Mantis aka Samagwi (2025) Review: Slick Assassin Action, Uneven Drama

This Mantis review starts with a simple question: can a spin-off match the eccentric charm of its parent film? Mantis, also released as Samagwi, returns to the contract-killer underworld of Kill Boksoon with new faces and a fresh set of grudges. It is a fun, well-staged action outing, though not a flawless one.

Mantis Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Mantis plot centres on Han-ul, an elite assassin who comes back from a long break. He finds the world of hired killers in disarray, because the leadership of MK Enterprise has crumbled. The old rules no longer apply, and the title of the world's number one killer is suddenly up for grabs.

As Han-ul tries to work out where he stands, he meets Jae-yi, a former training partner and rival who carries complicated feelings. Then Dok-go, a legendary killer who has stepped out of retirement, brings fresh trouble. What starts as a reunion turns into a fight for power.

The setup is easy to follow even if you have not seen Kill Boksoon. Fans of that film will spot the familiar tone, but newcomers will not be lost.

What Works in Mantis

The action is the main draw. Critics have praised the fight scenes, especially a one-on-one clash between Mantis and his former mentor. Director Lee Tae-sung, making his feature debut, gives the film a slick, confident style.

• Fight choreography: the set pieces are inventive and nicely paced.

• Fun premise: an underworld without rules gives the violence real stakes.

• Tone: it mixes dark humour with gore, which suits the genre.

The film also keeps the offbeat flavour of its predecessor. Its assassins feel like a strange, tightly knit community, and that world is the most appealing part of the writing by Byun Sung-hyun and Lee Tae-sung.

Mantis Cast and Performances

The Mantis cast is led by Yim Si-wan as Han-ul. He carries the film with a cool, watchful presence and handles the physical demands with ease. Park Gyuyoung plays Shin Jae-yi, the rival with mixed emotions, and Jo Woo-jin appears as the veteran Dok-go.

The supporting players include Choi Hyun-wook as Benjamin, Bae Gang-hee as Yang Su-min and Hwang Sung-bin as Puma Lee. The ensemble is colourful, and the actors commit to the heightened tone.

The problem is not the performances but the writing. Some characters are hard to warm to, and the film rarely gives them room to grow beyond their roles.

Where Mantis Stumbles

Far East Films gave the movie 2.5 out of 5, citing pacing problems and characters that are hard to like when the fists stop flying. That matches my experience. The stretches between fights can drag.

The film also tries to juggle comedy, gore and emotional drama inside a runtime of 113 minutes. That is a lot to carry, and the emotional beats feel rushed next to the action. Compared with Kill Boksoon, it lacks the same character focus and thematic depth.

Audience scores reflect the split. IMDb shows 5.3, while TMDB sits at about 6.4 out of 10.

Is Mantis Worth Watching?

Yes, if you mainly want stylish Korean action and do not mind a thin story. The fight scenes justify the runtime, and Yim Si-wan makes a charismatic lead. The weaker character work keeps it from joining the best of the genre.

If you want a layered drama, look elsewhere. If you want a brisk thriller with memorable duels, it delivers enough. Fans of the original will get the most out of the familiar underworld, and you can read more on IMDb before you decide.

For similar high-energy picks, browse our Samurai Fury: Muromachi Burai review.

Who Will Enjoy Mantis

• Fans of Kill Boksoon who want to revisit its assassin underworld.

• Viewers who love inventive, well-choreographed Korean action.

• Anyone looking for a quick, stylish Netflix thriller without heavy drama.