Thomas Storai 
“Mantis can be slow at times, but it’s still an entertaining film with stylish action scenes, and Si-wan Yim delivers a playful performance.”
Mantis is a Korean film starring Im Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, Jo Woo-jin, and Choi Hyun-wook. It releases tomorrow on Netflix.
STORY
The film is set in the same universe as Kill Boksoon, a Netflix film released in 2023. The film does a convincing job right from the start in establishing the world of hired killers. There’s a lot of world-building. This means whether you’ve seen Kill Boksoon doesn’t matter; you can just start with this new one. This is a complex world full of potential. Although the inner conflicts in the hired killer industry are intriguing, the film doesn’t show enough of the killers going on missions, which plays a crucial part in the story’s stakes.
Furthermore, the film itself can be slow at times, which breaks the pace. But when all is said and done, Mantis is an entertaining film that gives you a good time. It has everything you want from a movie about assassins – action, rivalry, and some twists. It’s definitely a universe that has room to grow, and I would love to see it explored with more films.
CAST
Moreover, this film has a talented cast. Si-wan Yim is great as the lead. He delivers a playful performance. The way he plays the character lightens the mood. He also brings his charming presence, which immediately draws attention to him. Park Gyu-young tends to be more dramatic in her performances. This acts as a contrast with Yim’s character. On a side note, this is a Squid Game reunion as both actors were in seasons 2 and 3 of the hit series. Additionally, Jo Woo-jin is the ideal candidate for the leadership position at MK Company. He has a controlled presence.
VISUALS
Undoubtedly, Mantis has some striking shots. This is an excellent cinematography with a vibrant colour palette. There’s something about the lighting in the night scenes that makes them mesmerizing. Director Lee Tae-sung has a keen eye for visual aesthetics. Whether it’s the close-up shots of the characters or the wide shots during the fight scenes, he knows how to create emotions. Speaking of the fight scenes, they are stylish. You can do many things with blades. And since these assassins use blades, it is bloody, and several limbs are chopped off, so be warned.
VERDICT
Mantis can be slow at times, but it’s still an entertaining film with stylish action scenes, and Si-wan Yim delivers a playful performance.
Mantis is set to release on September 26th on Netflix.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
