Make some noise for the latest South Korean monster film, “Hope.” This thrilling movie opens today in a larger number of theaters than typical for Korean imports in Tarrant County, kicking off with an intense teaser trailer. The film captivates audiences right from its opening scene, where a man on horseback is pursued by a gigantic predator that leaps from the trees, aiming to devour both him and his steed. The title may seem peculiar, but rest assured, the film is even more audacious than the trailer suggests, making it our top pick this week.
The story centers around Ko Beum-seok, portrayed by Hwang Jung-min, who serves as the police chief of a tranquil coastal town known as Hope Harbor, situated near the North Korean border. The film opens with a gripping sequence reminiscent of Spielberg’s style, as Chief Ko drives back into town and discovers a gaping hole in the village’s real estate office, with workers brutally attacked inside. Just like the suspenseful reveals in “Jurassic Park,” writer-director Na Hong-jin skillfully keeps the monster hidden for as long as possible, opting to follow the chief on his harrowing journey through the destruction of his town. The tension escalates to the point where a sudden sound causes him to fire four shotgun blasts into a puddle of water.
When the creature finally reveals itself, it is an imposing 10-foot-tall entity that violently slams one of Ko’s deputies against another, turning them into a gruesome mess. The design of the aliens is intellectually fascinating, as they appear more evolved than humans when upright yet can switch to a feral four-legged form, capable of outrunning a vehicle. Close-up shots of the creatures are impressive, although their movement in long shots can appear awkward and disconnected from the environment, a notable flaw for a film that stands as South Korea’s most expensive production to date. The film features well-known Hollywood actors like Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender, who lend their talents through motion capture but seem overqualified for their roles.
Comparisons to Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” are inevitable, and unfortunately, Na’s script lacks the same depth. The plot twist reveals that a local simpleton may have unwittingly endangered humanity by attacking one of the aliens’ young. However, the film captures Bong’s dark humor through a character played by Im Hyun-sik, who attempts to recount his encounter with the aliens but veers off into a humorous tangent about his digestive issues. Meanwhile, Chief Ko’s young cousin, portrayed by Zo In-sung, experiences a moment of victory against one of the aliens, only for it to end in an unexpectedly anticlimactic manner. Hwang adeptly embodies the role of a bumbling coward faced with an incomprehensible threat, continuing his collaboration with Na, who previously directed him in “The Wailing.”
Na showcases a flair for action that rivals his contemporaries. The film’s initial slow build pays off in a tense scene where armed men discover the aliens’ spaceship in the woods, only to become the hunted. The climax features a chaotic freeway chase that includes a daring leap from a galloping horse onto a speeding police car, a stunt that would make any Western director envious. Despite a somewhat abrupt conclusion, “Hope” fulfills its titular promise by celebrating the unwavering resilience of the human spirit. The film’s mid-credits shot delivers a darkly humorous twist that leaves a lasting impression.
Hope
Starring Hwang Jung-min and Zo In-sung. Written and directed by Na Hong-jin. Rated R.
