Project Wolf Hunting

Project Wolf Hunting (Korean: 늑대사냥; Hanja: Neukdaesanyang; lit. Wolf Hunt) is a 2022 South Korean science fiction action thriller film directed by Kim Hong-sun, starring Seo In-guk and Jang Dong-yoon. The film takes place on a cargo ship used to transport dangerous criminals from Manila, Philippines to Busan, South Korea. It premiered in the Midnight Madness section at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2022, and was released in South Korean theaters on September 21, 2022.

Project Wolf Hunting
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
늑대사냥
Literal meaningProject Wolf Hunt
Revised RomanizationNeukdaesanyang
Directed byKim Hong-seon
Screenplay byKim Hong-seon
Starring
CinematographyYoon Ju-hwan
Edited byShin Min-kyung
Lee Ga-ram
Music byKim Jun-sung
Jo Ran
Production
companies
Contents G
Cheum Film
Distributed byThe Contents ON
Release dates
  • September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16) (Toronto)
  • September 21, 2022 (2022-09-21) (South Korea)
Running time
112 minutes[1]
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Budget
  • ₩12 billion[2]
  • (est. $9.1 million)
Box office$3.9 million[3][4]

Synopsis

The film opens with the extraction of a group of Korean criminals from the Philippines, which turns chaotic when an elderly man detonates a bomb. Five years later, a similar group of criminals is transported via cargo ship to Korea to prevent a repeat of the previous incident.

Onboard the ship, law enforcement led by Park Jong-doo confronts the criminals. A confrontation with Lee Do-il (Tattoo), a tattooed criminal, escalates into violence, triggering a brutal beating. Meanwhile, a Lee Seok-woo (a doctor )aboard the ship raises suspicions.

Chaos ensues as the ship sets sail. Shady and his men, under Tattoo's control, launch a violent spree, while Tattoo's gang manipulates their way to freedom.

A series of brutal killings reveals the presence of Alpha, a superhuman with extraordinary strength and resilience. Alpha's origin is linked to disturbing experiments during World War II. Tattoo's gang tries to escape Alpha's wrath but faces annihilation.

Alpha goes on a relentless rampage, confronting Park Jong-doo and his team. A fierce battle ensues, resulting in Cop Leader's demise.

The film delves into Alpha's history, revealing his transformation due to inhumane experiments. Alpha pursues Lee Da-yeon and Go Kun-bae in a tense showdown.

In the climax, Kyung-ho (Commander) arrives, revealing his superhuman strength and history with Lee. A battle between Lee and Kyung-ho ensues. Alpha confronts super soldiers brought by Commander. A final confrontation unfolds between Lee and Commander, with a shocking revelation about Commander's past actions. Meanwhile, the Doctor attempts to escape but faces dire consequences.

The film concludes with Lee's victory over Commander, symbolizing a fresh start as he ventures into the wilderness.

Cast

Production

On April 14, 2022, it was reported that the filming had ended.[16]

Release

The film had its world premiere in the Midnight Madness section at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2022.[17] It was released in South Korean theaters on September 21, 2022[3][4] by The Contents On,[17] and had a limited release in North America by Well Go USA Entertainment on October 7.[3][4][18][17] Finecut acquired international distribution rights for the film.[19] The film's rights were sold in 41 countries.[20] It was released on VOD by Well Go USA Video on May 31, 2023.[3]

Reception

Box office

Project Wolf Hunting grossed $20,541 in North America, and $3.8 million in other territories for a total worldwide of $3.9 million,[4][3] against a production budget of about $9.1 million.[2]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 88% based on 49 reviews and an average rating of 7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Project Wolf Hunting's slight story takes a back seat to all the action -- and for fans of all-out cinematic mayhem, that's exactly as it should be."[18] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 53 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[21]

Accolades
Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards 2023 Best New Actor Seo In-guk Nominated [22]
Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival 2022 Special Jury Award Kim Hong-sun Won [23][24]
Best special, visual or makeup effects Project Wolf Hunting Won
The 6th Canary Islands Fantastic Film Festival Ciudad de La Laguna, Isla Calavera 2022 Best Feature Film Won [25]

