Mantis (Korean: 사마귀) is a 2025 South Korean action thriller available on Netflix. The film marks the feature debut of Lee Tae-sung, who directed and co-wrote it with Byun Sung-hyun. Starring Im Si-wan and Park Gyu-young, Mantis is a spin-off of the 2023 movie Kill Boksoon, set in the same world of hired killers. It was released on September 26, 2025, and quickly drew attention for its intense story and stylish action.
K-Movie Profile
- Movie Title (English): Mantis
- Movie Title (Korean): 사마귀
- Revised Romanization: Samagwi
- Genres: Action, noir, thriller, drama, crime, black comedy, romance, gore, picaresque
- Director: Lee Tae-sung
- Writer: Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Tae-sung, Lee Jin-seong
- Starring: Im Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, Jo Woo-jin
- Composer: Dalpalan
- Production Company: See At Film
- Distributor: Netflix
- Release Date: September 26, 2025
- Running Time: 113 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
- Rating: R-19
Plot Synopsis
The story follows Mantis, a top assassin who returns from vacation to find the hitman world in chaos. As he gets pulled back into the action, he meets Jae-yi, his old rival and training partner, and Dok-go, a well-known retired killer. Mantis soon learns that they’re all after the same thing: the title of the best assassin.
Main Casts
Im Si-wan (as Lee Han-ul / Mantis)
- Stage Name (English): Im Si-wan
- Stage Name (Korean): 임시완
- Revised Romanization (Stage Name): Im Siwan
- Birth Name (English): Im Woong-jae
- Birth Name (Korean): 임웅재
- Revised Romanization (Birth Name): Im Ungjae
- Birthdate: December 1, 1988
- Age: 36
- Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupations: Singer, actor
- Debut: 2010
- Agency: The Black Label
- Height: 168 cm
- Weight: 59 kg
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: ENFJ
- Social Media: Instagram, X
Im Si-wan (Korean: 임시완), born on December 1, 1988, is a South Korean singer and actor. He began his career as a member of the boy group ZE:A and later became known for his roles in The Attorney (2013), Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), and Run On (2020). He gained worldwide attention for his performances in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 (2024~2025).
Park Gyu-young (as Shin Jae-yi)
- Birth Name (English): Park Gyu-young
- Birth Name (Korean): 박규영
- Revised Romanization: Bak Gyuyeong
- Birthdate: July 27, 1993
- Age: 32
- Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Agency: Saram Entertainment
- Occupation: Actress
- Debut: 2016
- Height: 169 cm
- Blood Type: O
- MBTI: ISTP
- Social Media: Instagram, TikTok
- Website: Official website
Park Gyu-young (Korean: 박규영), born on July 27, 1993, is a South Korean actress and model. She became well-known for her roles in Sweet Home (2020) and Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 (2024–2025). Park made her debut in the 2016 music video “Crosswalk” and started with supporting roles before gaining attention in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). She later starred in hit dramas such as Dali & Cocky Prince (2021), Celebrity (2023), and A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023).
Jo Woo-jin (as Dok-go)
- Stage Name (English): Jo Woo-jin
- Stage Name (Korean): 조우진
- Revised Romanization (Stage Name): Jo Ujin
- Birth Name (English): Jo Shin-je
- Birth Name (Korean): 조신제
- Revised Romanization (Birth Name): Jo Sinje
- Birthdate: January 16, 1979
- Age: 46
- Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupation: Actor
- Debut: 1999
- Agency: Yooborn Company
- Height: 180 cm
- Weight: 70 kg
Jo Woo-jin (Korean: 조우진), born Jo Shin-je on January 16, 1979, is a South Korean actor. He is best known for winning Best Supporting Actor at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2019 for his role in the hit movie Default (2018).
Ratings & Reviews
| Platform | Score |
| IMDb | 5.4 / 10 |
| Watcha | 2.2 / 5.0 |
| Kinolights | 2.4 / 5.0 |
| Letterboxd | 3.1 / 5.0 |
| Naver | 3.8 / 10 |
Mantis received mixed to negative reviews, with many critics pointing out issues carried over from its predecessor, Kill Boksoon. The film’s childish and overly cartoonish dialogue and its typical “teen angst” moments were not improved and even intensified, which contributed to largely unfavorable reviews. Naver ratings, for example, initially hovered around 4 but dropped to the high 3s, signaling strong criticism.
Positives:
- Performances: Im Si-wan and Jo Woo-jin delivered strong performances praised by many.
- Action Scenes: Unlike Kill Boksoon, the action sequences were improved, though some critics felt they were too brief.
Negatives:
- Cinematography & Visuals: The film lacked the visual quality seen in Kill Boksoon, possibly due to the inexperienced debut director, previously a co-director.
- Direction & Editing: Critics noted awkward direction, with music, cinematography, and editing not always syncing with the film’s tone.
- Story & Pacing: The plot was often described as boring and scattered, making it hard for viewers to stay engaged.
- Character Issues: Park Gyu-young’s character, Shin Jae-yi, received consistent criticism for being an overly insecure and irritating character, frustrating many viewers.
Overall, while the film had moments of strong acting and improved action, issues with dialogue, pacing, and character development prevented it from being widely praised.
Netflix Viewership
Weekly Netflix Rankings
| Week | Overall Rank | Non-English Rank | Watch Time | Views |
| Sep 22 ~ Sep 28, 2025 | 4th | 3rd | 13,200,000 hrs | 7,000,000 |
| Sep 29 ~ Oct 5, 2025 | 4th | 2nd | 12,800,000 hrs | 6,800,000 |
| Oct 6 ~ Oct 12, 2025 | 15th | 5th | 3,600,000 hrs | 1,900,000 |
Cumulative Performance:
- Total Watch Time: 29,600,000 hours
- Total Views: 15,700,000
Data based on Netflix Top 10 tracking.
Top Rankings by Country (Daily Peak)
| Country | Peak Rank | Date Achieved |
| South Korea | 1st | Sep 27, 2025 |
| Japan | 1st | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Brazil | 4th | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Spain | 4th | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Germany | 5th | Sep 29, 2025 |
| France | 6th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| Mexico | 6th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| Canada | 6th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| India | 6th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| Argentina | 6th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| United Kingdom | 9th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| United States | 10th | Sep 27, 2025 |
| Australia | 10th | Sep 28, 2025 |
Watch Mantis on Netflix
