The Drug King

  • 2018
  • Not Rated
  • 139m
movieMx RATING
6.3/10152
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: The Drug King Review

Last updated: February 2, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 2, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Drug King (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Drug King features a noteworthy lineup led by Song Kang-ho . Supported by the likes of Cho Jung-seok and Bae Doona , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Drug King (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Drug King stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Drug King

Quick Plot Summary: The Drug King is a Crime, Action, Drama film that dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Drug King

Ending Breakdown: The Drug King concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Drug King reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Drug King Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Drug King incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, action, drama film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.

Accuracy Assessment: The Drug King adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Drug King?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment
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Top Cast: The Drug King

All Cast & Crew →
Song Kang-ho
Song Kang-hoLee Doo-sam
Cho Jung-seok
Cho Jung-seokKim In-goo
Bae Doona
Bae DoonaKim Jeong-ah
Kim So-jin
Kim So-jinSeong Sook-kyeong
Kim Dae-myung
Kim Dae-myungLee Doo-hwan
Lee Sung-min
Lee Sung-minSeo Sang-hoon
Lee Hee-jun
Lee Hee-junChoi Jin-pil
Jo Woo-jin
Jo Woo-jinJo Seong-gang
Yoon Je-moon
Yoon Je-moonKim Soon-pyeong
Song Young-chang
Song Young-changUN Ambassador
Kim Hae-gon
Kim Hae-gonBaek Woon-chang
Lee Jung-ok
Lee Jung-okYoon Kang-sik
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Where to Watch The Drug King Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

NetflixNetflix

The Drug King Parents Guide & Age Rating

2018 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Drug King age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Drug King has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Crime, Action, Drama), it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Drug King is 139 minutes (2h 19m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Drug King is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Drug King. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Drug King worth watching?

The Drug King is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Drug King parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Drug King identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Drug King?

The total duration of The Drug King is 139 minutes, which is approximately 2h 19m long.

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How The Drug King Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Drug King

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
The Drug King
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-drug-king-497370" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.3</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Drug King</div></div></a>

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