Mantis – Inspired by the World of ‘Kill Boksoon’ (2023)

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“Mantis” is a 2025 Korean movie, categorized as Thriller, Action, Crime, and Noir or Neo-Noir, and streaming on Netflix. Memorable Quote: “The shadows don’t forgive. They remember who dared to leave.” SUMMARY: A deadly universe of elite assassins. Their loyalties are fractured, and their power plays are brutal. The only thing they can do really well is kill. The most they can hope for in this life is that they don’t turn on each other.
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Mantis – Inspired by the World of 'Kill Boksoon' (2023)

“Mantis” is a 2025 Korean movie, categorized as Thriller, Action, Crime, and Noir or Neo-Noir, and streaming on Netflix. Memorable Quote: “The shadows

popgeeks.com

 

[Norelle]

I watched Kill Boksoon, and I liked how it mixed family drama with action. That balance made it unique. From what I read here, Mantis does not seem to have the same emotional anchor. If Han-ul’s only motivation is his contract and his friend, it feels shallow compared to Boksoon’s bond with her daughter. This may be why the spin-off struggles to hold the same power.

 

[TheNakedFace87]

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe it. You know that actress, Park Gyu-young. She was Guard 11 in Squid Game. I remember her role there, even if it was small, and I always thought she deserved more chances. Now seeing her in Mantis makes me really happy because it feels like she finally has another big break. She has such a strong screen presence, and I know some people might only remember her from It’s Okay to Not Be Okay or Celebrity, but for me, I always connect her with Squid Game. It is so nice to see her getting recognized again. I hope this project opens even more doors for her, because she has the talent to carry major roles, not just supporting ones.

 

[Betchis]

The bloody knife trivia is actually my favorite part. I like how cultural comparisons are made between Korean underworld rituals and Western traditions like glove-slapping or gauntlet-throwing. It helps me understand the deeper meaning behind these rules. It is not just about killing. It is about honor, reputation, and recognition within a dangerous society.

 

[Creed Chen]

No matter which role Siwan takes, he always carries the presence of a true lead. His performance is sharp, layered, and consistently impressive. I really enjoy watching him on screen with Gyu Young, their chemistry feels natural and strong. It makes me happy that this story builds further on the “Kill Boksoon” universe, because it feels richer and more exciting with their addition.

 

[Felix]

The idea of someone asking for a vacation from killing is strange but interesting. Han-ul’s request shows how normalized murder is for him. It feels like asking time off from office work, but in his case, the office is death. This makes the film unique compared to other action thrillers.

 

[Fanny]

Wow, a Squid Game reunion? No way, Player 333 and Guard 11 back together! That honestly makes me more curious to see this. Both of the actors always give phenomenal performances, so I have no doubt they’ll deliver here too. From the look of it, I feel like the tone really matches Kill Boksoon. Maybe it is a sequel, or at least set in the same universe. I am not totally sure yet, but either way it looks really promising. I will probably end up watching it.

 

[JinnyGoesKrazy]

When I finished watching Mantis, the first thing I thought about was how fragile loyalty feels in this kind of world. Han-ul’s vacation idea almost felt naïve, like he thought he could step away from the blood without consequences. The way the Chairman’s death throws everything into chaos reminded me that in an organization like MK, power is never stable. I actually liked that they brought back Dok-go to fill the gap, because it shows how the past still has a strong grip on the present. But at the same time, it makes Han-ul’s situation even worse. His contract, his plans, even his friend’s chances are all crushed in one moment. For me, the “bloody knife” trivia was one of the best touches. It connected the world of Kill Boksoon and gave context for why challenges matter so much in this universe. Still, I think the movie leaned too much on atmosphere and not enough on building deeper emotions for Han-ul. I wanted to care more about his struggle, but it felt like the film expected the audience to fill in the blanks.

 

[Killer Barbie]

To be honest, I think Mantis suffers from being too connected to Kill Boksoon. The movie assumes we already know and love this world, but what if someone did not watch the first film? They might feel lost, especially when symbols like the bloody knife come up. I watched Kill Boksoon before, so I understood, but it still felt repetitive. The best part was Yim Si-Wan as Han-ul. He gave the character a quiet frustration, someone trapped but still hoping. Without him, the movie would have been much weaker.

 

[JJ]

The introduction of Dok-go as interim CEO was smart. It grounded the story and reminded viewers that the founders of MK are still important, even if they are old or retired. But I feel like his arrival was too neat. In real life, a sudden death in a criminal empire would cause chaos, not a smooth leadership handover. The movie made it too convenient.