The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

86% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings

A swordsman who is going blind is forced to raise his sword again to save his daughter, who has been kidnapped by a slave dealer.

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The Swordsman

Critics Reviews

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The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Tara Brady Irish Times In common with much of the wuxia fare that makes its way to this part of the world, the aesthetic owes a debt to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the films of King Hu. Rated: 3/5 May 15, 2021 Full Review The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Leslie Felperin Guardian The film never feels bogged down with explication and moves swiftly through its 100 minutes. Rated: 4/5 May 12, 2021 Full Review The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Daryl MacDonald InSession Film The Swordsman is a beautiful mix of stunning choreography, impressive martial arts work, and attention to period detail that keeps you in the moment. Rated: B+ Apr 26, 2024 Full Review The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Chris Mello In Review Online [The Swordsman is] rendered almost wholly ineffective by weak, unintuitive direction and an edit that doesn't know how to show the profound abilities of the film's performers. Jun 6, 2021 Full Review The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Kelechi Ehenulo FILMHOUNDS Magazine Sure, there are better films out there that have accomplished more than what The Swordsman provides. But at one hour and forty minutes, it's a breezy satisfaction for the senses. Rated: 4/5 May 25, 2021 Full Review The Swordsman (2020) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia A classic tale of a man having to face the demons of his past in order to save the one he loves. May 17, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gaming N joe taslim the goat no cap Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review Marc Z This is a Phenomenal Martial Arts Movie based in part on the political and military struggles around the time of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. While it is all that it is more significantly the personal story of a gifted Swordsman trying to live his life quietly, and raise his daughter, as he goes blind. However, in true martial arts movie fashion he gets dragged in to the fight to save his daughter. The acting and Direction are great. The fight and weapon choreography as good as you will see. The cinematography is great. This is an instant classic. I can't believe I never saw this earlier. Jang Hyun is great in the lead. Joe Taslim night be one of the top martial arts movie and action stars in the world. He is great in this. This is from Well Go USA and in Korean with English subtitles. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/07/23 Full Review isla s This is a gritty film set in the Ming-Qing dynasty. There isn't too much action at the start of the film but there's plenty once the pace quickens, perhaps half way, or just after half way, through. I liked the whole film as I felt the start did ok at highlighting the cultural context of the film. There are some nice landscape shots - the cinematography certainly isn't bad. The film does become really quite bloody once the sword based fighting/battles commence, which is to be expected, given the films rating (15) and the title alone. The story is somewhat compelling - a young daughter wanting to help her father see again - who couldn't feel for her in that position?.The choreography of the fight scenes is quick and frantic - its pretty engrossing, if your ok with the somewhat high quantity of bloody injury depicted, if in passing. The fighting becomes somewhat relentless in the last quarter of the film, it's fair to say.Also, I've just read that this film is apparently based on true historical events. If so, that makes this film even more compelling.I felt there's something a little tacky and uncomfortable about how some of the female characters are treated and some plot details - some aspects aren't entirely believable but its still an interesting and fairly engrossing film and I'd still recommend it regardless, as the plot is interesting and the fight scenes quite well done. I suppose, at the heart of it, it's a film about masculinity and showmanship - duelling in a show of defiance of sorts. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member very good tho it has a bit of a slow start the ending sorta makes up for it Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Great asian movie, slowish build but definitely worth the action. Common plot but well done. Improvements could've been more development in side characters but for 100mins can't complain. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Late R The overall story is familiar and doesn't do much that hasn't been done before, but ‘The Swordsman' is well acted and delivers a version of the (almost) blind swordsman that capitalises on its thrilling sword-fight scenes. When you're coming into an action film, there's not much more you could want. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/22 Full Review Read all reviews

The Swordsman

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Cast & Crew

Choi Jae-hun Director Choi Jae-Hoon Director Jang Hyuk Tae-yul Jung Man-sik Min Seung-ho Ji Seung-hyun Musa Choi Jin-ho Lee Mok-yo
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The Swordsman

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Synopsis A swordsman who is going blind is forced to raise his sword again to save his daughter, who has been kidnapped by a slave dealer.

Director
Choi Jae-hun, Choi Jae-Hoon

Producer
Park A-hyeong

Screenwriter
Choi Jae-hun, Choi Jae-Hoon

Production Co
Opus Pictures

Genre
Action

Original Language
Korean

Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 11, 2021

Runtime
1h 40m

Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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