✅ Mantis (2025) is an electrifying action thriller that immerses viewers in the chaotic underworld of contract killers, blending razor-sharp blade combat with a tense narrative of betrayal and ambition. Released in stunning high-definition formats, the film is optimized for seamless streaming across all modern devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Packed with relentless suspense, intricate rivalries, and heart-pounding action, Mantis is a must-watch for fans of high-octane assassin dramas and Korean cinema.
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Mantis
Director: Lee Tae-sung
Writers: Lee Tae-sung, Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Jin-seong
Stars: Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, Choi Hyun-wook
Country: South Korea
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Languages: Korean
Overview: Mantis, an ace assassin, returns to the contract killer industry after a hiatus, encountering his trainee friend Jae-yi and a retired legendary killer Dok-go, who now runs the organization.
TMDb: View on TMDb
Mantis (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis-BollyFlix
Movie Details
- Full Name: Mantis
- Language: Korean
- Budget: Estimated $10-15 million
- Revenue: Netflix original; topped global streaming charts with millions of views in first week
- Runtime: 113 minutes
- Release Date: September 26, 2025
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama
- Cast: Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, Jo Woo-jin, Sul Kyung-gu, Choi Hyun-wook, Lee Da-wit
- Directors: Lee Tae-sung
- Screenplay: Lee Tae-sung, Byun Sung-hyun
- Studios & Producers: Netflix, AT Film; produced by Byun Sung-hyun, Cha Won-chun
- Voice Cast: N/A
- Animation & Style: Live-action with meticulously choreographed blade combat and noir-inspired aesthetics
OFFICIAL IMAGES
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Image via Netflix -
Image via Netflix -
Image via Netflix -
Image via Netflix
Plot Summary
Mantis catapults viewers into the fractured underworld of contract killers following the collapse of MK Enterprise, the shadowy organization from Kill Boksoon. Han-ul, codenamed Mantis, is an elite assassin whose return from a brief hiatus plunges him into chaos as the assassin society splinters without its governing codes. He navigates a treacherous web of shifting allegiances, confronting Jae-yi, his former trainee turned rival, whose shared history of unrequited love and brutal training scars fuels a volatile dynamic. Dok-go, Han-ul’s retired mentor, reemerges with ambitions to dominate the power vacuum, forging uneasy alliances amid betrayals. Set in Seoul’s neon-drenched underbelly, the 113-minute narrative weaves ambition, loyalty, and vengeance through intense blade combat and intricate relationships. Flashbacks reveal the grueling training that shaped Han-ul and Jae-yi, adding emotional weight to their fraught encounters. As rogue assassins and rival factions clash, Han-ul’s quest to establish his own agency becomes a deadly gamble, culminating in a blood-soaked showdown where personal grudges and professional codes collide. Mantis expands the Kill Boksoon universe, delivering a gritty exploration of moral ambiguity and relentless action, blending noir aesthetics with heart-pounding stakes in a world where every contract could be a killer’s last.
Cast & Crew
Yim Si-wan delivers a magnetic performance as Han-ul/Mantis, balancing swagger with vulnerability to portray a killer wrestling with his humanity, anchoring the film’s emotional core. Park Gyu-young shines as Jae-yi, her fierce combat skills matched by raw emotional depth, capturing the pain of a fractured bond with Han-ul. Jo Woo-jin’s Dok-go exudes menace and wisdom, his return as a power-hungry mentor adding tension to every scene. Sul Kyung-gu, Choi Hyun-wook, and Lee Da-wit bolster the ensemble, bringing depth to the chaotic underworld. Lee Tae-sung, in his directorial debut, builds on his Kill Boksoon experience, co-writing the screenplay with Byun Sung-hyun to craft a stylish spin-off. Produced by Netflix and AT Film, the high production values immerse viewers in a world of blades and betrayal.
Critical & Audience Response
Mantis has sparked polarized reactions, earning a 65% Tomatometer score from 80 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its “razor-sharp choreography and stylish visuals” but noting a “convoluted plot that strains under its ambitions,” per Variety. Audiences give it a 70% Popcornmeter, appreciating Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young’s chemistry, though IMDb’s 5.3/10 reflects frustration with pacing and unresolved subplots. Social media on X buzzes with fans praising the “insane knife fights” and Kill Boksoon ties, but some lament excessive romantic drama diluting the thriller core. MyDramaList users call it “entertaining but messy,” with strong performances overshadowed by a rushed third act. The film excels for action enthusiasts but struggles to match Kill Boksoon’s clarity, making it a divisive yet thrilling addition to Netflix’s Korean slate.
Direction & Cinematography
Lee Tae-sung’s directorial debut crackles with energy, channeling his Kill Boksoon experience into a sleek thriller that prioritizes blade combat over firearms. His choreography, rooted in Korean martial arts like hapkido, delivers intimate, pulse-pounding sequences that rival John Wick’s precision but feel distinctly Korean. Cinematographer Kim Young-ho paints Seoul in moody neons and stark shadows, with dynamic tracking shots capturing the frenetic pace of knife duels in cramped alleys and lavish hideouts. Close-ups during Han-ul and Jae-yi’s confrontations add intimacy, though rushed pacing disrupts some dramatic beats. Screen Daily lauds the “noir-drenched aesthetic,” but notes uneven transitions. Lee’s vision crafts an immersive underworld where every frame drips with tension and betrayal.
