story as a 12-episode series, offering fresh appeal. It centers on Tae-jung (Ji Chang-wook), an ordinary young man manipulated into becoming a murderer. Upon discovering that Yo-han (Doh Kyung-soo) orchestrated everything, he embarks on a path of revenge. The series meticulously portrays Tae-jung’s arduous journey through imprisonment for the first six episodes, detailing his patient preparation for vengeance.

‘The Sculptor City’ expands its scope with new episodes. A survival game orchestrated by Yo-han involving inmates, along with a lawless car chase, becomes the catalyst for Tae-jung’s escape, heightening the suspense. Furthermore, unlike the original where gaming guild members served as key allies, ‘The Sculptor City’ features Tae-jung’s ordinary friends and prison comrades as his steadfast supporters.

The main villains in each work also present striking contrasts. Min-cheon-sang (Oh Jung-se) in ‘Twisted City’ operates like a shadow, covertly manipulating events from behind the scenes. In stark contrast, Yo-han (Doh Kyung-soo) in ‘The Sculptor City’ is a narcissist who openly expresses himself and embodies unwavering self-belief. These contrasting villain archetypes enhance the unique appeal of each production.

Currently, ‘The Sculptor City’ has released up to episode 8, signaling the beginning of Tae-jung’s full-fledged revenge plot. Attention is focused on whether ‘The Sculptor City’ will follow in the success of ‘Twisted City’ and capture the hearts of viewers.

Following the release of Disney+'s ‘The Sculptor City’, online communities are buzzing with comments like, “Actor Ji Chang-wook’s acting is insane! He’s so pitiful yet powerful, I love it.” and “Doh Kyung-soo’s villainous acting is chilling. His presence alone is extraordinary.” Many also expressed anticipation for the future episodes, stating, “I really enjoyed the original movie ‘Twisted City’, and ‘The Sculptor City’ has a different charm. I can’t wait for the next episode!”