‘Golden Kamuy - The Abashiri Prison Raid’ (2026) Netflix Movie Review - A Thrilling Prison Siege Drama

Your beloved action series is back in the game with part 3 of Golden Kamuy dropping. Picking up directly from Golden Kamuy: The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido, the latest installment wastes no time in taking viewers back into the dangerous hunt for the Ainu gold. The story follows Russo-Japanese War veteran Saichi Sugimoto and his fearless companion Asirpa as they embark on a dangerous and desperate mission to infiltrate the infamous Abashiri Prison. The mission is simple: locate Noppera-Bo and uncover the truth behind the hidden treasure while also staying alive in order to escape. This is followed by a relentless three-way conflict involving Sugimoto's allies, Lieutenant Tsurumi's ruthless 7th Division and Toshizo Hijikata’s faction. Victory sure isn’t easy at this point.

There are many good things about  Golden Kamuy 3: The Abashiri Prison Raid. For example, the action sequences leave a mark in your head even after the credits begin to roll. Abashiri Prison itself becomes a battlefield, which creates an atmosphere of tension and danger lurking around the corner. That means that the action we get to see is also a lot about surviving and not solely one party beating up the other. This is a rare form of combination when it comes to action. As a result, what we get is a plot full of interesting twists and turns.

Kento Yamazaki, without a doubt, is the showstopper. His portrayal of the character Sugimoto manages to easily balance out the physical toughness alongside emotional vulnerability, which reminds the viewers of what loyalty on the battlefield looks like. His action sequences are so clean and perfect that one feels like watching them on repeat. Having said that, even Anna Yamada is no less than Asirpa, whose intelligence remains crucial for the plot development. She provides the emotional depth to the plot as she actively influences the group’s decisions. In addition to the main cast, the supporting cast also deserves equal applause for their performances. For example, Lieutenant Tsurumi remains a great antagonist. His character adds a layer of mystery to the plot, which is very much required.

The makers of Golden Kamuy 3: The Abashiri Prison Raid have also succeeded in maintaining high standards of production by way of costumes, military uniforms, and portraying Hokkaido landscapes of twentieth-century Japan. The cinematography beautifully captures the era, which makes the movie an even more realistic watch.

The pacing is the only issue I found in Golden Kamuy 3: The Abashiri Prison Raid. There are moments when the plot slows down when, in reality, it wasn’t required. I wish the makers had paid some attention to the otherwise seamless execution of the movie. Some scenes are stretched for no reason, while others run way faster than required. Though the plot is very much understandable overall, the slow pacing can render the movie a bit boring. Also, if you are someone who enjoys history, Golden Kamuy 3: The Abashiri Prison Raid is a great watch. But if you aren’t a lover of the same, maybe this might not be the best watch for you overall.

Final Score - [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times