Na Hong-jin’s creature feature Hope arrives in theaters, ending a ten-year wait since The Wailing, delivering a sprawling, monster-filled ride. Set in the South Korean town of Hope Harbor, the film follows Beom Seok (Hwang Jung-min), the sheriff tasked with stopping a brutal outbreak as enormous creatures tear through the town. Hope opens in theaters on September 9 via Neon.
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A decade in the making: Na Hong-jin’s return and its 90s monster-heart
The film marks Na Hong-jin’s first project since The Wailing and channels the scale and energy of classic 1990s creature features while preserving the director’s tension and violence.
Set in Hope Harbor, the story follows the sheriff and residents as they confront a threat that feels overwhelming and relentless.
Scale, craft, and the balance of practical and digital effects
Hope unfolds over a near three-hour runtime built around two extended chase sequences. The production leans heavily on practical effects, with the creatures described as quick and threatening, while the CG work can feel uneven next to the practical pieces. The film’s production design and cinematography by Hong Kyung-pyo support a relentless, immersive assault, complemented by Michael Abels’ score that keeps the action at a fever pitch.
The visuals emphasize a expansive scope and destructible environments, aiming for a visceral, high-energy pace.
Despite its ambitions, some design choices create moments where CG and practical effects clash when placed beside tangible sets.
Characters and tone
Character development is lean, with quick impressions such as brave or lucky shaping perceptions rather than deep portraits. Beom Seok is portrayed as a capable sheriff who delivers occasional comic relief amid the chaos. Hope blends humor with its thrills, offering light moments within its high-energy pacing and standing out as a more exuberant entry than The Wailing.
Ending
The ending arrives with an abrupt cliffhanger, leaving questions unanswered as the credits roll.
Hope roars into theaters on September 9 via Neon.
Explore on Dreadpick: The Wailing — horror profile, discovery data and recommendations.
