A compelling new war movie is now available on Netflix, focusing on a lesser-known aspect of World War II. Netflix is a great place to discover fresh content, and also to find films you may have missed – especially international titles that didn’t receive wide releases in the West. There are always movies worth revisiting, and Netflix makes it easy to catch up on those you might have skipped before.
Okay, so I just stumbled across this movie on Netflix called The Battleship Island. It’s a South Korean action drama from 2017, and honestly, it shines a light on a part of World War II I’d never really seen explored in film before. If you’re a war movie fan like me, you seriously need to check this one out.
Why Is The Battleship Island Worth Watching on Netflix?
Battleship Island is a South Korean film depicting a desperate prison break during World War II. The story takes place on Hashima Island, where over 400 Korean laborers were forced to work under harsh conditions during Japan’s occupation of Korea. Facing brutal treatment, they risk everything in a courageous attempt to escape. It’s a blend of war drama and prison escape thriller, shedding light on a little-known historical event, particularly outside of Korea and Japan.
Despite Japan’s claim that the film misrepresents historical events, director Ryoo Seung-wan insists it’s “based on a true story,” drawing from historical documents and accounts from those who lived through it. He emphasizes the film isn’t meant to be anti-Japanese or promote Korean nationalism, but rather a portrayal of how war can dehumanize people. However, some South Korean critics argue the film presents a perspective sympathetic to Japanese colonial views by framing history as entertainment.
As a critic, what struck me most about this film isn’t necessarily its cinematic quality, but its very existence. It’s a vital attempt to document a little-known and often deliberately obscured part of World War II history – the events that took place on Hashima Island. It’s frustrating to see the film, and the stories it tells, still met with denial and attempts to discredit the atrocities depicted. But it’s important to remember there are survivors who corroborate these events. Even online, you’ll find heated debates – I’ve seen them raging on Reddit, for instance – with some people simply refusing to believe Japan was capable of such actions. The film, therefore, feels like a necessary, if uncomfortable, piece of historical record.
The difference in opinion between critics and audiences is even showing up in reviews for The Battleship Island. Critics gave the film a 67% rating, while audiences scored it much higher at 80%. While critics were divided on whether the story was well-structured or believable, they generally acknowledged the film’s technical skill. Many audience members, however, praised the story for its realistic portrayal of both the good and bad sides of human nature.
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2026-03-29 23:43