The Old Woman with the Knife

Hornclaw is an aging assassin whose steady career is shaken when she agrees to train Bullfight, a brash young operative who treats danger like a dare. The two forge a partnership that softens as their differences collide, mixing quiet expertise with reckless energy. When Hornclaw uncovers evidence that someone in their circle wants her dead, she must trace the lie and set traps of her own. Loyalties shift, old codes get questioned, and casual violence takes on personal stakes. The film follows how trust is bought and broken, how mentorship can change teacher and pupil alike, and how survival requires more than sharp reflexes. Old debts resurface too. She rethinks old alliances while Bullfight learns hard lessons and pays dearly.

Released in 2025, The Old Woman with the Knife was directed by Min Kyu-dong and credits Gu Byeong-mo, Kim Dong-wan, and Byun Hye-joo. It stars Lee Hye-young, Kim Sung-cheol, Yeon Woo-jin and Kim Moo-yul, Shin Sia, and more.

As of early 2025 there are no widely reported major awards or nominations for The Old Woman with the Knife. It has not appeared on international awards shortlists, and while festival screenings or regional prizes might occur, the film has not yet secured prominent recognition in major awards coverage.

The film prompted conversations about casting an older woman in the lead action role, and Lee Hye-young's Hornclaw has been singled out in discussions about gender and age in genre films. Select action sequences and the mentor-protege relationship have gained attention on social media and film blogs.

Critical response has been mixed, reflected in a 6.5/10 user vote average from 49 votes. Many reviewers praise Lee Hye-young's performance, the film's interrogation of aging, loyalty, and moral ambiguity, and its stylish action. Others say the pacing is uneven and plot dodges clarity at times.