Queen Mantis (사마귀: 살인자의 외출) is an intense and dark psychological crime thriller, a remake of the French hit La Mante. The story follows Jung Yi-shin (masterfully portrayed by Go Hyun-jung), a notorious killer known as “The Mantis,” who was convicted for brutally murdering five men. Decades later, a series of crimes with Yi-shin’s same modus operandi forces the police to seek her help in catching the “copycat killer.”
Yi-shin’s condition for cooperation is simple yet devastating: she will only speak to Detective Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon), who happens to be her son, a man who has spent his entire life hating and rejecting his mother. The plot unfolds into a tense psychological game between mother and son as they hunt down a new killer while unearthing old traumas.
Veteran actress Go Hyun-jung delivers one of the year’s most memorable and chilling performances. Her Jung Yi-shin is calm, controlling, and enigmatic. The scenes where she describes her crimes with cold, sadistic pleasure are the centerpiece of the series, constantly heightening the tension.
At the heart of the drama lies the twisted relationship between mother and son. The series explores Cha Soo-yeol’s deep inner conflict as he is forced to work with the very person who ruined his life, all while battling the fear of inheriting her darkness. This love-hate dynamic is intense and profoundly captivating.
Queen Mantis is not for everyone. It is a raw thriller with a grim atmosphere. The series sustains a high level of suspense, filled with unexpected twists and a strong focus on the psychological aspects of crime. It also addresses very dark themes such as murder, abuse, and childhood trauma.
Queen Mantis is a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers and dark psychological dramas. If you’re looking for a story that dares to explore the blurry line between maternal love and criminal madness—while keeping you on the edge of your seat with an unforgettable lead—this is definitely the drama to watch.
Yi-shin’s condition for cooperation is simple yet devastating: she will only speak to Detective Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon), who happens to be her son, a man who has spent his entire life hating and rejecting his mother. The plot unfolds into a tense psychological game between mother and son as they hunt down a new killer while unearthing old traumas.
Veteran actress Go Hyun-jung delivers one of the year’s most memorable and chilling performances. Her Jung Yi-shin is calm, controlling, and enigmatic. The scenes where she describes her crimes with cold, sadistic pleasure are the centerpiece of the series, constantly heightening the tension.
At the heart of the drama lies the twisted relationship between mother and son. The series explores Cha Soo-yeol’s deep inner conflict as he is forced to work with the very person who ruined his life, all while battling the fear of inheriting her darkness. This love-hate dynamic is intense and profoundly captivating.
Queen Mantis is not for everyone. It is a raw thriller with a grim atmosphere. The series sustains a high level of suspense, filled with unexpected twists and a strong focus on the psychological aspects of crime. It also addresses very dark themes such as murder, abuse, and childhood trauma.
Queen Mantis is a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers and dark psychological dramas. If you’re looking for a story that dares to explore the blurry line between maternal love and criminal madness—while keeping you on the edge of your seat with an unforgettable lead—this is definitely the drama to watch.
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