Is Netflix’s “Demon City” a Bad Movie? My Verdict After Watching It Twice in One Day

Movies

What is the Netflix movie “Demon City”?

The Netflix original film Demon City is an action movie that has gained attention for its intense violence and revenge-driven storyline. Directed by the rising filmmaker Seiji Tanaka, the film is based on the manga Oni-Goroshi by Msamichi Kawabe, a hard-boiled series spanning 16 volumes. The manga began serialization in 2020 and concluded in 2024.

Upon its release, the film quickly climbed Netflix’s rankings and sparked discussions on social media. Viewers praised its powerful action sequences and the protagonist’s stoic demeanor, which was seen as an appealing trait. However, the film also received criticism for its seemingly simplistic plot and lack of in-depth character development, making it a polarizing work.

This article will provide a detailed analysis of the movie’s reception on review sites and social media, the differences from the original manga, its performance both domestically and internationally, and an in-depth look at director Seiji Tanaka’s career and filmmaking style.

Reception of Demon City

So far, the film’s reception has been less than stellar. On Filmarks, it holds a rating of 3.1 out of 5, which is quite low considering that films scoring in the high 3s are generally considered well-received.

On Eiga.com, the reviews are even harsher, with many users heavily criticizing the film.

Internationally, the movie has a 5.4 out of 10 rating on IMDb, indicating a lukewarm response. Interestingly, Indian viewers seem to have rated it more favorably, with around 20% giving it a perfect 10, though the majority of users tend to rate it around 5 or 6.

(These ratings are as of the time of writing.)

Positive Reception

The aspects of Demon City that received the most praise were its stylish action sequences and the commanding presence of the lead actor.

Intense Action Sequences

One of the film’s standout features is its brutal and visually striking action scenes. The protagonist’s fight sequences, where he single-handedly takes on waves of enemies, have drawn comparisons to John Wick—though some critics dismiss it as a “low-budget Japanese version” of the franchise. The combat isn’t limited to firearms; the protagonist utilizes blades, chains, heavy machinery, and other unconventional weapons, adding to the film’s dynamic and gripping nature.

Minimal Dialogue, Maximum Impact

The protagonist speaks very little, relying instead on subtle expressions and restrained body language to convey his emotions. Many viewers appreciated this understated approach, noting that it created a sense of “silent intensity.” His cold, calculated demeanor as he eliminates enemies one by one was described as captivating, with some saying that his quiet presence added to his mystique.

Fusion of Visuals and Music

The film’s soundtrack and sound design also received high praise. The tense background music enhances the suspense, while the somber melodies in flashback scenes provide emotional depth. During action sequences, harsh, noise-infused soundscapes create an intense and immersive experience. Many viewers on social media commented that the sound design heightened the film’s impact, making it a gripping watch from start to finish.

Negative Reception

Despite its strengths, Demon City has also received considerable criticism, particularly regarding its story and character development.

Repetitive and Shallow Storyline

While the core premise of a lone warrior taking down waves of enemies is simple and easy to follow, many viewers felt that the film lacked depth. With minimal background exposition, there is little insight into the protagonist’s growth or emotional journey leading up to his quest for revenge. Some felt that this made the story one-dimensional and emotionally hollow.

Lack of Character Depth

Although the film introduces a variety of side characters, many of them are underdeveloped and disappear too quickly. As a result, critics have argued that potentially compelling characters are wasted, and the villains lack charisma, making their confrontations less impactful.

Disappointment Among Manga Fans

Fans of the original manga Oni-Goroshi were particularly disappointed by the drastic omissions and changes in the film adaptation. The manga’s philosophical dialogue and deep character drama were largely stripped away, leading to complaints such as “They cut out the best quotes” and “Key characters were killed off too quickly”. This disconnect between the film and its source material has fueled frustration among longtime fans.

Differences Between the Movie and the Original Manga Oni-Goroshi

Kawabe’s manga Oni-Goroshi is a hard-boiled series spanning 16 volumes, highly praised for its intricate storytelling and character depth. However, in adapting it into a two-hour film, many elements were drastically condensed or altered. Below are some of the key differences, as pointed out by fans.

Condensed Storyline

In the original manga, the protagonist gradually recovers his lost memories, uncovering the motivations behind his revenge and his connection to his lost family. The film, however, compresses this development into just a few brief moments, making it harder to grasp the depth of his emotions. Some viewers felt that this made his sudden combat skills and motivations feel unclear.

