Watched it Bcs of low review scores
I’m not a fan of disaster films. When I saw the low review scores I thought that it likely was a much deeper film than I imagined so I gave it a go. What I found was a profound movie with extraordinary acting. I was truly blown away by the story. Korean storytellers are simply on another level. I’m glad this film was given a budget and produced. It’s not your usual mass market shallow bore. It requires thinking and observation. It evoked different emotions in me and made me ponder on many questions: Are we becoming like machines rather than machines becoming like us? Have we already lost our humanity?Was this review helpful to you?
Mindbending - A Brave New World
I enjoyed The Great Flood very much. The concept is such a bold idea, and although reminiscent of many other stories, translated well with its own spin, advancing the genre. In otherwords, you will have to watch it to find out exactly what I mean.There are many touch points along the way in this movie. They range from the love of single mothers, through to the challenges of being a parent, the exploration of human nature in a crisis and the future of humankind.
The acting is very good. Our super mum is very human, very believable. Her counterpart, at first appears heartless. However, as events unfold, he helps our super mum become more resilient.
I thought the CGI was of a good standard. However, from my experience, some of the flood sequences portrayed were not quite right. However, we know through studies into sea levels, they can rise very quickly, regardless of the cause.
The movie is mind bending because not all is as it seems. The Great Flood sits well within the sci-fi pantheon, proof yet again that the Koreans are evolving science fiction at a good level.
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Are We Getting the Main Point of this Thriller Wrong?
In the few pieces I've read about this thriller, the main plot seems to focus on a woman trying to save her child when confronted with an apocalyptic event. Granted, that is what we see on the screen.But could we be getting the main plot wrong? I believe so. This is some really narly creative writing.
Not a day goes by that I don't read an article or headline, or hear a podcast about the upcoming world we live in with AI. We definitely are living in the age of the AI dominance race. There seem to be two messages. One, that AI will dominate the human landscape when it comes to jobs. Second, that AI can't replace humans because of our emotional intelligence and ability to connect.
But what if AI could be taught emotional intelligence and the ability to connect at a human level?
I think what we're seeing on the screen in this movie is an AI simulation performed over and over again so AI can learn and develop a strong emotional connection. I say this as we kept seeing scenes done over and over again, and notice how they kept focusing on her shirt with the number increasing. What a brilliant storyline and commentary on the question as to whether AI can truly replace human beings.
Loved the special effects, and loved Kim Da Mi. What a grueling role she had to play, but as usual, she was superb.
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Redefines the sci-fi disaster genre
Mindblowing, presented in its most literal way, still isn't enough to describe this almost 30th floor tall of emotions flooding onto humanity's peak evolution, the scale of this movie is literally earth shattering cinematically on steroids. The visuals are extremely realistic and you could really feel the apocalypse in the first half and the determination in the second half, though a little bloated at its plot development but understandable as it is necessary for that enormous buildup to work out, at least the ending did pay off for it. The whole premise is one very ambitious act done in an unthinkable way that redefines the sci-fi disaster genre, truly unprecedented like never before.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Is this AI propaganda or just an open ending???
I don't actually think this is a bad movie or one that's difficult to understand.The change in the genre shouldn't be that disappointing, since it's always been classified as Sci-fi and I don't really believe in genres that limit the writer's creativity.
I also don't believe this is motherhood propaganda, I'd like to reserve that title to that one K-drama with Lee Minho...
My problem here is how open it is towards the whole AI situation, I feel like it's dangerous in our current political climate. You could also think that it's meant to make you think about it, but as artists I think it's really important to be clear about this kind of topic.
They talk about AI that perfectly imitates human feelings through memories and experiences. However, they're still not human, that child is not a human nor the mother after dying the first time, even if the robot holds all her memories. At the end it's just a bunch of code that will end up repeating the same things endlessly because that's what it's meant to do. And trying to produce sympathy towards a computer feels like you're supporting it.
As I said before, the open ending with the new artificial human species could just be a way to make you think and not necessarily telling you to support AI. But that's how I felt after reflecting a bit that ending full of hope...
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I initially believed the focus would be solely on flooding; however, I was met with an unexpected surprise.You can find more of my reviews on Instagram. :D See my homepage about my Instagram account. Some of my reviews are under five hundred words so I can't post them here. (*^▽^)/★*☆♪(*^-゜)vThanks!
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This review may contain spoilers
wait
it was mad confusing ngl the message wasn’t clear ( as someone who read the synopsis before watching any show i can assure you that i’ve learned nothing from it ) i for sure noticed the numbers on her shirt ( it’s hard to ignore the camera angle ) but the story wasn’t it. they had to be clear from the beginning that she and her kid were in a simulation and they had to bla bla bla overall the acting was very good ( the kid’s acting was so good he even managed to annoye me at first ) HM : when heejo was lying on the ground it reminded me of squid game🥹Was this review helpful to you?
