Project Wolf Hunting (2022)
Directed by: Kim Hong-sun
Written by: Kim Hong-sun
Starring: Seo In-guk, Jang Dong-yoon, Choi Gwi-hwa, Park Ho-san, Jung So-min
Release Date: September 21, 2022 (South Korea)
Available on: Amazon Prime Video

I recently watched Project Wolf Hunting on Amazon Prime, my parents, as usual, in bed and the sound cranked up through my new Samsung earbuds. This South Korean film is a wild mix of extreme violence and science fiction that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. I was so impressed that I showed some of the more extreme clips on my telephone at school. Sadly, one of the less brain-dead supply teachers noticed and threatened me with the safeguarding pigs. The man plainly has no taste, and was unable to follow my explanation from Aristotle of the role of hamartia in drama: O saeclum insapiens et infacetum.

But never mind this. The story begins with a plan to transport 47 dangerous criminals from the Philippines to South Korea aboard a massive cargo ship called the Frontier Titan. The authorities choose sea transport after a previous attempt ended in a deadly airport explosion. The prisoners, a mix of gangsters and other hardened criminals, are heavily guarded by a team of determined police officers.

Among the prisoners is Park Jong-doo (Seo In-guk), a notorious criminal mastermind known for his ruthlessness. Jong-doo and his cohorts have planned an elaborate escape. As the ship moves into international waters, chaos erupts when the prisoners break free and begin a violent uprising against the guards. There is blood everywhere.

Things then turn ever darker when the crew and prisoners discover a hidden experiment deep within the ship’s hold. A superhuman entity known as Alpha (Choi Gwi-hwa), the result of a secret military project, is unleashed. Alpha possesses extraordinary strength and an insatiable thirst for blood, turning the voyage into a splattery battle for survival.

A real surprise in this film was Jang Dong-yoon’s portrayal of Lee Do-il, an Interpol red-notice criminal with numerous charges. Better known in romantic dramas, Jang takes a sharp turn here, delivering a character both mysterious and intense. His transformation is so complete that, with all his tattoos and sadism, I only recognised him in the credits.

Beyond the relentless action and gore, Project Wolf Hunting digs into themes of human experimentation and the abuse of power. The film explores the consequences of unethical scientific practices, highlighting how those in authority exploit their positions for evil purposes. This critique of political corruption and moral decay is a recurring theme in Korean cinema, reflecting a deep-seated scepticism towards those in power. In this degree, it can be seen as a libertarian film.

Project Wolf Hunting is a bold entry in the action-horror genre. Its unflinching portrayal of violence, combined with a compelling narrative and strong performances, makes it a memorable experience. While not for the faint of heart, those who appreciate intense, adrenaline-fueled cinema will find much to admire in this film. Obviously, I found a lot.