Mantis – A Killer Kung Fu Film That Surprisingly Doesn’t Go For The Jugular. 

By: Dominic La-Viola

Netflix’s “Mantis” is a killer, modern-day kung fu film that blends the art of 70’s-style kung fu films with modern times for casual audiences. 

From the start of the film, it goes without saying that this character is the “John Wick” of his universe, and it’s not only made known by how people react to him but also shown through arguably great hand-to-hand combat scenes.

However, the film takes a quick turn and becomes something different, but not less. Focusing more on the relationships and the character of “Mantis” rather than just the legend that is “Mantis”. 

While watching the film, the sudden change in tone and lack of action did come as a disappointment. For going into it, I had been expecting more action and less story development.

However, the film takes a very different approach to an all-too-familiar story. Instead of focusing on the killings, making the action the centerpiece of the film.

Director Lee Tae-sung takes us on a journey through the life of a cold-blooded assassin by focusing on the other side of the man, the myth, the legend. 

Instead of recreating “John Wick”, but with a focus on hand-to-hand combat fight scenes, using knives and melee weapons instead of guns.

Lee Tae-sung takes us into the personal life and the intricacies of the criminal underworld. Similar to that of “John Wick”, however, focuses more on the characters than the action itself. 

Which, during my viewing, I found to be underwhelming and very disappointing. For going into this film, I was expecting a lot more blood, cutting, killing, and incredible, mind-blowing choreographed fight sequences. Ones that were on the same level as early kung fu films.

Overall, after the film ended and the credits began to roll, I immediately began to appreciate this film for what it was, instead of what I expected to be. 

While there are slow moments, or should I say, there are more character-driven moments than action ones. 

The film successfully conveys the story in which it sets out to tell. Even though it’s not the story in which one would expect to be told, given the circumstances. A film that I plan on watching again soon. For now that   I know what to expect, I feel I will better appreciate the film for what it is.  

Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars.