The Great Flood
The Great Flood (2025)
Image From IMDB
As far as modern cinema goes, South Korea has been producing the best and most interesting films in the world for quite some time. Also, the bravest. The Great Flood could have simply been a standard disaster movie affair, but that’s never the Korean way. Just like Exit or Sinkhole, it always has to be a little more than that, and this time round it blends disaster with Hard Sci-fi.
Kim Byung-woo latest offering starts terrifyingly enough with a massive flood wiping out Seoul, but soon we begin to learn more about the disaster, and the Earth ending consequences. But, all hope is not lost. An Na (Played by the ever wonderful Kim Da-mi) is a scientist working on a mysterious Emotion Engine project, and her work can save the human race… but what exactly is her work?
Part Disaster movie, part sci-fi, the Great Flood is cut into two distinct halves. The first being what you’d expect from the posters and early trailers. The second half however takes you by surprise, going off in a completely different genre direction. And in my opinion, it’s for the better. Sure, it’s jarring to suddenly find yourself in a different movie, but early signs where there, and the science fiction twist in always a welcome one to me. Suddenly the movie isn’t just about a mother and her child, it’s about everything, while still just being about a mother and her child. Only Korea can make films like this of late.
Both parts are held together by a terrific performance from Kim Da-mi who ends ups wearing quite a few hats by the end. The stressed mum with the runaway whining kid morphs into plenty more than that has she’s armed and dangerous by the end, while still trying to find the little brat. And, the most interesting part about her transformation, it makes perfect sense within the confines of the story. Something sometimes lost when a film suddenly decides it needs an acton sequence.
The movies influences come mostly from classic sci-fi novels. Elements of Arthur C Clarke, Poul Anderson, and Kurt Vonnegut all seem on display to me, and if I'm off the mark, well, it at least gives those vibes with the fractured story telling. I loved the little nod to Voyage of the Space Beagle too, even if the movie isn’t related to the classic pulp sci-fi. Clearly the director is a fan of all the books I love, so he gets an extra point for that.
The story is told in a fractured nature, but is still linear, just with time skips. I wouldn't say it’s difficult to follow, but you do also have to pay attention to get the most from it. While the disaster elements offer some popcorn fun, the sci-fi stuff definitely requires some brain power. And, if you’re looking at your phone when the genre switch happens, well. good luck with that.
I’ve seen some mixed reviews about Great Flood, but my immediate impression is that it was a fantastic film, and tried something a little different. I appreciate that some just wanted a disaster flick, I love them too, but I think Great Flood gives you two enjoyable movies for the price of one. It’s an interesting film, with a strong ending, and a great central performance. One I'll definitely be rewatching over the years, knowing very well that I'll pick up new details on every rewatch.
