The Man From Nowhere Review

The Man From Nowhere was in my Netflix queue for years until Dev Patel mentioned it as an influence on his directorial debut, Monkey Man. 

It’s about a man with a hidden past taking on the criminal underworld to a neighbor’s child. The plot probably sounds exactly like Léon: The Professional, but it carves out its own path with impressive execution. 

The movie takes the time to develop a believable bond between the reclusive pawnshop owner, Cha Tae-Sik (Bin Won), and his young neighbor. So, we’re emotionally invested when the little girl is abducted and sold and ready to see people get fucked up. 

The characters, though stereotypical, grab you with relatable themes of friendship and family. A silent hero, a determined detective, sadistic drug lords, a neglectful mother, and a charming little girl cross paths in a by-the-numbers revenge movie that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. But the beautiful cinematography and fight choreography raises the stakes in this gritty version of a neon and blood-soaked Korea. 

I’ve heard this called Korea’s John Wick, but it’s more like The Crow, with a brooding, emo atmosphere and themes of vengeance, crossing into dark subjects like organ and human trafficking.

Despite its familiarity, The Man From Nowhere is a must-watch that proves it’s all in the execution. I saw it on Netflix but it’s available on a few other services.