The Old Woman With The Knife, a South Korean thriller directed by Min Kyu-dong (of All About My Wife fame), is set to open in theaters across the United States and Canada next Friday, May 16th. This isn’t your typical guns-blazing affair; the film centres on Hornclaw, a veteran assassin grappling with the emergence of a younger, ruthless killer whose arrival stirs up a long-buried past.
The film has already made waves on the international circuit, premiering at the prestigious 75th Berlin International Film Festival as part of the Berlinale Special program. It also snagged official selections at both the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2025 and the Beijing International Film Festival 2025, suggesting a picture with both artistic merit and genre thrills.
As the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival noted, “Director MIN Kyu-dong delivers a visually dazzling thriller with a deadly old woman played by the mesmerizing Lee Hye-young, who rivals John Wick in intensity.”
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What makes The Old Woman With The Knife particularly noteworthy is its “distinctive female perspective.” The film promises a rare look at the action genre through a woman’s eyes, exploring themes of aging, the weight of violence, and resilience. This isn’t just about slick fight choreography; it’s about the human cost and the passage of time for someone in this deadly profession.
Leading the charge is the formidable Lee Hye-young, celebrated for her performances in films like In Front of Your Face and The Novelist’s Film. She’s joined by a strong supporting cast including Kim Sung-cheol (Our Beloved Summer), Yeon Woo-jin (Daily Dose of Sunshine), and Kim Moo-yul (The Roundup: Punishment). Director Min Kyu-dong praised his ensemble, stating, “Like a puzzle that can’t be complete without a single piece,” highlighting how each actor embodies their role to perfection.
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The Old Woman With The Knife is adapted from the novel of the same name by Gu Byeong-mo, the acclaimed author behind Apartment Women. The adaptation has already generated significant buzz, with the film’s synopsis hinting at a complex relationship between Hornclaw and her pursuer: “Aging assassin Hornclaw has seen it all, but she never expected to mentor a reckless rookie like Bullfight. As their unlikely bond deepens, cracks form in the underworld they navigate together. When Hornclaw discovers someone wants her dead, she’s thrust into a deadly game of deception.”
Director Min himself has a diverse filmography, spanning genres from horror to romance. With The Old Woman With The Knife, he aims to deliver an action drama that “deeply explores human emotions, centered on unique character settings and original action.” Based on the early reception, it looks like he might just have delivered. Keep your eyes peeled for this one hitting screens soon.