Lack of Depth in the Villainous Organization

The manga features a mysterious group called “Kimen-gumi” (Demon Mask Gang), with various charismatic villains, including a boss and strategic masterminds. However, due to time constraints, the film eliminates much of their development, reducing them to disposable enemies. Many fans wished the antagonists had been given more screen time and impactful moments.

Removal of Iconic Dialogue

Kawabe’s manga is known for its powerful and philosophical dialogue, often delivered during intense emotional peaks. However, since the protagonist in the film is extremely reserved, many of these memorable lines were cut entirely. Some fans felt that this weakened the dramatic impact of key scenes.

Fan Reactions to the Changes

Naturally, the more invested a fan is in the original manga, the more likely they are to feel uneasy about the changes in the adaptation. However, some appreciated the film’s fast-paced narrative and the intense action sequences that only a live-action adaptation could deliver. Some viewers expressed satisfaction simply at seeing their favorite scenes brought to life in live-action.

Director Seiji Tanaka acknowledged in interviews that these changes were necessary for the film format. He also deliberately toned down the manga’s explicit violence and sexual content, which some viewers (including the writer of this article) actually appreciated.

Netflix映画『Demon City 鬼ゴロシ』田中征爾監督インタビュー「生田さんと松也さんは骨の髄まで極まっているパフォーマー」 ｜ ガジェット通信 GetNews

Performance in Japan and Overseas

Demon City was released worldwide on February 27, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. In Japan, it debuted at #1 on the “Today’s Top 10 Movies” chart and has maintained its top position as of March 3. Many social media users mentioned watching the film simply because “it appeared as soon as they opened Netflix” or “it caught their attention after reaching #1 in the rankings.”

Internationally, the film performed particularly well in Asia and the Middle East, where intense action movies tend to attract strong audiences. Many regions saw the film break into their respective Top 10 charts, indicating a widespread interest in its brutal action and survival themes.

Additionally, Demon City secured the #1 spot on Netflix’s global non-English film rankings, achieving the highest number of views worldwide.

Critics have given mixed reviews, but as with many entertainment films, polarizing opinions often generate more buzz. Some viewers described it as a “mindless action film” with little social commentary, while others, especially overseas fans, appreciated its worldbuilding and stylistic direction.

Overall, Demon City can be considered a successful streaming release, as it managed to spark discussions and gain widespread attention despite its divisive reception.

Director: Seiji Tanaka – Background and Style

Director Seiji Tanaka (born 1987) is an emerging filmmaker from the indie film scene. His feature-length debut, Melancholic (2018), was highly praised for its unique premise—a bathhouse that secretly operates as a front for hitmen—and its skillful blend of black humor and crime drama.

Melancholic (2018) Official Trailer [HD]

Following this, his original screenplay film, The Man Who Failed to Die (2025), was released in Japan and received favorable reviews. Known for storytelling that gently moves between reality and fantasy, he is expected to continue making significant contributions in the future.

Distinctive Directorial Style

［Official_Trailer］The Man Who Failed to Die／死に損なった男

Tanaka is known for inserting sudden bursts of violence and fear into seemingly ordinary settings. While his films often feature graphic action, he has a knack for presenting characters’ emotions and behaviors in a darkly comedic or surreal manner.

With Demon City, audiences were curious to see how Tanaka would infuse his signature style into an adaptation. The result was a film that minimized dialogue, instead relying on visual storytelling and sound design to convey the protagonist’s emotions—a hallmark of Tanaka’s filmmaking approach.

He rewrote the script three times. In the initial draft, the protagonist was almost completely silent, as the director felt that excessive dialogue wasn’t necessary for a man driven purely by revenge.

However, after much trial and error, he decided to increase the protagonist’s lines. But when lead actor Toma Ikuta read the revised script, he commented, “I think I liked the original version better.” That feedback led the director to realize that stripping the dialogue down to its bare minimum was the right approach after all.

田中征爾 – Wikipedia

Personal Review of Demon City

Before watching Demon City, I had some reservations. Given that it’s a live-action adaptation of a manga, I expected it to feel somewhat unrealistic or follow predictable tropes. After watching it once, my initial impression didn’t change significantly—I still felt it had a strong fictional feel. However, the action sequences were enjoyable, and I could understand why it reached the top of Netflix’s rankings.

