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Action thriller

Emergency Declaration (2022): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Emergency Declaration (2022) movie poster

Emergency Declaration is a 2022 action thriller directed by Jae-rim Han, starring Si-wan Yim as Jin-seok, Kang-ho Song and Michael Davis. It runs 2 hours 18 minutes and earned $21.4 million worldwide on a $18.1 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2023. Critics gave it 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic. Stream it on Amasian TV and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Rotten Tomatoes
66%
worldwide gross
$21.4M
award nomination
1
Echo Score
70
Emergency Declaration (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 18m (138 min)
Director
Jae-rim Han
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$18.1M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Emergency Declaration About?

The premise of Emergency Declaration without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A viral terror threat sparks global panic, leading Korean authorities to monitor a flight headed for the US. When a passenger suddenly dies under horrific circumstances, fear and confusion grip those on board. As fuel runs low and international assistance is unavailable, the captain faces an impossible choice, struggling to maintain order and save everyone while battling dwindling resources and escalating tensions.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Emergency Declaration

Stream it on Amasian TV and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Emergency Declaration Cast & Characters

Si-wan Yim leads the cast as Jin-seok, with Kang-ho Song and Michael Davis. Directed by Jae-rim Han; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Emergency Declaration Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Emergency Declaration 66% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (60).

70 /100

Emergency Declaration Echo Score Breakdown

Emergency Declaration delivers a tense, pandemic‑aware thriller that largely succeeds through competent direction and solid performances. Critics note its ability to channel contemporary fears without overt exploitation, while audiences respond to the edge‑of‑your‑seat pacing despite occasional drag. Weaknesses appear in plot coherence and an overstretched runtime, which some viewers cite as diminishing the climax. Overall, the film offers an engaging, if imperfect, experience that rewards attentive viewers looking for a high‑concept action piece.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a restrained visual style that sustains tension. Critics highlight a low‑key cinematic approach that keeps the story grounded, and the direction maintains a clear focus on the confined setting. However, several reviewers point to uneven editing that contributes to pacing lulls. Consequently, the technical execution is competent but not consistently polished.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character work stands out as a strength, with multiple reviewers praising the leads' solid performances and the antagonist's compelling presence. The cast delivers nuanced portrayals that elevate the high‑stakes premise, and audience feedback often mentions memorable acting. A minor criticism concerns limited backstory for the main villain, but overall the emotional resonance and chemistry are effective.

  • Story & Flow 60

    The story balances suspense with moments of narrative strain. Critics acknowledge the film's ability to generate excitement despite a ludicrous premise, yet several point out plot holes and a dragging third act once the cure is discovered. User comments echo this, noting pacing issues and an overlong runtime that dilute tension. The plot’s originality is mixed, resulting in a modest overall rating.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory elements contribute positively, with the film’s sound design and visual composition reinforcing the claustrophobic airplane setting. Reviewers describe the experience as thrilling and suited for big‑screen consumption, and audience reactions cite constant edge‑of‑seat engagement. While no specific soundtrack praise is recorded, the overall sensory cohesion supports the tension without major distractions.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch potential is reasonably high given the film’s suspenseful moments and strong performances. Critics see lasting appeal in its pandemic relevance and effective thriller mechanics, and many users label it an "amazing watch" or "best movie ever." Nevertheless, comments about length and pacing suggest a trimmed version might improve repeat viewings, keeping the rewatch factor solid but not exceptional.

Plot

Emergency Declaration Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Emergency Declaration from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On Incheon International Airport, a tense atmosphere unfolds as Jin-seok, a suspicious man, begins questioning a staff member about the most popular flights. His interrogation raises suspicion, and when he is denied the answers he seeks, he becomes hostile, insulting the staff before heading into the bathroom. There, in a disturbing act, he surgically inserts a cylindrical object into his armpit, signaling his intent to carry out something sinister. Meanwhile, Jae-hyuk, played by singer and actor Kang-ho Song, along with his young daughter Soo-min, are also present at the airport. Jin-seok later approaches them with inappropriate and threatening questions, prompting Jae-hyuk to step in to protect his daughter, and they quickly walk away.

Full summary

The whole story of Emergency Declaration, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Emergency Declaration Box Office & Budget

Emergency Declaration grossed $21.4 million worldwide on a $18.1 million budget, 1.2 times what it cost. $412,196 came from the US and Canada and $21 million (98%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.4M

1.2× its budget

US & Canada
$412.2K
International
$21M
Budget
$18.1M
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Awards

Emergency Declaration Awards & Nominations

Emergency Declaration earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2023.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Emergency Declaration Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Emergency Declaration.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Emergency Declaration?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which passenger steps in to protect his daughter during the virus outbreak on the plane?

Cars

Cars in Emergency Declaration

40 cars on screen, including the 1992 Daelim Citi 100 A and the 2009 Hyundai Avante.

All 40 cars
  • 1992 Daelim Citi 100 A in Emergency Declaration 1992 Daelim Citi 100 A Important role
  • 2009 Hyundai Avante in Emergency Declaration 2009 Hyundai Avante Important role
  • 2007 Hyundai Grand Starex in Emergency Declaration 2007 Hyundai Grand Starex Important role
  • 2018 Genesis G90 in Emergency Declaration 2018 Genesis G90 Minor role
Details

Emergency Declaration Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Bisang Seoneon” and “Hạ Cánh Khẩn Cấp”.

Also known as
  • Bisang Seoneon
  • Hạ Cánh Khẩn Cấp
  • Emergencia en el Aire
  • ไฟลต์คลั่ง ฝ่านรกชีวะ
  • 非常宣言
  • 紧急迫降
  • إعلان الطوارئ
  • Défense d'atterrir
  • اعلام وضعیت اضطراری
  • Bisangseongeon
  • Emergency Declaration - Der Todesflug
  • 緊急迫降
+10 more
  • Vészhelyzet bejelentése
  • Acil İniş
  • إعلان حالة الطوارئ
  • Чрезвычайная ситуация
  • Declaración de emergencia
  • Alerta de Emergência
  • Emergency Declaration - Prendi il tuo posto
  • Protokół bezpieczeństwa
  • Оповіщення про надзвичайну ситуацію
  • Declaració d'emergència

Seen Emergency Declaration?

FAQ

Emergency Declaration FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Emergency Declaration, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Emergency Declaration?

Emergency Declaration runs 2 hours 18 minutes (138 minutes).

When was Emergency Declaration released?

Emergency Declaration was released on August 12, 2022.

Who directed Emergency Declaration?

Emergency Declaration was directed by Jae-rim Han.

Who is in the cast of Emergency Declaration?

Emergency Declaration stars Si-wan Yim as Jin-seok, Kang-ho Song and Michael Davis, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Emergency Declaration?

In the US, Emergency Declaration is streaming on Amasian TV, Amazon Prime Video and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Emergency Declaration make at the box office?

Emergency Declaration grossed $21.4 million worldwide ($412,196 domestic, $21 million international) on a budget of $18.1 million.

How is Emergency Declaration rated?

Emergency Declaration has 66% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic, 75% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Emergency Declaration nominated for any awards?

Emergency Declaration received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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