Despite Hope being only his fourth feature, the latest film by auteur Na Hong-jin arrives with enormous expectations. His debut, The Chaser, remains one of the strongest first features by any filmmaker, and The Wailing is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Naturally, his newest work would be highly anticipated, even more so after its divisive world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Heading in, my expectations were tepid. However, when the projector stopped working for a moment, I found myself panicking at the thought that they might not be able to fix it. That’s when I realised I was watching something truly special.

Sung-ki (Zo In-sung) reports an incident that is nothing short of strange: a cow appears to have been attacked by a creature that isn’t a bear, but could be a tiger, or something else entirely. Chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) returns to Hope Harbour to warn residents and advise them to take shelter in case a dangerous beast is on the loose, while Sung-ki and several locals head into the woods to investigate further. However, when the creature begins to tear through everything in its path, they realise that what they’re facing may not be from this planet.

Hong-jin has known how to build tension ever since The Chaser, and he consistently delivers payoffs that are nothing short of satisfying. The first hour of Hope is sheer suspense, punctuated by bursts of exhilarating action that could rival any Hollywood blockbuster as its payoff. Truthfully, not since Michael Bay’s Transformers films have I seen an action film blend practical effects and CGI so expertly. It results in moments that are genuinely mind-blowing.

An early sequence in which a car rolls and crushes someone as they try to flee is pure movie magic. More impressive is the use of what I assume are fully loaded blanks and squibs; while an extremely dangerous effect, leads to adrenaline-pumping results. Massive muzzle flashes, clouds of dust, bullet-casing ejections, and full-on destruction erupt across the screen, creating a visceral intensity that’s impossible to ignore.

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The film’s structure builds towards a reveal, which, unfortunately, if you’ve seen any trailer, is more of an inevitability than a shocking twist. It’s a shame, because the film hides the creature for nearly an hour before unleashing the horror on screen. The horror itself is two-pronged: the alien designs look incredible, but the CGI can be rough around the edges, sometimes giving the visuals a glossy PS3-era sheen, especially when the aliens are sprinting around causing havoc.

However, once the alien is introduced and chases Bum‑seok, rookie cop Sung-ae (Hoyeon) arrives, driving a police car and wielding a massive machine gun with an attached grenade launcher. She then proceeds to unload an entire magazine at the creature, and the sheer spectacle of this moment made me completely forget about the CGI.

Also, when you have Hwang Jung‑min as one of your leads, it becomes even easier to forget about the CGI. Delivering a performance that communicates so much through his facial expressions and physicality, something very few actors can achieve. The way his body shakes as he locates the creature is nothing short of incredible. Hoyeon, as Sung‑ae, is also wonderful; from the moment she appears, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Zo In‑sung is excellent as always and truly shines in the film’s third act.

In the third act, the film also perfectly showcases its sound mix, which makes full use of the surround channels and delivers some truly punchy moments. The score in this section feels reminiscent of John Williams; however, despite evoking that style, it never comes across as a shallow imitation. Instead, it elevates the tension and drama in every scene. Especially in the earlier acts, the score is nothing short of exhilarating, allowing the action to truly soar.

From the moment the title card appears, Hope is nothing short of a high‑octane action masterpiece. Na Hong‑jin’s latest is the definition of an action blockbuster, from its incredible blank work to its practical effects and its rough‑around‑the‑edges CGI. It’s everything we expect from modern blockbusters, cranked to max.

★★★★★

Had its UK Premiere at the 2026 Edinburgh Film Festival and in UK cinemas from September 25th / Hwang Jung‑min, Zo In‑sung, Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander / Dir: Na Hong-jin / Neon / 18

About the Author

Robert Ewing

Author

Rob is a freelance film critic and writer who specialises in Anime and Asian cinema. I have adored film since a young age, having watched films that were far too old for me, such as RoboCop, Die Hard, and Hot Tub Time Machine, to discovering the heights of foreign cinema through films like Headhunters and Battle Royale. Growing up with such a diverse catalogue of films that I cherished sparked my desire to discuss them. This passion eventually led me to become a reviewer. Dissecting films, speaking to filmmakers I admire, and showcasing the best of Asian and anime cinema is how I live my best and truest life.

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