‘The Great Flood’ Review: Netflix’s South Korean Thriller Hides Shocking Twists

Netflix’s new South Korean thriller, The Great Flood, follows a mother and her young son as they fight to survive a massive flood that turns out to be much stranger than it appears. The show is packed with unexpected twists, and a major reveal halfway through completely changes the story. While initially clever, the plot quickly becomes overly complicated, leading to a chaotic and confusing finale. Some viewers will be thrilled by the unpredictable turns, but others may find themselves lost and frustrated. Regardless, The Great Flood is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The sound of rain fills the air as Dr. Gu An-na (Kim Da-mi) wakes up with her son, Ja-in (Kwon Eun-seong), who excitedly asks to go swimming. Still sleepy, An-na heads to the kitchen to make breakfast, only to discover water spreading across the living room floor. She quickly checks the bathroom, fearing the tub has overflowed, and is met with a loud, rushing sound.

An-na was shocked when she opened her curtains to see floodwaters nearly reaching her third-floor apartment. She watched in disbelief as cars and other objects floated past. Quickly putting her frightened daughter, Ja-in, on a table, An-na began to pack, but then received a call from Son Hee-jo, a security officer from her workplace. He knew about the flooding and urged her to get to higher ground. Hee-jo promised to find her and lead them both to the roof, where a helicopter was scheduled to land.

Anna was confused, but she did as Hee-jo told her. She carried Ja-in on her back and went into a hallway filled with panicked people. Her neighbors were crammed onto the stairs, screaming, crying, and praying. Deciding it was too dangerous, Anna tried the outside staircase instead, only to find a chaotic rush of people being swept away. She wondered how anyone would manage to escape.

Netflix

From the very beginning, The Great Flood pulls you into a terrifying situation with impressive visuals. An-na and Ja-in are fighting for their lives, but so is everyone else in their building. The tension builds as An-na suddenly remembers a past event – a similar disaster she barely survived, but one that came with a heartbreaking loss. Now, she wonders if this new crisis is just another unfortunate coincidence, or if there’s a hidden reason why she’s experiencing it. Could this be connected to the end of the world?

The answer to Anna’s question is surprisingly impactful, and it’s just the beginning of a series of shocking revelations. Director Kim Byung-woo (known for Take Point and Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy) isn’t simply making a disaster movie. He delves into deeper themes, exploring what truly gives life meaning and how far a mother will go to protect her child. Kim aims for a grand and intricate story, and he’s not afraid to get experimental. However, this complex approach might be too challenging for some viewers.

Let’s avoid spoilers and focus on the strengths of the story. The main characters – An-na, Ja-in, and Hee-jo – are trying to reach the roof, which is difficult enough with everyone else also trying to escape the rising floodwaters. But things are even harder because they’re also responsible for Ja-in, a scared and confused child who doesn’t always listen. He runs off, needs to use the bathroom, and generally makes a quick escape impossible. As a child, Ja-in is unpredictable, and keeping him safe is their top priority. The story is most compelling and believable when Ja-in is in danger.

Netflix

Kim’s direction creates a thrilling climb to the rooftop using fast cuts, smooth camera work, and visual effects. The movie maintains a relentless pace as the characters push forward and upward, even with constant flooding. As the story gets more complex, the action ramps up with gun battles and intense fights, and the building itself becomes less important than the bigger picture the film is trying to convey. The special effects evolve from realistic water simulations to something much more fantastical. Keep an eye out – the movie’s poster and trailer reveal a major clue about what’s to come.

The finale of The Great Flood feels a bit messy, clearly inspired by two well-known movies. While the ending is understandable, it relies too much on explaining things. You can appreciate the show’s intriguing mysteries, the creator’s imaginative ideas, and his skill as a director, but it ultimately leaves you feeling drained by the end.

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The Great Flood is streaming exclusively on Netflix.

2025-12-22 20:49

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