Project Wolf Hunting: A Bloody, Genre-Bending Voyage
A group of hardened criminals is being transported from the Philippines to Korea on a cargo ship, under the watchful eyes of a team of highly trained special forces. Unbeknownst to most, a secret logistical mission is hidden within the ship’s hold. The true cargo is a deadly mutant, created in a laboratory in 1943, and ready to annihilate anyone in its path.
Seo In-guk as Park in “Project Wolf Hunting”
One can only attribute the Korean film industry’s relentless output to an unprecedented surge of creativity. Korean filmmakers are confidently navigating genres once dominated by Hollywood, borrowing the best elements, creating bizarre hybrids, and mastering the art of appealing to international audiences. “Project Wolf Hunting” (originally titled “Wolf Hunt,” a more straightforward name) is a cinematic Frankenstein’s monster, stitched together from various parts, much like the mutated man at the center of the story.
From Action Thriller to Horror Show
The film starts as a high-octane action movie in the vein of “Con Air.” The prisoners break free, seize control of the ship, and eliminate the elite guards. The characters are a collection of the worst of the worst: extremely dangerous, tattooed, and prone to excessive violence (Seo In-guk deserves special mention for his role as a brutal killer). However, the film takes a sharp, albeit predictable, turn, transforming into a horror film where an invincible monster from the past slaughters anyone who miraculously survived the initial chaos.
Jung So-min as Lee in “Project Wolf Hunting”
Director Kim Hong-sun utilizes the full expressive power of Korean gore. The mutant crushes heads underfoot, flooding the deck with geysers of blood, turning living flesh into lifeless matter with a single swipe, and sharp objects continue the grammar of the horror carnival. Of course, this doesn’t add much to the plot. We’ve already learned from other Korean films that humans apparently have 15 liters of blood, not just 5. Beyond the gruesome spectacle, the filmmakers leave little room for inventive maneuvering. The claustrophobia of the ship confines the plot to repetitive chases through tight spaces.
Jung So-min as Lee in “Project Wolf Hunting”
Lack of Character Development
The creators don’t seem particularly concerned with character development. They casually eliminate characters as the runtime progresses. This functional approach is somewhat justified – bodies wielding weapons and knives are just fodder for the Asian “Frankenstein’s” heavy foot. Amidst this chaotic and bloody mess, there’s one genuinely amusing moment: a flashback to 1943, when underground World War II experiments unleashed evil upon the world. The monster’s origin scene feels like a blend of audacious exploitation and the superhero origin story of Wolverine.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, “Project Wolf Hunting” is two hours of extreme carnage, with a minimal plot and seemingly reveling in its own barbaric aesthetic. It’s two films in one, but with a losing combination: the ship hijacking lacks drive, and the monster horror lacks a sense of restraint.