Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- propulsive
- intense
- somber
- action movie night
- martial arts double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's vigorous sword choreography and genre craftsmanship, despite its familiar historical-action framework.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film is identified as a sageuk and places sword combat within the Joseon Dynasty and its conflict with Qing forces.
Tae Yul searches for his daughter after losing one of his eyes, making disability and perseverance central to his character arc.
Tae Yul, Min Seung Ho, and Gurutai are each established as elite swordsmen pursuing different aims.
Min Seung Ho withdraws from the pursuit of power, while Gurutai seeks supremacy beyond the Qing Dynasty.
Films like The Swordsman, and why
The Admiral: Roaring Currents
historical martial arts action, master swordsmen, and emotionally direct revenge-driven conflict
The Fortress
stylized sword combat, period political tension, and rival warriors navigating shifting power
Shadow
kinetic east asian action choreography centered on elite fighters and personal loyalty
Movie Details
- Director
- Choi Jae-hoon
- Release Date
- 2020-09-23
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (300)
Cast
- Jang Hyuk
- Kim Hyeon-soo
- Joe Taslim
- Jeong Man-sik
- Jang Hyun-sung
- Lee Na-kyeong
- Lee Min-hyuk
- Choi Jin-ho
- Ji Seung-hyun
- Ji Gun-woo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Hi-YAH, ViX Premium Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Swordsman about?
- A wounded Joseon swordsman battles formidable rivals and political forces to rescue his daughter and reclaim his purpose.
- What is The Swordsman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Swordsman as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Swordsman violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Swordsman as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Swordsman?
- Critics broadly praised the film's vigorous sword choreography and genre craftsmanship, despite its familiar historical-action framework.
- Which films are like The Swordsman?
- Films with a similar feel include The Admiral: Roaring Currents, The Fortress, and Shadow.
- How long is The Swordsman?
- The Swordsman runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Swordsman?
- In United States, The Swordsman streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Hi-YAH, ViX Premium Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel.
