The new Netflix assassin thriller Mantis has arrived, bringing a bloody new chapter to the world of Kill Boksoon. The film follows top killer Han-ul, known as Mantis, as he gets caught in a dangerous fight for power. The ending sees his childhood friend and rival, Jae-yi, make a shocking move to claim the top spot for herself. But was the journey to get there satisfying for viewers? Here is a breakdown of the ending and whether the film is worth your time.
The Story of Mantis
Mantis is a spin-off of the 2023 Netflix hit Kill Boksoon and takes place in the same world of secret contract killers. The film is directed by Lee Tae-sung and stars Im Si-wan as Han-ul, or Mantis, an elite “A-grade” assassin. He returns from a vacation to find his organization, MK Enterprise, in chaos after its leader is killed .
He is not the only one trying to find a new path. His childhood friend and fellow assassin, Jae-yi (played by Park Gyu-young), has been expelled from MK Enterprise. She feels insecure because Han-ul was always favored over her, even though she often beat him in training . A retired legendary killer, Dok-ko (played by Jo Woo-jin), also returns, hoping to take control of MK and bring Han-ul under his command .
Instead of joining Dok-ko, Han-ul decides to leave MK and start his own company with Jae-yi, called the “Mantis Company” . However, their partnership faces problems quickly. Jae-yi feels that Han-ul pities her, which leads to a fierce sparring match that she wins. After this, she leaves the company .
A leaked video of their fight damages Han-ul’s reputation, making him rely more on his old mentor, Dok-ko. Meanwhile, Jae-yi partners with a tech businessman named Benjamin, who has his own interest in the killer industry .
The Final Battle and Ending Explained
The movie builds towards a major confrontation between the main characters. Benjamin, who also has a problem with Dok-ko, sends a challenge to the old killer, pushing Jae-yi to face him . Han-ul tries to warn Jae-yi, but she refuses to listen.
At the same time, Han-ul fails a job for Dok-ko and receives a knife from him, a serious sign in their world. Lost, Han-ul seeks advice from Gil Boksoon, the main character from the original film. Taking her words to heart, he sends the knife he got from Dok-ko to Jae-yi. This act pulls all three into a final fight .
The showdown happens in Dok-ko’s office at MK Enterprise. In a brutal three-way battle, Jae-yi and Han-ul work together to overpower Dok-ko, leaving him badly injured. Han-ul does not want to kill his former mentor and asks him to just retire. But Dok-ko refuses, saying the fight must end with death. Jae-yi then steps forward and delivers the final blow, killing Dok-ko .
With Dok-ko gone, Jae-yi takes control of MK Enterprise. Now in power, she no longer needs Benjamin. In the film’s final act, she hires Han-ul’s Mantis Company to assassinate Benjamin, tying up the last loose end .
Is Mantis Worth Your Time?
The answer depends on what you are looking for. If you enjoyed Kill Boksoon and want to spend more time in that world, Mantis might be for you. The film delivers intense and well-made action sequences that have been praised as some of the best in recent Korean cinema .
The performances are also a strong point. Im Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, and Jo Woo-jin fully commit to their roles. A standout is Choi Hyun-wook as Benjamin, a spoiled and unpredictable businessman who brings a sharp edge and humor to his scenes .
However, the film has a significant weakness: its story. Many reviews point out that the plot feels slow and disjointed. The nearly two-hour runtime can feel long, and the narrative struggles with coherence, making the overall experience less engaging . One review noted:
The film lacks in storytelling greatly. It’s weak plot make it less engaging as a standalone film .
Compared to Kill Boksoon, which was a psychological thriller, Mantis has a much lighter tone, using more comedy and action . This makes it a easier watch but with less emotional impact. For fans, a nice treat is a brief cameo by Jeon Do-yeon as Gil Boksoon, who gives advice to Han-ul .
Mantis is currently available for streaming on Netflix .
Credits: leisurebyte.com, heavenofhorror.com
