The Great Flood

The Great Flood (2025): A Drenched Thrill Ride That Drowns Its Emotional Core

When Netflix dropped the trailer for The Great Flood—Kim Byung-woo’s long-awaited disaster flick starring Kim Da-mi—social media exploded. Fans of the director’s 2016 hit Train to Busan (wait, no, that was Yeon Sang-ho—my bad, but still) were hyped for another Korean blockbuster about survival against all odds. Set to stream globally on December 19, 2025, the film follows two strangers trapped in a Seoul apartment complex as a global flood submerges the planet. Their mission? Save a young child before the waters swallow them whole. But does this disaster movie sink or swim? Let’s dive in.

First off, the premise is as straightforward as a tsunami warning: no time for backstory, just chaos. The opening sequence hits hard—rain pours, skyscrapers crumble, and Kim Da-mi’s character, a sharp-tongued engineer, races through flooded streets like she’s late for a K-pop concert. The CGI is chef’s kiss—water gushes through windows with such force you’ll check your own ceiling for leaks. But here’s the thing: disaster movies live or die by their characters, and The Great Flood feels like it forgot to pack a life jacket for its emotional beats.

Kim Da-mi is charismatic as always—her dry humor (“I didn’t sign up for a swimming lesson from Mother Nature”) lands even when the script doesn’t. But her co-star, a mysterious drifter with a tragic past, is about as deep as a puddle. Their banter is fun at first, but when the film tries to tug at heartstrings—like when they bond over the child they’re protecting—it feels forced. The kid, by the way, is adorable but has all the personality of a rubber duck. You root for them to survive, sure, but you never really care.

Now, let’s talk about the pacing. The first hour is a nonstop rollercoaster: elevator crashes, electrical fires, a tense scene where they have to cross a flooded hallway on a rickety table. It’s edge-of-your-seat stuff—perfect for a Friday night watch with friends. But the second half slows to a crawl. There’s a subplot about a group of survivors hoarding supplies that goes nowhere, and a “twist” about the flood’s cause that’s so obvious you’ll roll your eyes harder than when your mom asks why you’re still in bed at 2 PM.

The ending? Oh, the ending. Without spoiling, let’s just say it’s a classic “we need a sequel” cop-out. The flood magically recedes (because… reasons?), and our heroes stand on a rooftop, staring at the sunrise like they just won a K-drama award. It’s cheesy, it’s abrupt, and it left me thinking, “Wait, that’s it?”

But hey, not everyone watches disaster movies for the plot. If you’re here for the spectacle, The Great Flood delivers. The cinematography is stunning—shots of Seoul underwater look like a post-apocalyptic art exhibit. And the sound design? The roar of the flood will make your speakers shake. It’s the kind of movie you put on when you want to turn off your brain and eat popcorn until you’re full.

So, who should watch this? If you’re a Kim Da-mi stan, yes—she’s worth every minute. If you love disaster flicks like 2012 or San Andreas, you’ll have a blast. But if you’re looking for something with depth, like Parasite meets Titanic, you’ll be disappointed.

Final verdict: The Great Flood is a fun, mindless ride that’s perfect for a rainy day (pun intended). It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s not a flop either. Grab your friends, order pizza, and enjoy the chaos—just don’t expect to remember it next week.

Rating: 3/5 — Good for a watch party, bad for a deep dive.

P.S. If you stay for the credits, there’s a teaser for a possible sequel. Let’s hope they fix the plot holes by then.