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Action horror film

Rampant (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Rampant (2018) movie poster

Rampant is a 2018 action horror film directed by Seong-hoon Kim, starring Ju-hyuk Kim as Yi-yeong (Guest star), Hyun Bin and Eui-sung Kim. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $12.4 million worldwide. Critics gave it 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
62%
worldwide gross
$12.4M
Echo Score
69
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Rampant (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
Seong-hoon Kim
Genres
Action , Fantasy , Horror
Original language
Korean
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rampant About?

The premise of Rampant without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A seasoned prince returns to his medieval Korean kingdom to discover it’s besieged by relentless demons. He unites with his loyal companions and together they embark on a perilous quest to defeat the demonic forces threatening to consume their land. Their struggle is a desperate fight for survival against a terrifying darkness.

Rampant Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • zombie
  • sword
  • prince
  • sword fighting
  • crown
  • dismemberment
  • decapitation
  • impalement
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Cast & crew

Rampant Cast & Characters

Ju-hyuk Kim leads the cast as Yi-yeong (Guest star), with Hyun Bin as Lee Chung and Eui-sung Kim. Directed by Seong-hoon Kim; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Seong-hoon Kim

More films directed by Seong-hoon Kim, best-rated first: A Hard Day, Tunnel and Confidential Assignment.

Full filmography
Ratings

Rampant Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rampant 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (45).

69 /100

Rampant Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a striking visual presentation but struggles to maintain consistent narrative momentum. Critics and viewers praise its detailed period production design and gruesome action sequences, while noting uneven mythology, predictable plot points, and a languid first half. The direction of visceral set-pieces provides energy but is offset by muddled pacing and superficial character arcs. Although the medieval setting and genre blend offer occasional novelty, the overall experience remains uneven. Ultimately, Rampant offers compelling moments amid persistent structural weaknesses.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Rampant excels in its visual presentation but shows occasional inconsistency in execution. Reviewers highlight the film’s elaborate period production design, vivid color palette, and dynamic action editing. Critics commend the cinematography for capturing the gruesome details of each set-piece, though some note abrupt tonal shifts in mythology sequences. Overall, the film offers striking visuals tempered by an uneven integration of stylistic elements.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are solid yet emotional depth fluctuates. Viewers appreciate the leads’ committed acting and some engaging subplots that develop supporting figures. However, the large ensemble often lacks distinguishing traits, and several emotional beats feel forced or underdeveloped. In summary, the film delivers competent performances but struggles to establish consistent emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, Rampant is hampered by a predictable and at times disjointed narrative. While the medieval-horror hybrid introduces a novel context, critics and audiences point to a slow first half, assorted plot holes, and lapses in mythological coherence. These issues undermine engagement despite intermittent action peaks. Overall, the storyline offers limited momentum and originality.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film delivers a strongly immersive atmosphere. Critics and viewers praise its unsettling sound design, a driving musical score, and atmospheric soundscapes that enhance tension. The visual style is marked by vivid gore effects, restrained color grading, and meticulously framed action sequences. In conclusion, Rampant offers a powerful sensory impact that anchors its horror elements.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Rampant provides moderate repeat appeal for genre enthusiasts. The visceral action sequences and period setting may invite another viewing for their spectacle, but the predictability of the plot and uneven pacing diminish lasting interest. While gore aficionados may revisit key scenes, the overall combination of narrative weaknesses limits the film’s enduring replay value.

Plot

Rampant Plot Summary

What happens in Rampant from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the Joseon era, the court is steeped in tension as nationalists view King Lee Jo as a puppet of the Qing dynasty. His son, the Crown Prince Yi-yeong, Ju-hyuk Kim hatches a daring plan to purchase European arquebuses in a bid to push back the Qing, confident that new firepower could tilt the balance of power. But war Minister Kim Ja-joon, a formidable influencer at court, uncovers the scheme and twists it into a much darker narrative of rebellion. He secretly meets the Europeans and discovers a grim secret: a crewman locked away in a cell is slowly turning into a demon, a precursor to the nightmare looming over the capital.

Full summary

The whole story of Rampant, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rampant Box Office

Rampant grossed $12.4 million worldwide. $167,937 came from the US and Canada and $12.2 million (99%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$12.4M

US & Canada
$167.9K
International
$12.2M
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rampant?

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
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  6. Question 6: not answered
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  10. Question 10: not answered

In which historical era is Rampant set?

Details

Rampant Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “尸杀帝国” and “尸落之城”.

Also known as
  • 尸杀帝国
  • 尸落之城
  • 猖獗
  • 창궐
  • 屍殺帝國
  • Salgın
  • Неистов
  • Tomboló démonok
  • Zaraza
  • Desenfreado
  • 屍落之城
  • นครนรกซอมบี้คลั่ง
+4 more
  • Прорыв
  • Desenfrenado
  • Dạ Quỷ
  • 王宮の夜鬼

Seen Rampant?

FAQ

Rampant FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Rampant, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rampant?

Rampant runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Rampant released?

Rampant was released on November 2, 2018.

Who directed Rampant?

Rampant was directed by Seong-hoon Kim.

More films by Seong-hoon Kim

Who is in the cast of Rampant?

Rampant stars Ju-hyuk Kim as Yi-yeong (Guest star), Hyun Bin as Lee Chung and Eui-sung Kim, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Rampant make at the box office?

Rampant grossed $12.4 million worldwide ($167,937 domestic, $12.2 million international).

How is Rampant rated?

Rampant has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Rampant have a post-credit scene?

No. Rampant has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Rampant in?

The original language of Rampant is Korean.

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