NetflixNetflix is ready to “sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultraviolence” with its new movie Demon City, a blood-soaked live-action manga adaptation that’s said to be perfect for John Wick fans.
The streaming service has been doubling down on its anime and manga library in recent years, with certified classics like One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender getting the live-action treatment.
Beyond anime adaptations, Netflix has also carved out a niche for itself in the world of action movies. Rebel Ridge, Carry-On, The Killer are just a few examples of the streamer’s recent efforts to deliver high-octane thrills.
Now, Demon City is stepping into the ring, combining both of these strengths into one hyper-violent package, making it one that’s well worth adding to the watchlist.
Netflix delivers bloody revenge thriller with Demon City
Adapted from Masamichi Kawabe’s manga series Oni Goroshi, Dead City has everything you could want in an action thriller movie: an ex hitman seeking vengeance, criminals in creepy demonic masks, chaotic fight scenes, and plenty of blood.
The story itself centers on Sakata, a former Yakuza hitman who has one last job to finish before retiring and living a peaceful life with his wife and daughter. However, a mysterious criminal organization named Kimen-gumi murder his family and leave Sakata for dead.
Years later, he awakes from his coma and sets out on a relentless mission to seek revenge on those who destroyed his life. As the synopsis states, “Killing isn’t enough when there’s hell to pay.”
Demon City is directed by Melancholic filmmaker Seiji Tanaka, starring Toma Ikuta as our lead character, Sakata. Other cast members include Masahiro Higashide, Miou Tanaka, and Ami Toma.
Since landing on Netflix on February 27, the new movie has received plenty of praise from fans. Taking to X/Twitter, one wrote, “More heat coming this year on Netflix; Japanese hitman revenge action burner Demon City.
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“(Relatively) lo-fi international action like this is the main reason I still have Netflix. Superheroes and dinosaurs are cool, but this stuff really gets me going.”
“I watched this movie on Netflix! It was so good! It’s so violence movie but I love it,” said another, while a third added, “Demon City on Netflix was a really good movie! Great action all throughout and good redemption story.”
The only downside is the film doesn’t exactly break the mold or offer too much in the way of emotional depth. But if you’re looking for a stylish, action-packed revenge thriller with brutal fight scenes, Demon City more than delivers.
Be sure to also check out the new movies heading to cinemas this month, the best films of 2025 so far, and our rundown of the best movies ever made.
