A new Korean blockbuster has climbed to the top of Netflix’s global charts despite intense debate among viewers.
Director Kim Byung Woo’s sci-fi disaster film, The Great Flood, has become an instant streaming phenomenon. The movie secured the No.1 spot on the Netflix Global Movie Chart on December 21st and December 22nd, according to data from FlixPatrol. It cracked the Top 10 in 92 countries and held the top spot for two consecutive days in the United States, Netflix’s largest market.
However, this massive viewership comes with sharply divided reactions.
The film depicts a desperate struggle for survival on Earth’s last day. Following an asteroid collision, a record-breaking deluge submerges an apartment complex.
The story follows Anna (played by Kim Da Mi), a researcher trying to protect her son, Jae-in. Amid the chaos, she is approached by Hee Jo (Park Hae Soo), a security operative who reveals that humanity is doomed. He offers a way out through a project to create a ‘new humanity’ as a last hope. However, this new humanity lacks emotion, and Anna is the only one who can build the emotion engine needed to complete them. She is then faced with the brutal dilemma of whether to abandon her son to board the spaceship and save the species, or stay behind with him.
This mix of high-stakes disaster action and philosophical sci-fi has split audiences down the middle.
While the film is dominating streaming numbers, its viewer ratings remain mixed. As of the morning of December 22nd, its rating on the Korean portal Naver stood at a relatively low 3.84 out of 10.
Critics and viewers are debating over the genre-bending narrative. Negative reviews have expressed frustration, with comments like, “I was disappointed; I expected a disaster movie,” and “It was too convoluted and difficult to follow.”
On the other hand, supporters are praising the film’s ambition. Positive reviews say, “It felt fresh once I understood the concept,” and “Kim Da Mi’s acting was impressive.”
Despite the criticism, the film’s visual quality is undisputed. The production team combined “dry-for-wet” filming techniques with actual underwater sets, requiring the actors to undergo rigorous underwater training.
The Great Flood exemplifies the unique Netflix success formula that controversy creates buzz. The polarized reviews appear to be driving more users to watch the film to verify the debate for themselves.
The Great Flood is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix.
>> ‘The Great Flood’ Review: A Must-See Thriller or Total Wash Out?
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