Year: 2018
Runtime: 106 min
Language: English
Director: John Woo
A skilled combat instructor finds himself in a desperate race against time to save his fiancée. She has been kidnapped by a ruthless criminal and his team of dangerous assassins. He must use all his training and resourcefulness to confront the mastermind and rescue her before it's too late, facing deadly obstacles and perilous encounters along the way.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Manhunt yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Manhunt (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
At the 65th anniversary celebration of Tenjin Pharmaceutical, high-powered attorney Du Qiu, played by Hanyu Zhang, prepares to bid farewell, having already made up his mind about leaving the company. Company head Yoshihiro Sakai (portrayed by Jun Kunimura) attempts to persuade him to remain, yet he remains resolute. Amid the festivities, a captivating young woman named Mayumi, played by Stephy Qi, catches Du Qiu’s eye. She cleverly leads him away from the party for a clandestine meeting, only to vanish shortly thereafter. Later that evening, as Du Qiu returns home, he is unexpectedly attacked and knocked unconscious.
The following morning, he awakens in a horrifying situation: his colleague Kiko, played by Tao Okamoto, lies lifeless on his bed, and he finds himself clutching the murder weapon. Just as Detective Asano, portrayed by Naoto Takenaka, arrives with a team to arrest him, Du Qiu realizes he’s been framed. Understanding the gravity of his situation, he escapes before he can be apprehended, triggering a massive manhunt. His new assistant, Rika, portrayed by Nanami Sakuraba, alerts the hard-boiled detective Yamura, played by Masaharu Fukuyama, who rushes to the scene for backup.
Just as Du Qiu sneaks into the sewers to evade capture, Yamura, having anticipated his escape route, confronts him. In a desperate turn of events, Du Qiu takes Yamura hostage to ensure his own getaway. Along the way, as he insists on his innocence, he reluctantly releases Yamura, discarding his weapon in a moment of trust, leading Yamura to suspect that there’s more to this case than initially perceived.
Now branded as Osaka’s most wanted fugitive, Du Qiu employs every trick in the book to elude the police and hide from danger. During his flight, he uncovers a disturbing scheme where a group lures the homeless into unmarked vans, never to be seen again. Suddenly, the tables turn when he becomes the target of assassins led by Dawn, portrayed by Angeles Woo, and her counterpart, Rain, while realizing the conspiracy runs deeper into his life than he ever imagined.
With nowhere left to turn, Du Qiu seeks refuge with Mayumi, who helps him escape to her family’s farm in the countryside. There, Du Qiu pleads for her to provide an alibi to prove his innocence, only to be met with a shocking revelation. Mayumi, driven by vengeance for her fiancé, who she believes was wrongfully convicted thanks to Du Qiu’s legal actions, confronts him in the woods, ready to exact her revenge. Just as she’s about to pull the trigger, Dawn appears, complicating the situation with deadly consequences. As a culmination of chaos ensues, Yamura arrives, aiding Du Qiu and Mayumi in their battle against the assailants. This near-death encounter shifts their perspectives dramatically.
Later, a suspicious Mayumi investigates the farm for clues and uncovers a file hidden by her fiancé, which unveils the astounding truth about his role in a conspiracy involving Tenjin Pharmaceuticals. This leads Du Qiu to a critical realization: the mastermind orchestrating the dark deeds is none other than the Sakai family. To avert further disaster, Du Qiu courageously ventures alone to the pharmaceutical plant.
What he discovers is horrifying; Tenjin Pharmaceuticals is involved in a sinister operation, using homeless individuals as subjects for brutal medical experiments aimed at developing a drug that transforms humans into weapons for sale to terrorist organizations. Taken captive, Du Qiu finds himself coerced into participating in the very experiments he sought to expose. In a climactic showdown, he must confront Yamura, who has come to rescue him. Despite the abuse and coercion, Du Qiu fights against the manipulation, bolstered by his will to resist. The two, alongside Rain—who has now turned against Tenjin—forge an alliance to battle their captors to the bitter end, determined to bring justice to light.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 01:13
Still wondering what the ending of Manhunt (2018) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the final moments of “Manhunt,” the plot ties together the tragic pursuit of justice and the intricate political aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. After the verdicts are announced, justice for the conspirators is swiftly carried out through executions, symbolizing the nation’s attempt to heal and move forward. However, the story emphasizes Edwin Stanton’s unwavering dedication to Lincoln’s legacy and the fight for equality. Despite being replaced as Secretary of War by President Johnson, Stanton refuses to give up his duties. Instead, he clandestinely continues to serve in the position by locking himself in his office for months until a fair investigation is conducted, showcasing his resilience and loyalty. His persistence ultimately upholds the principles Lincoln stood for, including the abolition of slavery and the rights of Black Americans, which Stanton tirelessly championed until his death. The film concludes with Stanton’s death on Christmas Eve, symbolizing the end of an era but also the fulfillment of his commitment to justice, the American future, and the ideals that guided Lincoln’s vision for the nation. In this way, the ending underscores the enduring struggle for justice, loyalty, and the pursuit of a better America.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
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