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Jo Yoon-soo’s Breakout Carnage: The Tyrant Asks More Questions Than It Answers
The Witch universe just keeps expanding, and The Tyrant comes in as an intriguing side dish before the long-awaited The Witch: Part 3. Instead of another feature-length film, this one takes the form of a short, high-impact, four-episode K-drama spin-off, diving deeper into the secret government experiments that have been lurking in the background since the first movie. With a star-studded cast, top-tier action sequences, and a tightly packed runtime, The Tyrant delivers just enough to keep us entertained—though it doesn’t exactly blow the doors open on the Witch universe lore.
The premise is simple: a secret bioweapon project called The Tyrant has been dismantled, and the last remaining sample has gone rogue. Various factions—Korean intelligence, the CIA, and an ex-hitman—are all racing to retrieve (or eliminate) it. This leads to a high-stakes chase full of betrayals, intense action, and shady motivations. If you came in expecting layered storytelling like Moving, you might be a bit disappointed. But if all you want is stylish action with a touch of world-building? This one's got you covered.
One of the biggest surprises of The Tyrant is its new female lead, Chae Ja-gyeong, played by Jo Yoon-soo. Unlike Ja-yoon or Ark 1, she wasn’t part of the Witch clone project—she’s a highly skilled assassin with Dissociative Identity Disorder. And Jo Yoon-soo? Absolutely nails it. She seamlessly shifts between her different personas—her innocent girl self, her brother’s personality, and her final form as The Tyrant. The way she embodies these distinct identities makes her a worthy successor to Kim Da-mi and Shin Si-ah in the Witch universe. Her transformation into The Tyrant is both terrifying and fascinating, leaving us wondering just how she’ll factor into The Witch: Part 3.
The action is, of course, a highlight. The cinematography is stunning, with wide shots showcasing the intensity of each battle, and the fight choreography is still on brand with the franchise. While the gore has been toned down (likely due to this being a Disney+ release), it doesn’t take away from the high-stakes brutality that defines this universe. Every gunfight, chase scene, and melee battle feels tight and personal, keeping the adrenaline pumping from start to finish. The budget might be lower than the films, but the execution still looks premium.
Another standout is Kim Seon-ho as Director Choi, a complete departure from the roles he’s known for in standard K-dramas. His cold, calculating performance keeps you guessing about his true motives the entire time. Meanwhile, Cha Seung-won’s Lim Sang brings a different kind of energy—a weary, deadly ex-agent who just wants to clean up this mess. And let’s not forget Kim Kang-woo as Paul, the CIA operative who is equally determined to secure the last Tyrant sample. The way these three men collide and manipulate each other makes for an engaging game of cat and mouse.
Now, while the drama delivers on action and performances, the plot itself is fairly simplistic. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it just gives us a fast-paced chase where everyone’s after the same thing. And while that’s fine for a side story, it doesn’t necessarily add much depth to the Witch universe. If you’re hoping for deeper world-building about the origins of the Tyrant program or how it connects to the broader narrative, you might leave with more questions than answers.
Another issue is the sheer number of side characters. Much like The Witch: Part 2, The Tyrant introduces too many players with too little development. There’s no proper explanation of what the organization behind The Tyrant actually is—only vague mentions of it having branches in China and the U.S. Even Director Choi’s motivation to create The Tyrant is briefly mentioned once and then never expanded upon. The focus is so much on securing The Tyrant that the “why” behind everything gets lost.
And then, of course, we have the cliffhanger ending. If you were hoping for The Tyrant to provide concrete answers, you won’t find them here. Instead, the drama clearly sets up future projects, leaving some key elements—like Chae Ja-gyeong’s full backstory—entirely unexplored. This could be fine if you’re invested in the Witch universe, but if you’re just a casual viewer, it might feel unfinished.
Final verdict? The Tyrant is a solid, action-packed side story that does its job—keeping fans engaged while we wait for The Witch: Part 3. The stellar cast, brutal fight sequences, and intense pacing make it a fun watch, but it doesn’t truly expand the universe the way we might have hoped. That said, Jo Yoon-soo absolutely kills it as the new FL, and if her role as The Tyrant plays into the next film, she could become one of the most interesting characters in the series.
