Neon has released a new trailer for Hope, the latest film from acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin (The Chaser, The Wailing), offering another look at what could be one of the year’s most unique and exciting genre movies.
Hope made a major impression when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where our own Chris Bumbray called it one of the festival’s standout films. In his 9/10 review, he wrote that Hope is “one of the most brilliantly executed action films in recent memory, with the Croisette having not seen this much carnage since Fury Road. It’s one of a kind, and a total blast that will no doubt become an instant classic as far as South Korean cult cinema goes.” He also said, “Even if the VFX aren’t perfect, the bravura filmmaking is so dazzling you’ll forgive that shortcoming quickly enough.“
In Hope, the police chief (Hwang Jung-min) of a small village near the Korean DMZ must confront a group of mysterious creatures wreaking havoc on the community. Alongside a rookie officer (Hoyeon) and a seasoned hunter (Zo In-sung), he discovers that the deadly threat tearing the town apart may be something entirely otherworldly. Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell also star.
Before its Cannes debut, Neon acquired North American distribution rights and will release the film in theaters on September 9.
Director Na Hong-jin has already hinted that he has a sequel in mind. During Cannes, he revealed that a script has already been completed and said he would “indeed make a sequel if possible” should the opportunity arise.
Speaking about joining the project, Alicia Vikander explained that she immediately accepted after previously hoping to collaborate with Na, calling him “incredible” and “such a visionary.” Michael Fassbender joked that he signed on because “Alicia told me to do it.”
Based on both trailers and the enthusiastic response out of Cannes, Hope is shaping up to be one of the fall’s most intriguing genre releases. The latest trailer only reinforces that impression.
Check out the new trailer above, and let us know if Hope is on your must-watch list this fall.