A decade following The Wailing, Na Hong-jin returns to the director’s chair with Hope, a monster movie that really aims high to achieve the “epic” label. Hope speaks to Na Hong-jin’s aspirations as an artist, especially when the world-building is so astonishing, but maybe that’s also what ends up harming the film in the long run. This has been a common issue in the South Korean filmmaker’s previous works, especially when they commit to delivering as an exercise of the genre, before the scope starts to expand too hastily. Yet his high points are so high, that you’re still exhilarated nonetheless, which perhaps best sums up my experience watching Hope.
Set in a South Korean village aptly named Hope Harbor, an ordinary day is disrupted after hunters discover a dead cow on the side of the road. With wounds that could not have been left by any other animal, the police chief Ko Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) realizes that the village is threatened by an unknown presence. It’s a perfect start, one that sets up great intrigue before we end up seeing the monster that’s been terrorizing this community. And it is also marked with an astonishing action scene, in which the rookie officer Lim Sung-ae (HoYeon Jung) comes in to save the day. Yet, Hope only expands from there on, in order to give us a better sense of what else goes on in this world.
For her feature film debut, HoYeon Jung is appropriately given an entrance that radiates “movie star” energy. It’s also where you sense that Na Hong-jin ramps the energy up to its maximum, as Bum-seok is trying to make sense of this creature that’s terrorizing his own home. After setting up the mystery that surrounds this creature that’s been terrorizing Hope Harbor, one extended chase scene follows, and it’s absolutely exhilarating. Given that this all happens in the first hour of the film, you start to sense that the rest of the movie has a lot to live up to from there. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite hit those same peaks – even though it’s still entertaining for the remainder of that runtime.
That’s not to say that Hope suddenly becomes bad after starting with an amazing first hour. Yet the energetic highs of said moments are never met again, as the film starts moving between genres. As part of these shifts, some moments are undoubtedly very funny, but it’s where you sense that Na Hong-jin is trying really hard to keep you entertained all the way to the finish line. And he’s often struggling to do so, especially as the need to explain the monster’s presence starts to take over. Suddenly, we’re moving away from the horror territory and into the realm of science fiction, and the rocky foundations of Hope couldn’t be more apparent.
Yet, given everything that Na Hong-jin is trying to throw at you, you can’t help but admire the swings for the fences he’s taking here. I’m not sure how much the film earns these moments, but I certainly think he manages to keep the intrigue for an impressive amount of time leading to the explanations for the monstrous presences. With a mix of practical and computer-generated effects coming together, there’s a certain charm felt, evoking a period of Hollywood blockbuster (namely the 80s and 90s) where technological innovations were being pushed beyond what were possible at the time. And it doesn’t always look amazing, but there’s a sense of earnestness coming out of what Na Hong-jin wants this movie to become.
It’s hard enough trying to describe this kind of movie without spoiling the surprises, as a movie like this is best experienced knowing very little. It is also where you feel that all the best moments of Hope come about. Unfortunately, I think that Na Hong-jin just has a lot more to live up to from there, especially when it seems he loses his way getting to the finale. Despite this, having the film bookended by two amazing chase scenes means you’ll enter and exit satisfied, which is the ideal feeling for a blockbuster. It’s unwieldy, bloated, maybe even a bit too thin for a two-and-a-half-hour runtime. Yet, it’s never boring – even when the action stops.
Watch the trailer right here.
All images via NEON.
Directed by Na Hong-jin
Screenplay by Na Hong-jin
Produced by Na Hong-jin, Kim Sae-mi, Kim Sae-rom
Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, HoYeon Jung, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender
Premiere Date: May 17, 2026 (Cannes)
Running Time: 156 minutes
Other Writers Say…
Jack Cox
Na Hong-jin’s Hope starts off with an hour of near perfection. The tension builds, and Hwang Jung-min, Director Na’s lead actor, is a natural fit. The film reminds me of shades of Attack on Titan, Aliens and the Resident Evil video game series. What starts off as a small-town mystery quickly becomes something much bigger, and its universe starts to expand in ways I wasn’t expecting. Even as the scale grows, Na never loses sight of the people caught in the middle of it. The film ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, which suggests that Na may just be getting started in this universe, and I for one would welcome him doing more with it.
Connor Walsh
Hope starts slow, eerie and dreadful. As the film progresses it becomes a frantic action film not too dissimilar to the stylings of Michael Bay. However, often I found the films pacing and tone jarring and a bit unfocused as a result. What is undeniable is how unique this film is. Given what the film ends on. I wouldn’t oppose more. I’d welcome it.
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