If you’re deeply invested in The Witch universe, it’s worth the watch. If you’re just here for great action and don’t mind an open-ended narrative, you’ll have fun. But if you’re looking for major story revelations? You won’t miss much by skipping it.
Final Score: 7/10—entertaining, but more of a stepping stone than a must-watch.
The premise is simple: a secret bioweapon project called The Tyrant has been dismantled, and the last remaining sample has gone rogue. Various factions—Korean intelligence, the CIA, and an ex-hitman—are all racing to retrieve (or eliminate) it. This leads to a high-stakes chase full of betrayals, intense action, and shady motivations. If you came in expecting layered storytelling like Moving, you might be a bit disappointed. But if all you want is stylish action with a touch of world-building? This one's got you covered.
One of the biggest surprises of The Tyrant is its new female lead, Chae Ja-gyeong, played by Jo Yoon-soo. Unlike Ja-yoon or Ark 1, she wasn’t part of the Witch clone project—she’s a highly skilled assassin with Dissociative Identity Disorder. And Jo Yoon-soo? Absolutely nails it. She seamlessly shifts between her different personas—her innocent girl self, her brother’s personality, and her final form as The Tyrant. The way she embodies these distinct identities makes her a worthy successor to Kim Da-mi and Shin Si-ah in the Witch universe. Her transformation into The Tyrant is both terrifying and fascinating, leaving us wondering just how she’ll factor into The Witch: Part 3.
The action is, of course, a highlight. The cinematography is stunning, with wide shots showcasing the intensity of each battle, and the fight choreography is still on brand with the franchise. While the gore has been toned down (likely due to this being a Disney+ release), it doesn’t take away from the high-stakes brutality that defines this universe. Every gunfight, chase scene, and melee battle feels tight and personal, keeping the adrenaline pumping from start to finish. The budget might be lower than the films, but the execution still looks premium.
Another standout is Kim Seon-ho as Director Choi, a complete departure from the roles he’s known for in standard K-dramas. His cold, calculating performance keeps you guessing about his true motives the entire time. Meanwhile, Cha Seung-won’s Lim Sang brings a different kind of energy—a weary, deadly ex-agent who just wants to clean up this mess. And let’s not forget Kim Kang-woo as Paul, the CIA operative who is equally determined to secure the last Tyrant sample. The way these three men collide and manipulate each other makes for an engaging game of cat and mouse.
Now, while the drama delivers on action and performances, the plot itself is fairly simplistic. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, it just gives us a fast-paced chase where everyone’s after the same thing. And while that’s fine for a side story, it doesn’t necessarily add much depth to the Witch universe. If you’re hoping for deeper world-building about the origins of the Tyrant program or how it connects to the broader narrative, you might leave with more questions than answers.
Another issue is the sheer number of side characters. Much like The Witch: Part 2, The Tyrant introduces too many players with too little development. There’s no proper explanation of what the organization behind The Tyrant actually is—only vague mentions of it having branches in China and the U.S. Even Director Choi’s motivation to create The Tyrant is briefly mentioned once and then never expanded upon. The focus is so much on securing The Tyrant that the “why” behind everything gets lost.
And then, of course, we have the cliffhanger ending. If you were hoping for The Tyrant to provide concrete answers, you won’t find them here. Instead, the drama clearly sets up future projects, leaving some key elements—like Chae Ja-gyeong’s full backstory—entirely unexplored. This could be fine if you’re invested in the Witch universe, but if you’re just a casual viewer, it might feel unfinished.
Final verdict? The Tyrant is a solid, action-packed side story that does its job—keeping fans engaged while we wait for The Witch: Part 3. The stellar cast, brutal fight sequences, and intense pacing make it a fun watch, but it doesn’t truly expand the universe the way we might have hoped. That said, Jo Yoon-soo absolutely kills it as the new FL, and if her role as The Tyrant plays into the next film, she could become one of the most interesting characters in the series.
If you’re deeply invested in The Witch universe, it’s worth the watch. If you’re just here for great action and don’t mind an open-ended narrative, you’ll have fun. But if you’re looking for major story revelations? You won’t miss much by skipping it.
Final Score: 7/10—entertaining, but more of a stepping stone than a must-watch.
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