Movie Review: ‘Hope’

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Review by James Lindorf

Na Hong-jin announced himself to international audiences with “The Wailing” in 2016, one of the finest Korean horror films of the last 25 years. A decade later, he returns with “Hope,” his most ambitious project to date. The film premiered in competition at Cannes in May before opening in South Korea in July and now reaches American theaters on September 9th through Neon, the first Korean film the independent distributor has brought to North America since “Parasite” took home the Oscar for Best Picture in 2020. “Hope” is an original genre blend of action, science fiction, and horror that unfolds across 160 minutes in 1,500 theaters nationwide.

Hope Harbor Police Chief Ko Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) is a man in over his head. First thing in the morning, he is pulled out of his office by his cousin Ko Sung-ki (Zo In-sung) to the site of a dead animal with unexplained wounds blocking the road. Bum-seok returns to town, where embarrassment and destruction await. While he was away, a mysterious creature began wreaking havoc on the village, leveling buildings and slaughtering everyone it comes across. Officer Im Sung-ae (Jung Ho-yeon) and townspeople turned militia aid the Chief in his fight, and it will take all of them and a lot of luck if they hope to survive.
Meanwhile, Sung-ki continues with his friends on their planned hunting trip in the nearby forest. What seems like a straightforward day spirals out of control as the friends stumble upon something far larger than what is happening in town and find themselves being hunted instead. A day that starts as inconvenient escalates through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions that will change how the survivors see the world.

“Hope” is at its best in its first act. It drops us into the rural village with the story already in motion, even if Bum-seok and we don’t know it yet. There are strong notes of “Jaws” from the unprepared Chief, to the locals ready to get the job done on their own, a more well-prepared helper, and a monster that remains hidden until an extended action scene pits the two head-to-head. When it works off this template, “Hope” is fantastic, but it begins to break that mold as the minutes tick by.

Na Hong-jin paces the story pretty well, finding ways to make it bigger just as it begins to drag. Early on, this is achieved by introducing Ho-yeon’s Sung-ae, who is the film’s standout presence throughout. Without warning, she bursts into the action as a complete badass. She is everything Nick Frost’s character in “Hot Fuzz” dreams of being as a police officer. Thankfully, even though the story unfolds in a fairly compressed timeline, less than a full day, we do get a chance to see a warmer side of Sung-ae as she lends a hand in the hospital, helping with the injured. It softens and rounds her from caricature into a character. This introduction, or shift in focus, continues throughout the film as we move from the city into the woods and introduce new threats, before turning the whole story on its head.

Throughout the film, the action is varied and frequently impressive, with stunt driving that recalls the over-the-top energy of 1980s American action films, and a sound design that rewards the theatrical experience. However, as easy as it is to appreciate the work, dedication, and expertise it takes to construct a 30-minute chase scene, it is still a large hill for most viewers to climb. At this runtime, the extended action sequences, while individually entertaining, become repetitive through sheer accumulation. Beyond the risk of fatigue, two other issues plague the action scenes.

First is a bit of a nitpick about the monster’s speed. It can’t catch a person on foot or horseback, but it can keep up with a car. It is very inconsistent and something I may not have noticed if the scene wasn’t going on and on. Unfortunately, the second problem is much more damning. The practical effects are solid throughout, and the creature looks good standing still, but once the chase is on, it looks terrible. It is so bad it is unclear if it was an artistic choice or honestly the best they could do. There is talk that this is the most expensive South Korean film ever produced. If it wasn’t intentional, they need a lot more money to reach the standards we expect in a 160-minute epic.

For many people seeing the film for the first time this week, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are likely the biggest names in the cast. However, if they are the reason you are buying a ticket, adjust your expectations considerably. Their line count isn’t significantly higher than mine, and their presence is best understood as name recognition for international markets and groundwork for the sequel Na Hong-jin clearly hopes to make.

“Hope” is best suited for viewers who don’t need layered characters or a defined endpoint to have a great time. Loving a well-executed chase sequence will definitely help. Still, if extended action scenes are not your thing, this is not your film. Early viewers willing to accept an unresolved ending are betting on a sequel that would make the whole journey worthwhile. It is a bet worth taking for the right audience. While its first 40 minutes border on a perfect score, the sum of “Hope” earns a 3 out of 5 thanks to its excellent cast and dynamic action.

Rating: R (Bloody Violent Images|Language)
Genre: Horror, Action, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language: Korean
Release Date (Theaters): September 9th, 2026
Runtime: 2h 40m
Director: Na Hong-jin
Producer: Kim Saemi, Son Seung-hyeon
Screenwriter: Na Hong-jin
Distributor: Neon
Production Co: Plus M Entertainment