If you logged into Netflix this weekend, you likely saw a massive wave swallowing an apartment complex on your home screen. That’s "The Great Flood" (Daehongsu), the highly anticipated Korean survival thriller that dropped on December 19, 2025.
Starring heavy hitters Kim Da-mi (Itaewon Class) and Park Hae-soo (Squid Game), the film promised high-stakes action and cutting-edge CGI. But now that it's out, viewers are torn. Is it a masterpiece of genre-blending, or a wet mess? Here is everything you need to know before you hit play.
The Premise: More Than Just Rising Water?
On the surface, the plot seems straightforward. A catastrophic flood hits Earth (triggered by an asteroid strike melting the polar ice caps), leaving the planet submerged. The story zooms in on An-na (Kim Da-mi), an AI researcher trapped in a high-rise apartment complex.
As the water rises floor by floor, An-na fights desperately to save a young child. She is soon joined by Hee-jo (Park Hae-soo), a member of a security team who seems to know more than he is letting on.
The Twist (No Spoilers): While the trailers sold this as a classic disaster flick like The Day After Tomorrow, early reviews reveal that the movie takes a sharp Sci-Fi turn halfway through. It’s not just about swimming to safety; the plot involves time loops, AI simulations, and existential questions. This genre-switch is exactly what has the internet debating.
The Good: Visuals and Acting
If you are watching for the spectacle, "The Great Flood" delivers.
The CGI: Critics are praising the visual effects. The scenes of the water crushing into the building and the claustrophobic underwater sequences are terrifyingly realistic.
Kim Da-mi’s Performance: As expected, Kim Da-mi anchors the film with a raw, emotional performance. She sells the desperation of a protector perfectly, even when the plot gets complicated.
The Bad: A "Confusing" Shift?
The primary complaint flooding social media (pun intended) is the narrative complexity.
Genre Whiplash: Viewers expecting a pure survival action movie were thrown off by the heavy sci-fi elements introduced in the second act.
Pacing: Some reviews suggest the movie gets "bogged down" by its own philosophical questions, losing the adrenaline-pumping tension of the first 30 minutes.
The Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Stream It If: You love Korean cinema, are a fan of Squid Game or The Witch, and enjoy movies that make you think (like Inception meets The Poseidon Adventure).
Skip It If: You just want a popcorn flick with explosions and don't want to solve a puzzle while watching a disaster movie.
Where to Watch: Streaming now globally on Netflix.
Quick Facts
Release Date: Dec 19, 2025
Director: Kim Byung-woo (The Terror Live)
Cast: Kim Da-mi, Park Hae-soo
Runtime: 1h 50m
Have you watched 'The Great Flood' yet? Did the twist blow your mind or sink the movie for you? Let me know in the comments below!