Mantis
Mantis (2025) is one of the most anticipated Korean films of the year, blending action, thriller, and drama. Directed by Lee Tae-sung, and starring Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, and Jo Woo-jin, this Korean-language film is scheduled for release on September 26, 2025, on Netflix.
Movie Overview
Mantis is a South Korean action-thriller that serves as a spin-off to the 2023 film Kill Boksoon. The story follows Han-ul, an elite assassin known as Mantis, who returns to the contract killer industry after a hiatus. Upon his return, he encounters his former trainee and friend, Jae-yi, now a formidable assassin in her own right. The film delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival in a world where the rules of the past no longer apply.
Attribute Details
- Title: Mantis
- Genre: Action, Thriller, Drama
- Language: Korean
- Release Date: September 26, 2025
- Director: Lee Tae-sung
- Writer: Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Tae-sung
Cast and Characters
The film boasts a talented cast led by:
- Yim Si-wan as Han-ul (Mantis) – An ace assassin returning to a changed world.
- Park Gyu-young as Jae-yi – Han-ul’s former trainee and now a skilled assassin.
- Jo Woo-jin as Dok-go – A retired legendary killer seeking to reclaim his position.
- Choi Hyun-wook as Benjamin – A tech mogul with ambitions in the assassin world.
- Bae Gang-hee as Sumin – A rising star in the assassin community.
- Hwang Seong-bin as Puma Lee – A formidable assassin with a mysterious past.
- Yoo Soo-bin as Dong-yeong – A young assassin with a personal vendetta.
Production and Direction
Mantis is directed by Lee Tae-sung, known for his work on Kill Boksoon. The screenplay is co-written by Byun Sung-hyun and Lee Tae-sung. The film is produced by See Át Film and is set to be released on Netflix globally. The production values are high, with intense action sequences and a gripping narrative that expands the universe established in Kill Boksoon.
Plot Synopsis
Han-ul, once a top assassin known as Mantis, returns to the contract killer industry after a self-imposed hiatus. He finds the world he left behind in chaos, with old alliances shattered and new players emerging. His former trainee, Jae-yi, now a skilled assassin, becomes both an ally and a rival. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is scarce, and survival is paramount. As they confront powerful adversaries, including the legendary Dok-go, Han-ul must decide where his loyalties lie and what kind of future he wants in a world without rules.
Themes and Reception
Mantis explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of the assassin world. The film has been praised for its intense action sequences, complex characters, and the expansion of the Kill Boksoon universe. Critics have noted the film’s ability to blend action with emotional depth, providing a compelling narrative that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
Where to Watch
Mantis will be available for streaming on Netflix starting September 26, 2025. Subscribers can watch the film in various languages, including Korean (original), English, Spanish (Latin America), French, and German. Subtitles are also available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish (Latin America), Korean, Chinese (Simplified), and Chinese (Traditional).
The Spin-Off Concept
Mantis is a spin-off from the 2023 hit Kill Boksoon, expanding its universe by focusing on Han-ul, an elite assassin. Spin-offs allow filmmakers to explore secondary characters and plotlines in greater depth, providing fans with a richer understanding of the assassin world while attracting new audiences.
Han-ul’s Psychological Profile
Han-ul, known as Mantis, is a highly skilled assassin haunted by his past decisions. His return to the contract killer industry forces him to confront moral dilemmas and personal guilt. The film delves into his psyche, exploring how trauma and responsibility shape his decision-making and interactions with others.
Jae-yi as a Strong Female Protagonist
Jae-yi, Han-ul’s former trainee, emerges as a strong, independent character. Her agility, intelligence, and strategic thinking highlight the importance of female representation in action thrillers. Her dynamic with Han-ul provides both mentorship and rivalry, enriching the narrative.
Action Choreography
The film’s action sequences are meticulously choreographed to combine realism and spectacle. From hand-to-hand combat to high-speed chases, the fight scenes are designed to be both visually thrilling and character-driven. Director Lee Tae-sung uses practical stunts whenever possible, enhancing authenticity.
