Movie Review: Hope
Hope Movie Review: Na Hong-jin’s Hilarious & Gory Sci-Fi Return
When I first saw the trailer for Hope, I’ll be completely honest that I wasn’t all that excited. The CGI in the promos looked a little funky to me, and I was skeptical about how the visuals would hold up on a big scale.
However, as you guys know, I never let a first impression from a trailer stop me from experiencing a movie for myself. Plus, look at this cast list: Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Squid Game’s Hoyeon, and Hollywood power couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander as motion-captured extraterrestrials? Sign me up!
Directed by Na Hong-jin (The Wailing), this sprawling, high-octane 2026 South Korean sci-fi action thriller marks his grand return after a decade-long hiatus. I managed to catch an early IMAX screening, and it was quite the ride. Let’s dive in!
What Is Hope About? (Plot Overview)
Set in a remote harbor town near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the film kicks off when local police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and his cousin, a hunter named Sung-ki (Zo In-sung), stumble upon a terrifying cosmic threat following a series of mysterious livestock mutilations and a massive blackout communication breakdown.
As an aggressive, territorial alien presence descends on their isolated town, the local residents and police must band together in a pedal-to-the-metal fight for pure survival.
The Big Surprise: It’s Hilarious!
Going into Hope, I fully expected a dark, oppressive, full-blown sci-fi action thriller given Na Hong-jin’s filmography. What I didn't expect was just how funny this movie actually is!
I laughed way more than I thought I would. And honestly? That comedic balance works in its favor. The narrative pacing can feel a little draggy in certain stretches, but the landing of the humor really helps lighten the mood and keeps the energy flowing.
That being said, don't let the comedy fool you, when the movie wants to be an action thriller, it delivers. Most of the runtime is packed with intense, gory, and chaotic survival sequences.
Tension, The Alien Reveal & The "Funky" CGI
The movie builds a fantastic sense of dread and suspense early on, even if it takes a surprisingly long time for the aliens to actually show themselves. Since the promotional material and trailers had already revealed the creature designs, waiting through the slow-burn buildup felt a little strange, but the tension payoff is solid.
As for the CGI? Yeah, it’s still a bit cartoonish and funky at best. For instance, during a scene where the male alien is chasing people, the motion physics look like it’s running at lightning speed, but visually it’s not actually moving that fast. It’s a minor nitpick, but it definitely stood out. Thankfully, these visual quirks weren't enough to pull me out of the experience entirely.
Stellar Cast & Sequel Setup
The entire ensemble cast does an absolute knockout job. Hwang Jung-min and Zo In-sung carry fantastic comedic and dramatic chemistry, and every actor plays their part to perfection. Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander bring a unique, unsettling presence to their motion-capture roles that gives the film a distinct international flair.
Without spoiling anything, the ending leaves things hanging on a massive cliffhanger, heavily setting up the stage for a sequel.
So, is Hope worth watching?
RATING 8/10: Despite a few draggy moments and some questionable CGI physics, Hope is an absolute blast in theaters. It’s funny as hell, wildly action-packed, surprisingly gory, and elevated by a fantastic cast.
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