Demon City – Review | Netflix (2/5)

DEMON CITY on Netflix is a Japanese live-action adaptation of a comic book. But it’s also a bloody revenge thriller that lacks depth. Solid entertainment for fans of crazy action but nothing more. Read our full Demon City movie review here!

DEMON CITY is on Netflix, and maybe it’s just your thing. The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Demon City has finally arrived, bringing the gritty, blood-soaked pages of the Oni Goroshi comic to life.

Written and directed by Seiji Tanaka, known for his award-winning film Melancholic, this revenge-driven action thriller stars Toma Ikuta as the relentless hitman Shuhei Sakata.

While Demon City delivers brutal combat and stylish violence, it ultimately falls short in emotional depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.

Continue reading our Demon City movie review below. Find it on Netflix from February 27, 2025.

A Tale of Vengeance in the Shadows of Shinjo

Set in the crime-ridden city of Shinjo, Demon City follows hitman Shuhei Sakata, who is on the verge of leaving his violent past behind when tragedy strikes. His wife and daughter are murdered by the enigmatic Kimen-gumi organization. They even frame him for their deaths.

Surviving a gunshot to the head, Sakata spends twelve years in a vegetative state, only to wake up and find himself once again targeted by the same masked criminals.

With his instincts as a killer reawakened, he embarks on a brutal quest for revenge, uncovering dark secrets that threaten to reshape his destiny. And yes, it’s exactly as wild and violent as that sounds.

Action-Packed but Emotionally Hollow

If you’re looking for a deep, character-driven narrative, Demon City might not be the film for you. As a huge fan of South Korean productions that do deliver on this, this Japanese approach isn’t for me.

While its premise promises emotional stakes, the execution feels too shallow to truly invest in Sakata’s pain and rage. Also, the film moves at breakneck speed, prioritizing stylish combat over character development.

However, for fans of intense, blood-drenched action, Demon City delivers in spades. The fight choreography is slick, the cinematography captures the neon-lit underworld beautifully, and the tension in each battle scene is palpable.

Stylish but Lacking Substance

Director Seiji Tanaka, known for blending genres in Melancholic, keeps the film visually engaging but struggles to provide the same narrative depth.

Toma Ikuta gives a strong performance as the vengeful hitman, but the script doesn’t allow much room for emotional nuance.

The supporting cast, featuring Matsuya Onoe, Masahiro Higashide, Masanobu Takashima, and Mio Tanaka, bring an eerie presence to their masked antagonist roles, but their characters remain largely one-dimensional.

While Demon City may not offer the most compelling emotional journey, it compensates with relentless action, brutal fight sequences, and a visually striking neo-noir aesthetic.

If you’re in the mood for a straightforward revenge thriller filled with stylish violence, this film is worth checking out.

Catch Demon City, streaming exclusively on Netflix starting February 27, 2025.

Details

Director: Seiji Tanaka
Writer: Seiji Tanaka
Stars: Toma Ikuta, Matsuya Onoe, Masahiro Higashide, Masanobu Takashima, Mio Tanaka