In a world on the brink of annihilation, two of South Korea's most compelling actors, Kim Da-mi and Park Hae-soo, lead a high-stakes battle against an unrelenting natural force in the upcoming Netflix original film The Great Flood. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kim Byung-woo, known for his tense thrillers like The Terror Live and Monstrous, the movie blends heart-pounding action with profound explorations of human resilience. New stills released today offer a gripping glimpse into the chaos, showcasing the stars navigating a submerged high-rise amid Earth's final hours.
The images capture the raw intensity of the production, with water surging through dimly lit corridors and stairwells, transforming an ordinary apartment complex into a claustrophobic deathtrap. Kim Da-mi, portraying AI researcher Anna, is seen sprinting through knee-deep floodwaters, her young son Ja-in strapped to her back as she clutches desperately for higher ground. Her expression—a mix of fierce determination and maternal terror—conveys the impossible choices forced upon her.
Park Hae-soo, as the vigilant security officer Hee-jo from the AI institute's personnel team, appears in several frames with a steely gaze, methodically clearing paths floor by floor, his posture radiating calculated precision even as the deluge threatens to overwhelm him. One particularly evocative shot shows Hee-jo shielding Ja-in from the rising tide, while another reveals Anna partially submerged, her face etched with exhaustion and resolve. Subtle sci-fi flourishes, like ethereal orange particles glowing in the water, hint at layers beyond mere catastrophe, suggesting a narrative intertwined with advanced technology and existential stakes.
These visuals underscore the film's confined setting, where every inch gained toward the rooftop represents a victory against overwhelming odds. Produced by Hwansang Studios and co-written by Kim Byung-woo and Han Ji-su, The Great Flood was shot over six grueling months from July 2022 to January 2023, demanding innovative filming techniques to simulate the relentless water flow in tight spaces. The production's commitment to authenticity is evident in the actors' physical commitments, with reports of extensive water-based rehearsals to capture the disorienting panic of survival.
Kim Da-mi, fresh off her nuanced performance in the romantic drama Our Beloved Summer, brings emotional depth to Anna, a character whose intellect clashes with primal instincts. Reflecting on her role, she shared, “I wanted to show more of the growth the character undergoes as the story unfolds amid extreme circumstances. It was difficult, but it was a role through which I was able to learn a lot.” Park Hae-soo, whose intense portrayals in Squid Game and Narco-Saints have solidified his status as a master of moral ambiguity, embodies Hee-jo's unyielding focus. He noted, “I was drawn to bringing out the innate attitudes and nature of humans that emerge in confined spaces.”
Director Kim Byung-woo emphasizes the film's dual nature, stating, “The title The Great Flood contains both a genre and a meaning. When the film reaches its final destination, I hope it approaches viewers with a meaning beyond genre. That shift in thinking is the key point of the film.” Having premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere section, the movie has already sparked discussions for its innovative take on disaster tropes, praised for weaving personal drama into apocalyptic spectacle.
What is The Great Flood about?
The Great Flood, or 대홍수 in Korean, unfolds on what humanity believes to be its last day, as a cataclysmic deluge engulfs the planet without warning. The story centers on Anna, a brilliant AI researcher at a cutting-edge institute, who finds herself trapped in her apartment building alongside her young son, Ja-in, when the waters rise instantaneously. As society crumbles outside, the narrative shifts inward to this single structure—a vertical labyrinth of flooded floors, flickering emergency lights, and echoing cries for help—where survival hinges on split-second decisions.
Enter Hee-jo, a no-nonsense member of the institute's security team, whose routine patrol turns into a high-wire mission. Tasked with escorting Anna and Ja-in to the rooftop helipad, Hee-jo's razor-sharp instincts guide them through submerged hallways and staircases teeming with debris and despair. But this is no ordinary evacuation; Anna carries critical knowledge tied to an experimental AI project that could offer a glimmer of hope for mankind's future. As the floodwaters climb relentlessly, the trio confronts not only the physical peril but also the unraveling of their psyches—Anna's guilt over her work-life imbalances, Ja-in's innocent terror, and Hee-jo's buried vulnerabilities surfacing under pressure.
Check out the trailer for Netflix's The Great Flood below:
The film boasts a strong ensemble beyond its leads, including Park Byung-eun, Jeon Hye-jin, Kim Dong-yeong, and rising talent Kang Bin, each contributing to the building's tapestry of fleeting alliances and heartbreaking losses.
The Great Flood will make its exclusive global debut on Netflix on December 19, 2025, available in multiple languages with Korean audio and subtitles.
Source: Naver
