Hope – Film Review
by Frank L.

Director – Na Hong-jin
Writer – Na Hong-jin
Stars – Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon

Beom Seok (Hwang Jung-min) is a police chief in the harbour town of Hope. He is investigating the unexplained maimed corpse of a cow. But the corpse of the dead cow is only one part of the devastation which has been wreaked on the town of Hope. As he investigates, with a gun at the ready and his deputy Hoyeon (Sung Ae) by his side, further inexplicable destruction is perpetrated on the town. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring forest, a relative of Beom Seok and his mates are trying to track down the creature that is creating the havoc. There is an immense amount of shooting in the devastated streets of Hope, but the source of the chaos does not make itself apparent for approximately an hour.

Na Hong-jin is a South Korean film director and screenwriter, born in 1974 and known for The Chaser (2008) and the acclaimed horror film The Wailing (2016). This new release moves on to the genre of science fiction. 

This is an all-action film, and it leaves little time for reflection. If you’re looking for a more thoughtful release, we would suggest Sense and Sensibility, but this will attract an altogether different audience! The main focus for the protagonists is on staying alive and not finding a suitable husband. The CGI-generated monster may not be entirely convincing, but for those who want to be transported into a world of the fantastical, here is a film that does just that.