But then, on the same day, I had the opportunity to watch it again, and that completely changed my perception. The first time, I was in a critical mindset, looking for plot holes and inconsistencies. The second time, I embraced the film’s fictionality and focused on the action and visual impact, which made the experience much more enjoyable.

For example, some of the over-the-top action sequences might seem ridiculous if viewed with a realism-focused mindset. But when I let go of that expectation, I found myself appreciating the absurdity—almost laughing at certain moments, yet still admiring the intensity. Whether this was an intentional choice by the director and actors is unclear, but it added to the film’s unique charm for me.

Standout Moments

One of the most visually striking scenes was the home invasion by the Kimen-gumi (Demon Mask Gang)—five eerie figures wearing masks of a Hannya, a Tengu, an Inari, an Okina, and a Ikkaku. In the manga, they already had a menacing presence, but seeing them in live-action made them even more unsettling. The high-quality masks played a crucial role in maintaining the film’s dark atmosphere—if they had looked cheap, it could have ruined the entire aesthetic.

Another highlight was Fushi, the antagonist played by Masahiro Higashide. Though he didn’t have much screen time, his twisted and unsettling presence left a lasting impression. I wished the character had been explored more, but perhaps due to runtime constraints, his backstory and motivations remained shallow.

The staircase fight sequence was another thrilling moment. The protagonist keeps climbing while fighting waves of enemies, only to be knocked down and forced to start over. The way the scene was shot made it incredibly engaging—I actually wanted it to last longer. Of course, the unrealistic endurance of the protagonist crossed my mind (how is he still fighting after all those injuries?), but at some point, I realized that’s part of the fun.

Critiques

One aspect that didn’t fully resonate with me was the music, particularly Tomoyasu Hotei’s guitar-heavy soundtrack. While I understand that the emotional guitar melodies were meant to underscore the protagonist’s sorrow, they sometimes felt a bit excessive. That said, I did see people on social media praising the soundtrack, so it’s clearly a matter of personal preference.

The ending also received mixed reactions, but on my second viewing, I actually appreciated it more. At first, I felt it lacked impact, but later, I saw its straightforwardness as a strength—it didn’t try to force unnecessary philosophical depth or a dramatic twist. Instead, it ended cleanly and decisively, which gave it a refreshing sense of closure.

Final Thoughts

While I wouldn’t call Demon City a masterpiece, it’s an entertaining action film that succeeds in what it sets out to do. If I were to recommend it to someone, I’d say:

✅ Watch it if you love action movies. It’s fun and intense, with some truly impressive sequences.
❌ Skip it if you prefer deep, dialogue-heavy storytelling or realistic narratives.

Among recent live-action adaptations of manga, this is probably one of the better ones I’ve seen. Many manga adaptations fail due to overacting, unrealistic costumes, or forced emotional outbursts, but Demon City avoided those pitfalls. Comparing it to Rurouni Kenshin, I’d say the action quality is on par, which is high praise given Kenshin’s reputation for live-action combat.

Ultimately, the film’s greatest strength lies in its rewatchability—the fact that my opinion improved on a second viewing suggests that it has layers of enjoyment beyond the initial impression.

And after all, the protagonist is a demon consumed by vengeance, so it makes sense that his inhuman strength and relentless drive push the limits of reality. If you didn’t enjoy it the first time, I’d suggest trying again with a different mindset—you might discover a new appreciation for its stylized action and unique atmosphere.

Conclusion

Demon City is a Netflix original action film that has sparked significant discussion both in Japan and internationally. While its stylish action sequences and the commanding presence of its lead actors have received praise, criticisms have been directed at its simple storyline, lack of deep character development, and deviations from the original manga.

However, the very existence of divided opinions has only increased the film’s impact and visibility. It has secured high rankings on Netflix’s viewership charts and has found a solid audience overseas. If you enjoy high-energy battle sequences, revenge-driven narratives, or are curious about director Seiji Tanaka’s unique style, this film is definitely worth a watch.

If you haven’t seen it yet, consider checking it out on Netflix. Immerse yourself in its intense action and raw emotions—how will you interpret the madness of this “demon”?

Demon City | Official Trailer | Netflix

Comment

Copied title and URL