Music & Background Score
Kim Tae-seong’s score blends pulsating electronic beats with traditional Korean motifs, like shamisen and taiko drums, creating a sonic tapestry that mirrors the film’s gritty elegance. Released September 2025 via Netflix Music, tracks like “Blade’s Edge” and “Shadow Contract” drive tension in stealth sequences and explode in percussive chaos during battles. Insect-like hums subtly nod to the Mantis title, adding a distinctive layer. Film Music Reporter praises its “relentless intensity,” though some cues feel generic against the visual flair. The score amplifies emotional stakes, particularly in Han-ul and Jae-yi’s fraught exchanges, but lacks innovation to fully stand out, serving as a solid backdrop to the action.
Visuals & Special Effects
Mantis prioritizes practical effects, delivering visceral, blood-soaked blade fights that feel raw and immediate. Blood sprays and wound impacts are crafted with precision, enhancing the realism of close-quarters combat rooted in Korean martial arts. The noir-inspired visuals—desaturated palettes, rain-soaked Seoul streets, neon-lit hideouts—create a gritty, immersive underworld. Minimal CGI keeps the action grounded, with choreography shining in scenes of knife duels and sword clashes. The Hollywood Reporter calls the action “stunningly executed,” though repetitive effects occasionally dull the impact. The visual style, blending sleek modernity with raw brutality, makes every kill a cinematic spectacle.
Editing & Screenplay
The screenplay by Lee Tae-sung and Byun Sung-hyun weaves a complex tale of betrayal and ambition, expanding Kill Boksoon’s universe through layered flashbacks and character-driven drama. Han-ul’s quest for power and Jae-yi’s conflicted loyalty anchor the story, but an overloaded plot—juggling romance, rivalries, and underworld politics—leads to rushed resolutions. Editor Nam Na-young delivers tight, adrenaline-fueled action sequences, with rapid cuts amplifying fight intensity, but dramatic scenes suffer from uneven pacing, per DiscussingFilm. While philosophical moments, like Dok-go’s musings on loyalty, shine, unresolved subplots and tonal shifts hinder cohesion, crafting a thriller that thrills but falls short of narrative clarity.
Positives / What Works
Mantis delivers a breathtaking showcase of innovative blade combat choreography that redefines the assassin genre with a distinctly Korean martial arts flair, setting a new benchmark for visceral action. Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young ignite the screen with compelling performances, their electric chemistry driving the emotional stakes of their fraught mentor-trainee dynamic, making every confrontation resonate. The film richly expands the Kill Boksoon universe, weaving deeper lore into the assassin underworld with intricate factions and power struggles that captivate fans. Its sleek noir visuals, paired with a gritty Seoul setting, create a tense, stylish world that immerses viewers in a shadowy realm of betrayal. High-energy action sequences, powered by practical effects, deliver heart-pounding thrills that feel raw and immediate. The emotional depth in character relationships, especially Han-ul and Jae-yi’s complex bond, adds a human pulse to the relentless violence. Jo Woo-jin’s menacing Dok-go, alongside a strong supporting cast, infuses the narrative with gravitas, elevating every scene with palpable intensity.
Negatives / What Doesn’t Work
The film’s overly complex plot, crammed with excessive subplots, stumbles into rushed and unsatisfying resolutions that leave viewers craving clarity. A forced romantic drama between Han-ul and Jae-yi feels jarring, diluting the thriller’s intensity and clashing with its high-stakes tone. Uneven pacing in dramatic scenes disrupts the narrative flow, undermining emotional engagement and leaving key moments underdeveloped. Some generic score elements fail to elevate critical scenes, blending into the background and missing opportunities to amplify the film’s impact. Unresolved cliffhangers frustrate audiences, with dangling threads and ambiguous endings diminishing the narrative payoff and leaving a sense of incompletion.
Final Verdict / Conclusion
Mantis slashes onto Netflix as a thrilling yet imperfect spin-off, delivering breathtaking blade combat and a stellar cast but stumbling under an overambitious narrative. Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young anchor the film with electric performances, while Lee Tae-sung’s stylish direction and noir visuals craft an immersive assassin underworld. Expanding Kill Boksoon’s lore, it captivates with visceral action and complex character dynamics but falters with rushed pacing and unresolved threads. Perfect for fans of Korean thrillers and high-stakes action, Mantis offers a chaotic, blood-soaked ride that’s worth streaming for its sheer intensity, though it doesn’t quite match its predecessor’s polish. Dive into this gritty saga, but brace for a narrative as messy as its kills.
Movie Rating
| Rating Category | Score (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Plot & Storyline | ★★★ |
| Acting & Performances | ★★★★ |
| Direction & Cinematography | ★★★★ |
| Music & Background Score | ★★★ |
| Overall Entertainment Value | ★★★½ |
| Average Score | 3.5 / 5 |
OFFICIAL TRAILER
FAQs
Where is Mantis available?
Streaming exclusively on Netflix since September 26, 2025.
What sets Mantis apart in the action genre?
Its emphasis on blade combat and Korean martial arts distinguishes it from gun-heavy thrillers.
