“Mantis” is a movie I’m fairly confident will fly under the radar, given it wasn’t included in Netflix’s usual monthly lineup and has likely been overshadowed by bigger releases like “Wayward” and “House of Guinness.” The marketing for this Korean flick has also been practically non-existent, and I only stumbled across it on Netflix’s K-Content YouTube page by chance.
Still, I’m hoping “Mantis” will gain the attention it deserves now that it’s streaming, because it’s the most fun I’ve had with an original movie in ages.
If you didn’t know, “Mantis” is a spinoff of Netflix’s 2023 hit “Kill Boksoon,” expanding on the same assassin-filled universe with a brand-new story and characters. That movie amassed over 19 million viewing hours globally in its first three days and led Netflix’s charts as the most-watched non-English movie during its debut week, so hopefully fans will return for this spinoff.
Not only that, but it features two “Squid Game” stars, Yim Si-wan (Lee Myung-gi) and Park Gyu-young (Kang No-eul, the undercover pink guard), which I’m sure will attract plenty of viewers. With its arrival on the big red streaming service, I’m hoping it at least breaks into the top 10.
After streaming “Mantis,” I can confidently say it’s a wildly entertaining action-thriller with plenty of dark humor, and here’s why it deserves a spot on your watchlist.
What is ‘Mantis’ about?
![Mantis | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB] - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PItlVyrf15U/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Mantis” follows Han-ul (Yim Si-wan), an elite assassin who returns from a vacation to find the hired killer industry in chaos after the unexpected death of its CEO.
The once-disciplined organization has collapsed into disarray, leaving a power vacuum and opportunities for those willing to fight for dominance. Upon re-entering this anarchic world, Mantis confronts Jae-yi (Park Gyu-young), his former training partner and rival, as well as Dok-go (Jo Woo-jin), a retired but legendary killer whose reputation still commands respect.
These three soon find themselves competing for the top spot in a dangerous underworld where every move can be deadly.
Should you stream ‘Mantis’ on Netflix?
“Mantis” doesn’t feel like a serious movie in hindsight, thanks to its lighthearted soundtrack and clunky jokes, but it definitely takes its action seriously. As a fan of hand-to-hand combat, I found the fight sequences impressive (and often pretty gnarly), with characters sporting slick gear as they brutally take down their targets. Some of the moves in the first act almost felt like watching a comic strip come to life, but beyond that, the movie delivers a steady adrenaline rush. Hence why I had a great time.
The action is arguably the best part, and that’s not a bad thing. To be honest, I haven’t seen “Kill Boksoon,” so I wasn’t as well-versed in the universe as others might be, especially with the character references and the assassin organization itself. Still, the story was easy to follow thanks to some heavy exposition, and the pacing never really lets you breathe. In fact, I appreciated that there weren’t any super-long conversations slowing things down.
At the center of the story are Han-ul and Jae-yi, longtime friends and would-be love interests (at least, that’s what the movie tries to establish). Much of “Mantis” leans on the “will-they-won’t-they” trope, with the two circling each other and trading bitter arguments to build romantic tension. There’s also a subtle rivalry over who’s the more skilled assassin. The problem is that it never really works, because outside of arguing (and fighting), there’s little to suggest their bond is actually deepening. By the end, the whole thread is nearly forgotten.
Still, both Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young are strong performers, and they work well together on screen, with enough chemistry to make their fight scenes crackle with intensity. The side characters, on the other hand, feel like they exist purely for exposition, so much so that I almost forgot they were there since the focus is squarely on the two assassins. In fact, it often felt more like Jae-yi’s movie, given how much time is spent unpacking her past and her drive to rise to the top.
“Mantis” also suffers from a pretty weak story, one I never felt fully engaged in. The sudden time jumps, without any indication, were especially jarring (almost like the movie forgot to add those “X months later” captions). Still, despite the shaky script and occasionally cringeworthy dialogue, the action more than makes up for it. It’s clear every actor threw themselves into the stunts and gave everything on screen.
So yes, “Mantis” is absolutely worth watching if you’re into hand-to-hand combat and want something wildly entertaining this week. Even if the story and dialogue aren’t perfect, the sheer energy and skill on display make it a thrill to watch. Here’s hoping it doesn’t get buried in Netflix’s ever-growing library.
Stream "Mantis" on Netflix now.
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