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What is the story about?
Na Hong-jin is back with another genre-bending sci-fi thriller, Hope, and fans cannot get enough of it. Nearly a decade after releasing the widely acclaimed horror film The Wailing, the South Korean director is back to raise the bar even higher with his latest offering, Hope.
What are netizens saying about Hope?Hope has become one of the most talked-about films not just because of Na Hong-jin’s long-awaited return, but also because of the strong response it received at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, where it reportedly got a six-minute standing ovation. People are also talking about the film for its huge scale, big-budget production and unique mix of sci-fi, mystery and action.
Reportedly made on a budget of around ₩50 billion ($33 million), Hope is said to be one of the most expensive Korean films ever made. The film has also grabbed attention for its international cast, featuring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell. The project also stars Korean actors like Hwang Jung-min and Jung Ho-yeon.
What are people saying about Hope?
Following the trailer release of the film, social media users have been flooding the internet with excitement.
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One user wrote, “It’s hereeee! One of the buzziest festival darlings out of Cannes, Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller Hope drops a trailer!"
Another shared, “2026 has to be one of the greatest years for Asian cinema. Not only are we getting classic films from John Woo, Ringo Lam, Takashi Miike, and Tsui Hark on physical media, but we’re also being spoiled by new classics like The Furious and HOPE on the big screen.”
Someone else added, “Hope (2026) is looking mighty good! A real surprise in my eyes — and a damn good one at that. This comes from legendary director Na Hong-jin (The Wailing). The trailer has me properly hyped. Dark, intense, and it feels like he’s going even bigger this time. Who else got surprised by how strong this looks?”
Another fan stated, “From what it seems, it has surprised in Cannes, and that's no surprise. Na Hong-jin returns after The Chaser and The Wailing with #Hope (2026). Aliens, paranoia, and tension in a proposal that, beyond the sci-fi, promises to plunge us into a genuine nightmare.”
ALSO READ | Peddi trailer out: Ram Charan is raw, ruthless and absolutely unstoppableHow to watch the film?
Following its successful premiere at Cannes on May 17, Hope is scheduled to release in South Korea in the fall of 2026.
Na Hong-jin hints at a sequel
During a press conference on Monday, the director revealed that a sequel is already in the works. “I think you can readily imagine this sequel. And there’s a script that’s already been done that I’d like to shoot. So, if I have the opportunity, I would indeed make a sequel, if possible,” he shared, as quoted by Variety.
Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, Hope centres on a village police chief and his rookie partner, who must defend their local community from a mysterious creature after wildfires sever all communication.
What are netizens saying about Hope?Hope has become one of the most talked-about films not just because of Na Hong-jin’s long-awaited return, but also because of the strong response it received at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, where it reportedly got a six-minute standing ovation. People are also talking about the film for its huge scale, big-budget production and unique mix of sci-fi, mystery and action.
Reportedly made on a budget of around ₩50 billion ($33 million), Hope is said to be one of the most expensive Korean films ever made. The film has also grabbed attention for its international cast, featuring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell. The project also stars Korean actors like Hwang Jung-min and Jung Ho-yeon.
What are people saying about Hope?
Following the trailer release of the film, social media users have been flooding the internet with excitement.
ALSO READ | Keanu Reeves to lend voice for Japanese stop-motion action feature
One user wrote, “It’s hereeee! One of the buzziest festival darlings out of Cannes, Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller Hope drops a trailer!"
It’s
hereeee!!! #2 One of the buzziest festival darlings out of #Cannes, #NaHongJin ’s sci-fi thriller #HOPE,also acquired by #NEON, drops trailer! Starring #HwangJungmin, #Hoyeon, #AliciaVikander & #MichaelFassbender, Debuts on FALL 2026 pre awards Season! pic.twitter.com/x3UBtxq4J0
— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) May 18, 2026
Another shared, “2026 has to be one of the greatest years for Asian cinema. Not only are we getting classic films from John Woo, Ringo Lam, Takashi Miike, and Tsui Hark on physical media, but we’re also being spoiled by new classics like The Furious and HOPE on the big screen.”
Someone else added, “Hope (2026) is looking mighty good! A real surprise in my eyes — and a damn good one at that. This comes from legendary director Na Hong-jin (The Wailing). The trailer has me properly hyped. Dark, intense, and it feels like he’s going even bigger this time. Who else got surprised by how strong this looks?”
???? Hope (2026) is looking mighty good!
A real surprise in my eyes — and a damn good one at that. This comes from legendary director Na Hong-jin (The Wailing).
The trailer has me properly hyped. Dark, intense, and it feels like he’s going even bigger this time. ????
Releasing… pic.twitter.com/Gkb8gGQmhN
— Light | Gamers Enclave (@light47) May 18, 2026
Another fan stated, “From what it seems, it has surprised in Cannes, and that's no surprise. Na Hong-jin returns after The Chaser and The Wailing with #Hope (2026). Aliens, paranoia, and tension in a proposal that, beyond the sci-fi, promises to plunge us into a genuine nightmare.”
ALSO READ | Peddi trailer out: Ram Charan is raw, ruthless and absolutely unstoppableHow to watch the film?
Following its successful premiere at Cannes on May 17, Hope is scheduled to release in South Korea in the fall of 2026.
Na Hong-jin hints at a sequel
During a press conference on Monday, the director revealed that a sequel is already in the works. “I think you can readily imagine this sequel. And there’s a script that’s already been done that I’d like to shoot. So, if I have the opportunity, I would indeed make a sequel, if possible,” he shared, as quoted by Variety.
Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, Hope centres on a village police chief and his rookie partner, who must defend their local community from a mysterious creature after wildfires sever all communication.
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