Exploration of Loyalty and Betrayal
Loyalty and betrayal form the backbone of Mantis. Characters navigate a dangerous world where alliances are fragile. The narrative explores the consequences of trust and deception, emphasizing how personal and professional loyalty can clash under extreme circumstances.
Mentorship and Training
The film emphasizes the mentor-trainee relationship between Han-ul and Jae-yi. Their interactions reflect skill development, ethical guidance, and emotional growth. This dynamic provides depth beyond action, showing the human side of the assassin world.
Visual Storytelling and Cinematography
Cinematographer Lee Tae-sung employs dynamic camera movements to highlight action intensity and emotional tension. Close-ups capture subtle character expressions, while wide shots establish scale and danger. Lighting choices emphasize mood, from shadowed interiors to stark outdoor environments.
Use of Color and Lighting
The film uses color palettes strategically. Cool tones dominate urban assassin scenes, reinforcing suspense and danger, while warmer tones appear during reflective or intimate moments, providing visual contrast and supporting narrative themes.
Editing and Pacing
The editing by experienced professionals ensures a rhythm that balances action and character development. Quick cuts heighten tension during fight sequences, while slower transitions allow viewers to absorb narrative and emotional beats, maintaining engagement throughout.
Character Motivations and Conflict
Every character in Mantis has clear motivations that drive conflict. Han-ul seeks redemption, Jae-yi seeks mastery and recognition, while antagonists challenge their ethical and physical limits. These motivations create a layered narrative beyond simple good-versus-evil tropes.
World-Building in the Assassin Universe
The film expands the universe of Kill Boksoon, introducing new factions, technologies, and protocols for contract killers. This world-building enhances immersion, showing viewers a society with rules, hierarchies, and power dynamics beyond the immediate plot.
Symbolism of the Mantis Code
Han-ul’s nickname, Mantis, symbolizes patience, precision, and lethal efficiency. The film uses this as a thematic device, paralleling his approach to both combat and life decisions. This symbolism reinforces character identity and narrative coherence.
Impact of Technology on Assassin Operations
The film explores how modern technology influences assassination tactics, from surveillance drones to encrypted communications. This integration of tech provides realism and raises the stakes, showing that even elite skills require adaptation in a technologically advanced world.
Sound Design and Music Score
The film’s sound design enhances tension and immersion. Subtle ambient noises create suspense, while music cues heighten action sequences. The score supports emotional storytelling, blending orchestral and electronic elements to match the narrative’s tone.
Choreography of Multi-Character Combat
Mantis features several multi-character fight sequences where skill, timing, and environment interplay. Each combat scene is carefully structured to reveal character traits, strategic thinking, and teamwork, making action integral to storytelling.
Supporting Characters and Depth
Secondary characters like Dok-go and Benjamin add narrative complexity. Their motivations and backstories enrich the plot, providing stakes that extend beyond the protagonists. This depth ensures the story feels fully realized and immersive.
Psychological Tension and Suspense
The film maintains suspense through psychological tension. Uncertain alliances, hidden motives, and unpredictable outcomes create a gripping experience, keeping audiences engaged and invested in character decisions.
Mentorship Versus Rivalry
The duality of mentorship and rivalry drives much of the plot. Han-ul and Jae-yi’s relationship evolves from guidance to competition, illustrating themes of growth, challenge, and respect in professional and personal spheres.
Exploration of Ethical Dilemmas
The film presents moral questions about killing, loyalty, and justice. Characters are often faced with decisions where there are no clear right answers, prompting viewers to reflect on ethics in extreme circumstances.
Representation of Women in Action Thrillers
By positioning Jae-yi as a central character, Mantis highlights female agency in a male-dominated genre. Her skills, intelligence, and narrative importance set a benchmark for strong female roles in action cinema.
Fan Engagement and Anticipation
Promotion on social media platforms, teaser trailers, and character reveals have generated significant anticipation. Fans discuss Easter eggs, comic book references, and character arcs, increasing community engagement before release.
