Missing the pulse-pounding tension of “Squid Game"? Netflix might have the perfect fix. The streaming service has dropped the first trailer for the Korean thriller “Mantis,” and it looks like an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride you won’t want to miss.
“Mantis” is a spinoff of the 2023 hit “Kill Boksoon,” centering around a ruthless assassin underworld teeming with intense rivalries and non-stop combat. Fans of “Squid Game” will be especially intrigued: two stars from the hit series, Yim Si-wan and Park Gyu-young, are set to appear in this action-thriller.
Even better, “Mantis” looks like an absolute thrill ride worth tuning into next month, set to premiere on September 26, 2025.
“Mantis” takes viewers inside a chaotic world of assassins, where loyalty and rules have all but disappeared.
The story follows a top-tier hitman, Han-ul (Yim Si-wan), returning from a long break to discover that the country’s leading contract-killer agency is in turmoil after the sudden death of its CEO.
Caught in a tense struggle for dominance, he faces off against a former training partner turned rival and a legendary retired assassin, Jae-yi (Park Gyu-young), forcing him into a ruthless competition to claim the top spot in the underworld.
What else do we know about ‘Mantis’ on Netflix?
Along with the release date and teaser, we also have an official synopsis: “An ace assassin returning to a collapsed-order hired killer industry after his vacation. Upon reentering this anarchic world, Mantis encounters Jae-yi, his fellow trainee and rival, and Dok-go, a retired legendary killer, and realizes they are all vying for the top spot among the killers.”
Joining the cast is Jo Woo-jin, playing Dok-go, a notorious retired serial killer returning to the fray.
Taking place in the “Kill Boksoon” universe, “Mantis” shines a light on the next wave of deadly assassins. While the 2023 original focused on Gil Boksoon juggling her role as a mother with her life as a contract killer, this new installment puts Han-ul at the center of the story. The character was only briefly referenced in the original movie, noted as having “taken a vacation.”
“Mantis” is directed by Lee Tae-sung in his feature debut. The screenplay is co-written by Lee and Byun Sung-hyun, who directed the original movie, so fans can expect a story that stays true to the universe while bringing a fresh perspective to the next chapter of this assassin saga.
Korean action thrillers don’t tend to hold back, especially when it comes to the fight scenes. The action is usually tight, intense and ridiculously well-choreographed, making every fight feel like it could actually happen. With that in mind, “Mantis” feels like it’s shaping up to be a seriously thrilling watch this fall.
In the meantime, you can catch “Kill Boksoon” on Netflix for a refresher or to get up to speed on the universe before “Mantis” hits the streamer on September 26.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
