The Old Woman with the Knife (2025): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Old Woman with the Knife is a 2025 action thriller starring Cynthia as Hornclaw (Young), Kim Sung-cheol and Mitch Craig. It is partly based on The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo and Chi-Young Kim. It runs 2 hours and earned $50,306 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Korean What Is The Old Woman with the Knife About?
The premise of The Old Woman with the Knife without spoilers, adapted from The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo and Chi-Young Kim. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Aging assassin Hornclaw, who has witnessed countless events, finds herself unexpectedly mentoring a young, impetuous apprentice named Bullfight. As their bond strengthens, tensions rise within the criminal underworld they operate in. When Hornclaw uncovers a plot to kill her, she is drawn into a dangerous web of deceit. Surrounded by enemies and struggling to find allies, she must confront the forces aligned against her.
The Old Woman with the Knife Cast & Characters
Cynthia leads the cast as Hornclaw (Young), with Kim Sung-cheol as Bullfight and Mitch Craig as Attacking soldier Richard.
- Cynthia as Hornclaw (Young)
- Kim Sung-cheol as Bullfight
- Mitch Craig as Attacking soldier Richard
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Mu-Yeol Kim as Ryu
Also Starring in The Old Woman with the Knife
· 1 more- Lee Hye-yeong Hornclaw
The Old Woman with the Knife Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Old Woman with the Knife 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (82) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Old Woman with the Knife Echo Score Breakdown
The Old Woman with the Knife excels as a stylish and emotionally resonant thriller that balances compelling performances with dynamic action sequences. Many reviewers praised the meticulous cinematography and strong ensemble acting, highlighting Lee Hye-young’s intense portrayal and the film’s blend of suspenseful narrative and provocative thematic depth. Although some noted that its fragmented flashback structure can disrupt momentum, the film’s vivid production design and sustained intrigue deliver a largely satisfying experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 82
In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual execution stands out with polished cinematography and purposeful production design that underscore its gritty tone. Reviews highlight carefully framed action scenes and a measured use of color, though the non-linear flashback editing occasionally interrupts flow. Overall, its technical presentation remains a consistently engaging asset.
- Character & Emotion 78
When evaluating character and emotion, Lee Hye-young’s portrayal anchors the narrative with palpable resilience and subtle vulnerability. Critics and viewers note rich ensemble work and credible chemistry that amplify the protagonist’s journey, despite occasional underdevelopment of supporting roles. Ultimately, the film’s emotional core delivers engaging performances that sustain audience investment.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding story and flow, the film offers an original revenge narrative that interweaves thematic depth with suspenseful twists. Many found the multi-layered subplots engaging and provocative in their treatment of aging and agency, while others felt that choppy flashbacks and complex pacing undermined narrative coherence. In sum, it presents an ambitious structure that may challenge some viewers.
- Sensory Experience 72
When it comes to sensory experience, the film combines a driving soundtrack with dynamic sound design to intensify fight sequences and suspenseful moments. The visual style, marked by stark contrasts and handheld camera work, complements the tense atmosphere, although the audio mix occasionally overpowers quieter emotional beats. Overall, its sensory elements largely enhance immersion.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch value, the film’s intricate plot and layered themes invite multiple viewings to unravel narrative nuances. Enthusiasts of action choreography may revisit key fight set pieces, and Lee Hye-young’s performance reveals new subtleties on repeat screenings. However, some may find its non-linear structure less conducive to rereading. Overall, it maintains durable appeal for genre fans.
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Rotten Tomatoes 93% Tomatometer
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.1 /5
5126 ratings
See on Letterboxd
The Old Woman with the Knife Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Old Woman with the Knife 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 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The story begins in 1975, where a young girl known as Hornclaw (Young) lived as a street urchin before being taken in by a compassionate couple who owned a local diner. While working as a helper in the establishment, her life took a violent turn when she was assaulted by a US soldier, played by Mitch Craig. In a desperate act of self-defense, Hornclaw killed the soldier. This incident caught the attention of the husband, Ji-wo, who revealed a dark secret: he was actually a highly skilled assassin for a clandestine underground organization. This group masqueraded as a pest control company, but their true purpose was the systemic elimination of individuals they deemed to be “vermins” of society.
Full summary
The whole story of The Old Woman with the Knife, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Old Woman with the Knife Box Office
The Old Woman with the Knife grossed $50,306 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$50.3K
- International
- $50.3K
The Old Woman with the Knife Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 2 trailers and 2 clips.
- Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
- Clip "Last Job" Clip
- Clip "Ten Seconds" Clip
How Well Do You Know The Old Woman with the Knife?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which year does the story of Hornclaw's childhood begin?
The Old Woman with the Knife Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Старуха с ножом” and “Стара жінка з ножем”.
- Also known as
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- Старуха с ножом
- Стара жінка з ножем
- 破果
- 聖母殺手
- Đại Mẫu
Seen The Old Woman with the Knife?
The Old Woman with the Knife FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, post-credit scenes and language of The Old Woman with the Knife, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Old Woman with the Knife?
The Old Woman with the Knife runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was The Old Woman with the Knife released?
The Old Woman with the Knife was released on May 16, 2025.
Who is in the cast of The Old Woman with the Knife?
The Old Woman with the Knife stars Cynthia as Hornclaw (Young), Kim Sung-cheol as Bullfight and Mitch Craig as Attacking soldier Richard, among 5 credited actors.
How much did The Old Woman with the Knife make at the box office?
The Old Woman with the Knife grossed $50,306 worldwide.
How is The Old Woman with the Knife rated?
The Old Woman with the Knife has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Letterboxd.
Is The Old Woman with the Knife based on a book?
Yes. The Old Woman with the Knife is partly adapted from The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo and Chi-Young Kim.
Does The Old Woman with the Knife have a post-credit scene?
No. The Old Woman with the Knife has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Old Woman with the Knife in?
The original language of The Old Woman with the Knife is Korean.
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