Netflix #1 Movie Is a Korean Disaster Flick With 37% on RT – But It Deserves a Higher Score

On December 19, the South Korean sci-fi disaster movie The Great Flood unexpectedly topped Netflix's charts.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, director Kim Byung-woo's film attracted millions of viewers. It is a clear example of how ambitious, albeit imperfect, works can be far more captivating than Hollywood formulas.

What Is 'The Great Flood' About?

The story starts on an ordinary rainy day in Seoul that quickly turns into a nightmare. Young scientist An-na and her six-year-old son, Ja-in, find themselves trapped in their apartment as water rapidly rises and inundates their high-rise building floor by floor.

Soon, An-na receives a call from Hee-jo, a security officer at the corporation where she works on a secret, high-tech project. He informs her that the fate of all humanity depends on An-na's next steps.

'The Great Flood' Might Be a Bit Too Complicated, but Its Shift From the Disaster Genre to Sci-Fi Is Impressive

Kim Byung-woo doesn't limit himself to the typical action flick with natural disaster as the backdrop – he veers into intellectual science fiction, weaving multilayered concepts into the narrative.

The transition from family drama to complex sci-fi can feel abrupt and disorienting. The plot risks seeming nonsensical until the creators provide explanations that are belated but logical.

Despite the potential for information overload, the attempt to move beyond a simple disaster movie is commendable, as it challenges viewers to solve the plot's puzzles rather than simply following the special effects.

'The Great Flood' Is Not a Dramatic Masterpiece, but It Has a Convincing Story & Worthy Special Effects

Of course, The Great Flood has its flaws. The creators' desire to complicate the plot sometimes backfires, and not all viewers are willing to overlook this deliberate overcomplication.

However, at the heart of the story lies a simple yet powerful idea: the juxtaposition of global catastrophe with the boundless power of maternal love. The characters' many struggles ultimately come together to form a coherent picture, and the ending leaves room for reflection.

As for the visuals, the special effects are more than worthy and impressive for a streaming premiere, convincingly depicting a large-scale disaster.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Great Flood'?

• The Great Flood has 50% from critics and 37% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Great Flood scored 2.6/5.0.