Na Hong-jin’s HOPE is finally arriving for American moviegoers.
If you have seen the spectacular images, heard about the sharply divided reactions in Korea, or simply recognize Na as the director of The Wailing, you may be wondering what kind of movie you are actually about to watch.
Is it horror?
Science fiction?
Do you need to watch The Wailing first?
Is the story really that confusing?
And most importantly:
Should you leave when the credits start?
Here are seven things to know before watching HOPE — with no major spoilers.
1. No, You Do Not Need to Watch The Wailing First
This is probably the easiest question to answer.
HOPE is not a sequel to The Wailing.
You do not need to know anything about Na Hong-jin’s previous films before watching it.
However, knowing the director’s style may help you understand what kind of experience you are getting into.
Na is famous for refusing to give audiences simple answers.
The Wailing became internationally celebrated partly because viewers continued debating what really happened long after the movie ended.
HOPE operates on a much larger scale, but that willingness to leave the audience with questions is still there.
So no homework is required.
But if you loved the uncertainty of The Wailing, you may already be better prepared than most viewers.
2. HOPE Is Not Just a Horror Movie
Calling HOPE a horror film does not really describe it.
Neither does calling it science fiction.
The Korean Film Council classifies the movie as science fiction, thriller and action, and all three are important.
There are mysterious creatures.
There is fear.
There is violence.
But there are also enormous action sequences, chase scenes, dark comedy and science-fiction mythology.
At times it resembles a creature feature.
At other moments it feels like an action blockbuster.
Then suddenly it becomes something closer to cosmic science fiction.
If you walk into the theater expecting one clean genre, HOPE may surprise you.
That seems to be exactly what Na Hong-jin wants.
3. Yes, It Is Long — About 2 Hours and 40 Minutes
Prepare yourself for a long ride.
The Cannes Film Festival lists HOPE at 160 minutes, while Korean theatrical information lists a slightly shorter 156-minute runtime.
Either way, you are spending well over two and a half hours inside this world.
The surprising part is that many reactions have not focused on the movie feeling slow.
Quite the opposite.
Its major action sequences are relentless.
The movie moves from the village to the mountains and forest and eventually into large-scale chase sequences.
That intensity has inspired some particularly funny reactions from Korean viewers.
One way of describing the experience is imagining a roller coaster that seems to spend almost the entire ride rushing downhill.
The bigger question is not whether enough happens.
It is whether everything that happens will feel resolved when the ride stops.
4. The Cinematography and Production Design Are Worth Seeing on a Big Screen
Even people who disagree strongly about HOPE tend to find more common ground when discussing its visual craftsmanship.
Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, whose credits include Parasite, Burning, Snowpiercer and The Wailing, shot the movie.
The production combines large physical sets, Korean locations, Romanian forests, extensive stunt work and visual effects.
The opening destruction in the village is especially impressive because the camera frequently moves with the characters instead of simply observing the action from a distance.
The environment itself tells part of the story.
Buildings are damaged.
Roads are destroyed.
Something enormous has passed through this place.
And before the movie clearly shows you everything, it lets you experience the consequences.
Whatever you ultimately think about the story, this is one movie where a theater screen can make a real difference.
5. Do Not Expect Every Mystery to Be Explained
This is probably the most important warning.
HOPE gives you information.
But it does not necessarily give you information when you want it.
The movie introduces a much larger mythology surrounding its creatures and events, while leaving significant room for viewers to connect pieces themselves.
That has produced extremely polarized reactions in Korea.
Some viewers enjoy the mystery.
Others feel the movie does not provide enough closure after such a long runtime.
Director Na Hong-jin has defended the film as a complete work, even while acknowledging that audiences may imagine what happens beyond its ending.
So if you prefer movies where every question is clearly answered before the credits, adjust your expectations.
You may leave with questions.
A lot of them.
And that is one reason people have been talking about HOPE so much.
6. A Sequel Has Been Written — But HOPE Is Not a Confirmed Trilogy
This point has caused considerable confusion online.
Na Hong-jin has already developed a continuation to the story and has publicly said that he would like the opportunity to make another movie.
That does not mean a trilogy has officially been confirmed.
The future could involve another film or potentially something larger, but audiences should not treat HOPE as the officially announced first chapter of a guaranteed three-film franchise.
For now, watch the movie in front of you.
Just understand that Na has imagined more of this world than what appears on screen.
That may also explain why some viewers come away feeling that HOPE has opened the door to a much larger story.
7. Yes — Stay When the Credits Begin
Do not immediately walk out of the theater.
HOPE includes one additional scene connected to the ending.
You do not need to sit through every last credit to see it.
The extra scene appears during the early portion of the credits, before the movie has completely finished presenting its final material.
We will not spoil what happens.
Just remember this:
When the main story appears to end, stay in your seat.
For a movie that already leaves viewers with plenty to discuss, you do not want to miss one of its final pieces.
One More Thing: Expect to Talk About HOPE Afterward
Perhaps the best way to prepare for HOPE is not to prepare too much.
Avoid detailed spoilers.
Do not expect The Wailing 2.
Do not expect a conventional Hollywood alien movie.
And do not expect everyone leaving the theater with you to have the same opinion.
Korean audiences have praised its cinematography, production design and relentless action while arguing intensely about its dialogue, storytelling and ending.
Some viewers have described being completely immersed while watching it and completely baffled afterward.
Others have joked that the audience reactions themselves are almost as entertaining as the movie.
That may actually be HOPE’s greatest strength.
Plenty of movies are easy to rate five minutes after leaving the theater.
HOPE may be harder.
You might love it.
You might hate it.
You might love half of it and be completely confused by the rest.
But there is a good chance you will want to ask the person next to you:
“So… what did you think?”
And when the credits begin:
Stay seated.