Global Streaming Strategy
Netflix’s release ensures worldwide accessibility. Multiple language tracks and subtitles make Mantis a global experience, introducing international audiences to Korean action cinema and expanding its cultural impact.
Potential for a Franchise
Given its rich character universe and connection to Kill Boksoon, Mantis has franchise potential. Sequels or spin-offs could explore secondary characters, new missions, or expanded lore, appealing to fans and establishing a long-term cinematic universe.
Lessons from the Assassin’s World
Beyond action, the film imparts lessons about strategy, patience, and adaptability. Characters must navigate risk, assess threats, and make calculated decisions, providing viewers with insights into decision-making under pressure.
Cultural Significance of Korean Action Cinema
Mantis represents the growing international prominence of Korean action films. It showcases Korean storytelling, cinematic style, and technical expertise, contributing to the global recognition of the country’s film industry.
Final Reflections
Ultimately, Mantis combines high-octane action with character depth, ethical complexity, and immersive world-building. It promises to satisfy fans of intense thrillers while introducing viewers to the rich universe of Korean assassins, setting a new standard for spin-off storytelling in international cinema.
Han-ul’s Dual Identity
Han-ul, also known as Mantis, navigates the tension between his public persona and his secret life as an assassin. This duality drives the plot, as he must balance everyday interactions with lethal responsibilities. The film explores how his hidden identity influences relationships, moral decisions, and trust-building in a high-stakes world.
The Psychological Cost of Killing
Mantis examines the mental toll of being a professional assassin. Through Han-ul’s internal struggles, the film portrays the emotional strain, PTSD-like symptoms, and moral ambiguity faced by individuals whose careers revolve around lethal efficiency. This psychological depth adds realism to the high-octane action sequences.
Jae-yi’s Backstory and Motivation
Jae-yi’s journey from trainee to skilled assassin is central to the narrative. Flashbacks reveal her training, personal losses, and pivotal decisions that shaped her current skills. Understanding her past allows audiences to connect emotionally, making her character more than just a sidekick or action counterpart.
The Role of Secondary Characters
Supporting characters such as Dok-go, Benjamin, and Puma Lee add complexity to the story. Each has unique motivations and expertise, creating multiple layers of conflict. Their interactions with Han-ul and Jae-yi highlight power dynamics, mentorship, rivalry, and ethical dilemmas, enriching the narrative.
High-Stakes Assassination Sequences
Action sequences are designed to convey tension, skill, and strategy. Each assassination attempt is carefully choreographed to reflect character growth, environmental awareness, and psychological tactics. These sequences serve as narrative turning points, not just spectacle.
Use of Technology in Combat
The film integrates modern technology such as drones, surveillance devices, and digital tracking. Characters must adapt to technological challenges, demonstrating ingenuity and resourcefulness. This adds realism and modernizes the classic assassin archetype.
Interpersonal Tension and Rivalry
The rivalry between Han-ul and Jae-yi is layered with mentorship, respect, and past history. This tension drives narrative conflict and allows for moments of character growth, emotional resonance, and strategic maneuvering during key plot events.
Ethics of Contract Killing
Mantis addresses moral questions about killing for hire. The film asks whether survival, loyalty, and personal codes justify lethal actions. Characters confront these ethical dilemmas continuously, providing philosophical depth beyond the action-packed exterior.
Exploring Loyalty in a Dangerous World
Loyalty is a recurring theme, tested by betrayal, competition, and personal ambition. Han-ul’s loyalty to Jae-yi, his former allies, and even to his own moral compass creates narrative tension and emotional stakes, keeping viewers invested in character decisions.
The Mentor-Trainee Dynamic
The evolving relationship between Han-ul and Jae-yi illustrates both mentorship and rivalry. Training sequences, strategic planning, and field missions reveal how trust, skill transfer, and moral guidance are intertwined, shaping their individual arcs and mutual respect.
