The Man From Nowhere

2010

The Man From Nowhere

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 6

90%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 5,500

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Movie Info

A retired special agent forges an unlikely bond with his neglected young neighbor, and vows to bring the girl back home safely after she's kidnapped by violent criminals. When Tae-Shik hung up his guns to open a small pawn shop, he also shut himself off from the world. Tae-Shik prefers to live in solitude, yet he still takes a liking to his precocious neighbor So-mi, whose mother pay her little attention. When So-Mi's mother crosses a local gang of criminals who respond by kidnapping the desperate mother and daughter, Tae-Shik realizes that he may be their only hope of making it out of the situation alive. After entering into a tenuous agreement with the local mob, Tae-Shik becomes the target of an intense police manhunt and finds himself besieged on all sides. Now the closer Tae-Shik gets to So-Mi and her mother, the more his dark past finally begins coming into focus. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Cast

Bin Won
as Tae-sik
Kim Sae-ron
as So-mi
Hyo-seo Kim
Tae-Hoon Kim
as Kim Chi-gon
Hee-won Kim
as Man-seok
Kim Seong-oh
as Jong-seok
Jong-pil Lee (II)
as Detective No
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Critic Reviews for The Man From Nowhere

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (2)

  • Helmer Lee Jeong-beom shows a flair for action sequences, squeezing tension out of every fight scene choregraphed by Park Jung-ryul.

    Sep 6, 2012 | Full Review…

    Russell Edwards

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Yet more proof of the astonishing vigour and inventiveness of current Korean genre cinema.

    Sep 6, 2012 | Full Review…

    Tom Huddleston

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The Man From Nowhere is relatively solid throughout and despite its general lack of originality it is an entertaining and gripping film with assured direction and excellent central performances.

    Sep 6, 2012 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Craig Skinner

    HeyUGuys

  • South Korea may just be the most exciting place on the planet these days when it comes to stylish and violent thrillers.

    Sep 6, 2012 | Full Review…

    Rob Hunter

    Film School Rejects

  • The man might be from nowhere but this film could only come from Korea, the land of a million stories of revenge.

    Mar 29, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Matt Singer

    IFC.com

  • ... in the realm of humorless South Korean action conventions it's well constructed, suitably dark and dangerous and filled with well-honed, visceral scenes.

    Oct 7, 2010 | Full Review…

    Sean Axmaker

    Stream on Demand
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Audience Reviews for The Man From Nowhere

  • Jan 30, 2016
    Gritty and action packed film, reminded me a little of Leon. Great film and the cast are all well served by the creative teams. The ending was a little corny but after everything before it you can let it slide.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Nov 22, 2015
    With a magnetic leading man whose demeanor and look almost carries the film by itself combined with excellent cinematography (lighting sets a strong look and the camerawork is exciting and simple yet stylish), THE MAN FROM NOWHERE excels in areas that we expect it to (action, thriller, tenseness) and falters in areas that we hoped it would not but still does (cliche story, some caricature villains). The visual style in this Korean thriller is top-notch and truly elevates the film while a few lighthearted filmmaking moments provide enough comedic relief to add fun to what is otherwise a dreary premise - from the brilliant execution of our protagonist jumping out a window and landing in seemingly one shot, to the deft action and fight scenes that unravel in a no-bullshit manner, and to instances of very appreciable dialogue (most by our main villain) during moments where viewers are probably thinking the same thing (one example occurring during a car ride in which the villain is on the phone with our protagonist and calls out the moments of silences and the eventual hang-up - a fun strategy by director Lee Jeong-beom to diffuse overly dramatic tendencies). Won Bin is electrifying in his role - his performance is muted but painful while aided by sharp costume design that increases the presence (and coolness) of his character. It has its flaws and head-scratching moments, but overall, this film is a strong addition to South Korea's growing list of powerful and riveting revenge crime thrillers.
    Sheldon C Super Reviewer
  • Oct 29, 2015
    It's not the most original story, but it's still well made.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 09, 2015
    The Man from Nowhere supplies more than enough drama and bloody-good action to make for a compelling film but what really drives it home is its riveting direction. The film is able to display the emotional, vivacious and authentic storytelling that is a clear developing sign of Korean cinema. 4/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
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