Difficulty level. 10
I like that this movie reminds viewers of the biblical story of Noah and the Flood, in which life on Earth was saved in the ark. God promised never to send the Great Flood again, but here we are—and this time there is no Noah, no Ark, no animals, and no God. The fate of earthly life lies on the shoulders of a troubled mother with a special mission.Her endeavor reminded me of video games, where there are different difficulty levels depending on how hard it is to win. The movie raises the bar to the maximum—level 10. I would certainly give up halfway through.
The first part of the movie serves as a reference point and carries a strong sense of suspense and urgency. The second part has a completely different feel, with more confusion and exhaustion than enjoyment, but it ultimately leads to a satisfying ending that offers a lot to think about and discuss. The movie is quite relevant to our time, even though it is still science fiction.
There were some inconsistent details that bothered me, such as fish suddenly appearing and fire appearing and disappearing between shots. Still, these flaws are redeemed by strong human moments, and overall this is a memorable movie that I can recommend to everyone.
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The unbroken bond between mother and child
Korean productions have this quiet strength when it comes to sci-fi and apocalyptic stories: they never forget the people. While many films in the genre get lost in scale, destruction, and technical realism, Koreans guarantee the human factor is front and center. An apocalypse is not just about cities falling apart—it is about humans breaking and adapting. When everything collapses, it is humanity that bears the weight.«The Great Flood» («대홍수») does not miss that point. It leans into the often overlooked human factor, which means it may disappoint anyone expecting a shallow, effects-driven spectacle. But for those familiar with Korean storytelling—and for anyone who value character over chaos—this film delivers. At its core is a deeply human story, a simple yet powerful focus on the bond between a mother and her child.
Kim Da-mi (김다미) was perfect for the role. She has never limited herself into a single type of role, and that range shows here. The experience she has built over time allows her to embody the character fully, moving through fear, resolve, tenderness, and desperation with ease. It is the kind of performance that allows the audience to sit with the character rather than merely watch her.
9 out of 10 stars.
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An interesting film, but hard to fully understand
The Great Flood is a film that left me with a strong feeling of emptiness and confusion. While watching, I didn't understand everything right away, and even at the end, I felt like I only partially understood the film. Despite this, I can't say it was bad, but it was definitely different from what I expected.The film is very confusing and requires a lot of attention to detail. The explanations are there, but they aren't immediate, and this makes it difficult to watch. I often felt like the film was deliberately trying to confuse the viewer, using a cold and distant atmosphere.
An-na struck me as a very human and fragile figure, a mother trying to do the right thing in an impossible situation.
In my opinion, the film is about humanity collapsing, but receiving a second chance thanks to artificial intelligence. It's not just a disaster movie, but a reflection on the future, on the extinction of humanity, and on the extreme choices people make to survive.
The ending left me even more confused, and I admit I was also a little disappointed. From the trailer and the title, I expected a major natural disaster, but instead I found a much more philosophical film, tied to the theme of artificial intelligence.
I would recommend The Great Flood to those who love sci-fi films, which are symbolic and full of hidden details. I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for an action film or a classic disaster film.
My rating is 6/10: the beginning had piqued my interest, but the general confusion prevented me from fully appreciating it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Artificial Intelligence, Nature, and the Question of Creation in The Great Flood
The Great Flood begins in media res. The viewer is thrown into the chaos and, throughout the film, is given very little exposition about the characters or the incidents that shape the story. This is a clever way of introducing a world that feels dreamlike, especially in its sense of beginning and creation, an origin that remains unknown and unstable.While the film is not as bad as many disappointed viewers have claimed, largely because its title subverts genre-expectations, it does also have its weaknesses.
Overall, it is a solid movie that engages with contemporary social and cultural concerns, particularly questions of creation, whether through technological advancement such as artificial intelligence or through natural reproduction. The film therefore functions as an allegory. It reflects on the creation of the world, its mutability, and the connections between different systems of cause and effect. Yet it remains unclear whether AI represents progress, or whether natural processes such as DNA and genetics are the true forces driving advancement.
Throughout the movie, the viewer repeatedly encounters different numbers attached to the protagonist, suggesting multiple attempts, alternative outcomes, and repeated chances that all converge on the same goal of creation. Although AI appears to be the primary means of achieving this goal, the film includes two moments that emphasize the significance of family bonds. In both instances, the flood recedes and sunlight emerges, visually linking nature and humanity and suggesting an ecological vision of coexistence.
As a Korean film, the allegory may also allude to the country’s declining birth rates and the broader social hesitation toward forming families. This is a theme worth reflecting on, and although the film could have developed these ideas more fully, it still offers a thoughtful and engaging perspective.
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Not just a flood movie
The Great Flood (2025) begins as a high-stakes disaster film, throwing you into a city overwhelmed by massive flooding and impossible odds. The tension is constant, the visuals are striking, and the emotional core—centered on survival, sacrifice, and human connection—keeps you deeply invested. As the story unfolds, it slowly reveals a smarter, more ambitious side, weaving in unexpected sci-fi elements that reframe what you’re watching without giving everything away. By the end, it’s no longer just about escaping the flood, but about memory, humanity, and what we’re willing to do to protect the future. It’s the kind of movie that surprises you, makes you think, and stays with you after the screen goes dark.Was this review helpful to you?
