Netflix’s Demon City Reimagines Revenge Thrillers in a Blood-Soaked Spectacle

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Over the last ten years or so, numerous action-packed thrillers have graced our screens, either in cinemas or top streaming platforms, often being likened to “John Wick.” Much like how the “Speed” motif of the 90s involved high-speed chases on various means of transport, the “John Wick in [specific setting or situation]” idea has swept the globe. The 2025 Netflix film, “Demon City,” has been compared to the Keanu Reeves action series, but I believe it shares more similarities with another, bloodier, revenge-focused movie instead.

After finishing Demon City on Netflix, I found myself yearning for a gritty, gory revenge tale that could rival the intensity of one of this century’s most violent and disturbing films – Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy.

Demon City Is A Brutal Revenge Thriller With A Whole Lot Of Lore And Mystery

⚠️ Caution: Upcoming content may reveal significant plot points about the recently released Netflix action film, Demon City. It’s best to avoid these sections if you haven’t watched it yet.

Or, more colloquially:

🔮 Warning: What follows could give away big secrets from the new Netflix action flick, Demon City. If you haven’t seen it yet, better steer clear of this stuff!

In the film “Demon City,” directed by Seiji Tanaka, based on the renowned manga series “Onigoroshi,” there was much to appreciate. However, what truly stands out is the heart-pounding tale of retribution that lies at its core. The character of Toma Ikuta’s Sakata, a once feared yakuza assassin falsely accused of his family’s murder and left for dead, now haunts the world as a spectral figure. After 12 years in a comatose state, he awakens to seek vengeance against a shadowy group of influential men, who conceal their identities behind traditional Japanese demon masks. And oh, does he deliver on that vengeance!

Throughout the span of two hours in the film, Sakata systematically eliminates wave after wave of armed thugs, henchmen, and powerful gangsters in a quest for vengeance, not just for his family, but also for a life that might have been. As he climbs up the criminal hierarchy hidden within Shingo City, he gains insights into his enemies, their allies, and those he once believed to be friends.

Beyond all else, Demon City is rich with history and enigma. At moments, it seems as if we’re immersed in a chilling Japanese horror narrative, where tales persist about a stray demon in Shingo, who has been searching for an appropriate host for a long time. This entity aims to punish the wrongdoers of the city for their misdeeds.

I Can See Where The John Wick Comparisons Are Coming From, Both With The Story And Action

Various online articles suggest that the movie “Demon City” shares similarities with the “John Wick” films, as noted by Total Film (through GamesRadar), implying that viewers may recognize some common ground when they watch the new Japanese action-thriller. Indeed, I can understand this comparison.

In simpler terms, both movies, “Demon City” and “John Wick,” share a common theme where their main characters are hitmen seeking to leave their past of silent assassinations and spend quality time with their families. However, they are forced back into action due to tragic events. Both productions offer a series of progressively intense and skillfully designed fight and action scenes that elevate the genre’s standards. Additionally, revenge serves as a key component in both narratives.

The film titled “Demon City” shares many similarities with “John Wick“, but during my watch, another movie constantly crossed my mind – one that’s significantly darker and more twisted than anything Keanu Reeves has been associated with in his career.

But Honestly, I Think It Has More In Common With Old Boy

In my watchtime experience, “Demon City” is a Japanese action flick where the protagonist might or might not be under demonic influence, contrastingly, “Oldboy” is a South Korean suspense film about a man exploring his captivity in a hotel room for fifteen years. However, while watching, I found myself constantly drawing parallels between the two. Both films are masterful revenge tales featuring tormented men who relentlessly journey through the depths of hell and back multiple times to uncover truths and seek retribution. Furthermore, they rank among some of the most intensely violent movies I’ve ever witnessed.

These films, more than anything else, feature excessive violence and deliver hard-hitting action without pause from start to finish. Scenes of gore, children being harmed, dismemberment, and gruesome enemy deaths are commonplace. Remarkably, these extended fight scenes never grow monotonous, exhausting, or overly dramatic – a rarity in the world of cinema. Additionally, as both films are exceptional adaptations of comic books, numerous comparisons continue to emerge.

As a cinephile, I must say that the connection between the two films, being about fathers rekindling relationships with their daughters, is undeniable. However, what sets “Demon City” apart from “Oldboy” is its restraint in the extreme narrative approach. I found this to be a refreshing change, as “Oldboy” often pushes boundaries.

Demon City’s Ending Isn’t As Unnerving As Oldboy, But That’s Pretty Much Impossible

In my previous comments, I noted that both “Demon City” and “Oldboy” feature central themes of father-daughter relationships. Although “Demon City” doesn’t quite reach the depths of emotional turmoil, despair, and revulsion as “Oldboy”, it certainly has its share of disturbing elements.

To this day, the shocking revelation in “Oldboy” remains one of the most disturbing endings ever. It would be challenging, if not impossible, for “Demon City” to surpass such a harrowing and traumatic climax. Perhaps it’s better that way.

A Colleague Also Compared Demon City To The Crow, And Now I Can’t Stop Thinking About That

As I was about to dive into my writing, a colleague pinged me and sparked an intriguing thought: they saw similarities between “Demon City” and the 1994 film “The Crow” starring Brandon Lee. Frankly, since then, these two movies have been swirling in my mind like ghosts in a graveyard. They share striking resemblances, with their anti-hero protagonists who were resurrected by supernatural forces, the relentless quest for revenge that cuts through them like a knife, and an overall darkness that’s as deep as a bottomless pit.

In the days to come, I might delve deeper into comparing the two and highlighting the common themes and ideas they present. Until our next encounter…

Among the standout titles this year, “Demon City” has been particularly noteworthy, stirring thoughts of “Oldboy” – a thought I hadn’t entertained in quite some time.

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2025-03-09 23:08