References
  1. "Project Wolf Hunting". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  2. Jeon Hyeong-hwa (February 22, 2021). "[단독]서인국·장동윤·최귀화·성동일 등 120억 SF액션스릴러 '늑대사냥' 호흡 [종합]" [[Exclusive] Breath of 12 billion sci-fi action thriller 'Wolf Hunt' including Seo In-guk, Jang Dong-yoon, Choi Gwi-hwa, and Sung Dong-il [Comprehensive]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  3. "neukdaesanyang (늑대사냥) (2022)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  4. "Project Wolf Hunting (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  5. "Project Wolf Hunting (2022) - Cast and Crew". Box Office Mojo. IMDbPro. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. Jo Ji-young (August 29, 2022). "늑대사냥' 장동윤 "시나리오 볼 때부터 궁금하고 매력적으로 느꼈다" [Wolf Hunt' Jang Dong-yoon "I felt curious and attractive from the moment I saw the scenario] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Naver.
  7. Jeong Hee-yeon (August 11, 2022). "서인국 전신 문신에 피칠갑…'늑대사냥' 스틸 공개" [Seo In-guk's full body tattoo is bloody... 'Wolf Hunt' stills released] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved August 11, 2022 – via Naver.
  8. Kim Hyun-rok (August 29, 2022). "인간 스스로 먹잇감이 되다" '늑대사냥' 범죄자들 VS 경찰들 단체 캐릭터 포스터" [Humans themselves become prey" 'Wolf Hunt' Criminals VS Police Group Character Poster] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Naver.
  9. Lee Seung-mi (September 1, 2022). "늑대사냥' 서인국부터 장동윤까지…10人 캐릭터 예고편 공개" [From ‘Wolf Hunt’ Seo In-guk to Jang Dong-yoon... 10-person character trailer released] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved September 1, 2022 – via Naver.
  10. Yang Yu-jin (September 30, 2022). "늑대사냥' 손종학X이성욱X홍지윤X정문성, 화제의 4인 4색 신스틸러" [Wolf Hunt’ Son Jong-hak X Lee Seong-wook X Hong Ji-yoon X Jung Moon-seong, the topical four-person four-color scene stealer] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved September 30, 2022 – via Naver.
  11. "'늑대사냥' 한국에서 이런 영화가? 클리셰 처참히 깨는 충격의 청불 (종합)". Osen. October 6, 2022.
  12. Yang Yu-jin (October 5, 2022). "늑대사냥' 초록티 누구?…권수현, 강렬 존재감으로 눈도장" [Wolf Hunt' Green Tea Who?... Kwon Soo-hyun paints eyes with intense presence] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via Naver.
  13. Choi Yun-na (September 8, 2022). "정성일, 영화 '늑대사냥' 출연…"김홍선 감독님과 세 번째 호흡"" [Jung Sung-il to appear in the movie 'Wolf Hunt'... "The third breath with director Kim Hong-sun"] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved September 8, 2022 – via Naver.
  14. Jo Tae-young (September 20, 2022). "김강훈, '늑대사냥' 시사회 참석…"영화는 못 봄" 왜?". Edaily (in Korean). Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  15. Kim Na-yeon (March 22, 2022). "장동윤X오대환 주연 범죄 스릴러 '애프터', 28일 크랭크인 [공식]" [[Official] Crime thriller 'After' starring Dongyoon Jang and Daehwan Oh] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Naver.
  16. Kim Bo-ra (April 14, 2022). "서인국x장동윤 '늑대사냥' 크랭크업…하반기 개봉 준비[공식]" [Seo In-guk x Jang Dong-yoon crank up 'Wolf Hunt'... Preparation for release in the second half [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved August 3, 2022 – via Naver.
  17. Michael Rosser (September 7, 2022). "Korean thriller 'Project Wolf Hunting' scores sales ahead of TIFF premiere". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  18. "Project Wolf Hunting". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. Patrick Frater (October 7, 2021). "Finecut Launching Hardboiled Actioner 'Project Wolf Hunting' at Busan Market". Variety. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  20. Lee Mi-ji (September 7, 2022). "서인국 '늑대사냥' 해외 41개국 선판매..영화제들 초청 이어 글로벌 존재감(공식)" [Seo In-guk's 'Wolf Hunt' pre-sold in 41 overseas countries... Global presence following invitations to film festivals (official)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Naver.
  21. "Project Wolf Hunting". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  22. Cho Yeon-kyung (April 7, 2023). "제59회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 최종 후보 공개" [59th Baeksang Arts Awards, TV/Film/Play Finalists Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  23. "'Project Wolf Hunting' wins two awards at Spain's Sitges Film Festival". The Korea Times. October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  24. "AWARD WINNERS 55th Edition SITGES - Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya". sitgesfilmfestival.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  25. "'Project Wolf Hunting', Best Film Award at the Isla Calavera Festival". Tenerife Weekly News. November 26, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
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