On Netflix, Korean productions are used to being a hit and this time, it’s the turn of a post-apocalyptic film to amaze us!
Released on January 26 on Netflix, Badland Hunters is causing a sensation by already placing itself in the top French streaming films. It doesn’t do things by halves since it is squarely in the top 5 of the most watched films on the platform here. Everyone is unanimous about this feature film. We owe this success to Heo Myeong Haeng, a Korean director and stuntman who has already worked on award-winning films like The Roundup, but also a few others who were nominated: Asura and Phantom. From historical films to detective films, the man has touched on everything and this time he is devoting himself to the post-apocalyptic. He also takes with him Ma Dong-seok, actor recognized for his role in The Eternals or The Last Train to Busan.
Badland Hunters, what is it about?
Badland Hunters follows another film: Concrete Utopia released in 2023. The latter is not available for streaming at the moment, but fortunately, it is really not necessary to have seen it to understand the plot of the Netflix hit.
Badland, that’s what we call the next world, a world destroyed by the ravages of an earthquake beyond measure. In this new hostile environment, survivors are forced to adapt. In a Mad Max-style universe, we find two “Badland hunters”: Nam San and Choi Ji-wan, they work to defend their camp against other malicious survivors, but also against mutant creatures. However, several residents and a young girl, named Su-Na, close to one of the two protagonists, are kidnapped. The kidnappers justify their action by explaining that they are taking them to carry out research to ensure a better world. The two hunters will do everything to find Su-Na and save the others. To do this, they will have to face mad doctors, scientific mutations and many other obstacles that they will overcome with violence and pragmatism.
The result: nearly two hours of unbridled action as Korea loves to do. Although the actors are not very well known here, we can rely on their more than satisfactory performance, particularly with regard to the fighting choreographies.
What to expect ?
Given the length of Badland Hunters of 1 hour 47 minutes and the subjects covered, we are clearly facing an action film that is not going to pull any punches. Pure entertainment therefore, with a scenario inspired by universes that we appreciate like World War Z or Resident Evil, with mutants, and of course Mad Max, for the artistic direction and the post-apo atmosphere. Although the actors are not known here, we can rely on their more than satisfactory performance, especially with regard to the fighting choreographies. In the trailer alone, we are amazed and we see the 200% investment of the actors.