Mantis (film)

Mantis
Release poster
Hangul
사마귀
RRSamagwi
MRSamagwi
Directed byLee Tae-sung
Written by
Produced byLee Jin-hee
Starring
CinematographyKang Min-woo
Edited by
Music byDalpalan
Production
company
See At Film
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • September 26, 2025 (2025-09-26)
Running time
113 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean

Mantis (Korean사마귀) is a 2025 South Korean action thriller film directed by Lee Tae-sung in his feature directorial debut. Starring Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, and Jo Woo-jin, the film is a spin-off to the 2023 film Kill Boksoon and set in the same universe.[1] The film was released on September 26, 2025 on Netflix.[2]

Synopsis

The film is about Mantis, a top assassin who comes back from vacation to find the hitman world in chaos after the downfall of the top company, MK. As he reintegrates into the industry by attempting to start his own company, he runs into Jae-yi, a former training partner and rival, and Dok-go, a famous retired killer who was his mentor at MK. He soon realizes they’re all competing to become the number one assassin.

Cast

Production

On September 2, 2024, Netflix confirmed the production of the action thriller film.[6][7]

The film was shot over a five-month period, beginning on August 1, 2024, and concluding on December 20, 2024.[8]

Release

The film was released on Netflix on September 26, 2025.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Netflix Confirms Production of 'Mantis' (WT), A Spin-Off Film of 'Kill Boksoon'" (Press release). Netflix Newsroom. September 2, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. ^ Kim Ha-young (August 27, 2025). "임시완, '길복순' 세계관 입성…'사마귀' 9월 26일 공개 확정" [Im Si-wan enters the world of "Gil Bok-soon" and "The Mantis" is set for release on September 26th.]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Go, Seung-a (September 2, 2025). '사마귀' 임시완·박규영·조우진, 킬러들의 격돌…"최고의 조합" [Mantis, Im Si-wan, Park Kyu-young, Jo Woo-jin, and the killers' clash..."The best combination"]. News1 (in Korean).
  4. ^ "'Mantis' Trailer Previews High-Stakes Rivalries to Be No. 1 Contract Killer — Premieres September 26". Netflix. September 14, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Musnicky, Sarah (September 26, 2025). "REVIEW: 'Mantis' Gives Hope To The Next Generation Of Killers". But Why Tho?. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  6. ^ Shim, Sun-ah (September 2, 2024). "Netflix confirms production of Kill Boksoon spinoff". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  7. ^ Merican, Dara (September 2, 2024). "Netflix Announces 'Kill Boksoon' Spinoff, Casts Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young & Jo Woo-jin". Deadline. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  8. ^ Robinson, Jacob (August 27, 2025). "'Kill Bok Soon' Spin-Off 'Mantis' Sets September 2025 Netflix Release". What's on Netflix. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  9. ^ Seo Ji-hyun (August 27, 2025). "레전드 킬러가 온다…임시완→박규영 '사마귀', 9월 26일 공개" [The Legendary Killer is Coming… Im Si-wan → Park Gyu-young's "Witch" to be released on September 26th.]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 27, 2025.