Netflix‘s new sci-fi remake is hitting the ground running.
The streamer’s year so far has been dominated by thrillers like His & Hers and the Harlan Coben adaptation I Will Find You. Both have dominated the Top 10 charts, with the first debuting strong at the start of the year and the Coben series only arriving in June. But there is still a chance for more genre fare to make a comeback.
That could be the case with Human Vapor, which remakes the 1960s Japanese film of the same name. The remake is described as a “new kind of series” in Netflix’s official press release, and it’s off to a strong start.
Netflix’s Human Vapor remake is having an impressive debut on Rotten Tomatoes. The sci-fi thriller currently sits at 86%, based on 7 reviews, with only one review leaning negative. The average score is 6.70 out of 10. The score will likely fluctuate as more reviews are added.
Debuting on July 2 and consisting of eight episodes, the remake takes its title from the Human Vapor figure. He sends shock waves all over the world when someone abruptly inflates and bursts on live television. The culprit is a man who can turn his body into gas and pass through any obstacle. He appears in a video, claiming responsibility for a horrific murder. He also declares his plans to kill again, vowing to share his motives, methods, and next target at a press conference.
From that point on, he vanishes and creates a sense of unease throughout all of Japan. It’s up to Detective Kenji Okamoto (Shun Oguri) and reporter Kyoko Kono (Yu Aoi) to figure out how to proceed with the investigation and uncover the truth. It is ultimately a game of cat-and-mouse, with the Human Vapor picking his next target and seemingly taunting the heroes of the story to catch up before it’s too late.
Offering a preview of the eight-part thriller, ScreenRant calls Human Vapor a “must-watch.” The remake hails from Yeon Sang-ho, the creator behind crossover hits like Train to Busan and Hellbound. His latest is a continuation in the genre space, expanding on a seminal favorite.
Shinzo Katayama directs the series, which is coming after the 1960s film that is regarded as one of Japan’s early best films. It’s a towering legacy to live up to. But so far at least, Netflix’s Human Vapor remake looks to be capturing attention.
Human Vapor is available to stream on Netflix.
- Release Date
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July 2, 2026
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Shinzo Katayama
Cast
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Kento Hayashi
Human Vapor