World-Building and Assassin Hierarchy
The film expands the universe of assassins established in Kill Boksoon, introducing new organizations, ranks, and operational protocols. This structured world-building gives viewers a sense of realism and hierarchy within the otherwise chaotic assassin society.
Cinematographic Techniques for Action
The director employs tracking shots, slow-motion sequences, and dynamic framing to enhance visual storytelling. Close-ups emphasize emotional stakes, while wide-angle shots convey the scale and danger of missions. Lighting and shadow play reinforce suspense and character focus.
Color Symbolism in Character Development
Costume and lighting colors reflect character emotions and allegiances. Dark tones often accompany covert operations, signaling stealth or moral ambiguity, while brighter hues highlight moments of trust, vulnerability, or moral clarity, reinforcing visual storytelling.
Sound Design Enhancing Immersion
The film’s soundscape is layered with ambient noises, combat effects, and tension-building cues. Silence is used strategically to heighten suspense, while musical motifs accompany character themes, enhancing emotional impact and audience immersion.
Editing for Narrative Flow
Luke Dunkley’s editing balances rapid-action sequences with slower, contemplative moments. The pacing ensures that viewers are engaged during fight scenes while still absorbing narrative context and character development, creating a cohesive and satisfying cinematic experience.
Exploring Betrayal and Trust
Trust and betrayal are core elements driving the plot. Characters must decide whom to rely on, often under life-threatening circumstances. These conflicts add depth and suspense, highlighting the moral complexity of the assassin world.
Female Representation in Action Thrillers
Jae-yi exemplifies strong female agency. Her tactical skills, intelligence, and autonomy set a benchmark for female characters in action films, challenging traditional gender roles and inspiring audiences with her competence and resilience.
Training and Skill Development
The film showcases detailed training sequences that reflect realistic skill progression. Hand-to-hand combat, strategic planning, and improvisation exercises illustrate how characters develop capabilities critical for survival and success in a high-stakes environment.
Psychological Tension Between Characters
Interpersonal tension is heightened by past history, unspoken motivations, and high-risk scenarios. Suspense builds through dialogues, standoffs, and morally ambiguous decisions, keeping audiences engaged and emotionally invested.
Global Appeal and International Audiences
With Netflix distribution, Mantis targets global audiences. Subtitles and dubbed versions in multiple languages allow international viewers to experience the action, suspense, and emotional depth of Korean cinema, broadening the film’s cultural impact.
Fan Engagement and Theories
Pre-release marketing encourages fan theories about character motivations, future spin-offs, and hidden Easter eggs from Kill Boksoon. Online discussions and social media engagement build anticipation and create a dedicated community around the film.
Potential for Expanded Universe
Given its rich character and narrative world, Mantis has the potential to expand into a franchise. Future installments could explore secondary characters, untold missions, or alternate regions, appealing to both original fans and new viewers.
Lessons from Strategy and Adaptability
The film emphasizes strategic thinking and adaptability. Characters must assess risks, plan contingencies, and respond to unforeseen challenges. These lessons resonate beyond the narrative, offering viewers insights into problem-solving and decision-making.
Cultural Significance in Korean Action Cinema
Mantis contributes to the rising global recognition of Korean action films. Its complex characters, high-quality production, and innovative storytelling showcase Korean cinematic excellence, expanding the international presence of the genre.
Emotional Resonance Beyond Action
Despite intense action, the film explores themes of loyalty, guilt, and personal growth. Moments of reflection and interpersonal conflict provide emotional weight, ensuring that audiences are invested in character outcomes as much as in thrilling sequences.
Legacy and Future Impact
Mantis is positioned to influence future Korean action thrillers by blending cinematic style, complex characterization, and franchise potential. Its success may encourage filmmakers to pursue similarly ambitious spin-offs and expanded universe narratives.
Final Reflection
Ultimately, Mantis balances adrenaline-fueled action with psychological depth, moral dilemmas, and immersive world-building. Its combination of skilled performances, thematic richness, and cinematic craft ensures it stands out as a defining action-thriller of 2025, appealing to both domestic and international audiences.
About the Author
