Hope movie puts viewers at the center of moral dilemma

It’s far from rare to watch any sub-genre of sci-fi that does not result in divisive conversation to its viewers. Sci-fi - and horror - are the easiest ways to take any uncomfortable or conflicting topic in an attempt to spin the tail on its head to earn a place on every section of the spectrum. Especially with the reputation Korean horror has earned itself in the last decade and Hope does just that; only, not in the usual way we’ve grown accustomed to. 

Na Hong-jin’s blockbuster film is the first of its kind in Korea. Though we’re used to summer flicks, with bolstering budgets and large dedicated FX teams, this was new territory for Korea. Hong-jin has spoken of his preference to have long gaps in between his work, taking the time to begin writing Hope in 2018 while taking a kind of sabbatical in a small fishing town. His time there went on to inspire the film’s nearly isolated feeling, taking place in a similar town near the DMZ (the demilitarized zone).

The film had its premiere at Cannes, the fourth film of Hong-jin’s to be screened, which resulted in an initial reaction that was split down the middle.

It tells the story of several police officers and members of the town hunting, and being hunted, by an unknown creature within the forest. Its action is intense, keeping you on the very edge of your seat as the creature’s reveal is smartly kept aside for much longer than you’d anticipate. As we practically fly around town, while Police Chief Ko Bum-seok races back and forth in his car during multiple attempts to find the monster wreaking havoc, the sequences are more than worth it. 

In the time before the reveal of the human-like being that towers over the officer, and another town member who believes it to merely be a bear or wild animal, the suspension neatly builds upon itself. Chief Ko has several near-misses, only witnessing explosions and hearing screams of townsfolk meeting their end. If you’re willing to look the lackluster CGI aside, the final revealing shot of the creature is still horrifying. 

The creature is discovered to be an alien, after it is hit by a tanker truck that kills him and allows a local doctor to dissect the body. In the moments before it dies, Ko is struck with an admitted bout of confusion when he realizes the alien is crying. The feeling sits with him, and the audience, growing into guilt at a later reveal that the alien was not alone. 

There comes the introduction of not only a family of extraterrestrials, but also the knowledge that the deceased being was searching for its child. Those hunting the aliens offer themselves the comfort that the death was warranted; which arrives with more guilt when they go on to discover that a local had found the alien child and killed it, believing he could sell the body on the black market in the city. 

The conflict regarding the otherworldly invaders is one that abruptly comes with more kindness than expected, considering it comes immediately following many people in town dying at the hands of the aliens. There is genuine sorrow offered from Ko, and anger for the aliens upon realizing they are only trying to find a safe home and have now lost their child. It comes across as kind; the way any one person would react for an animal, or another person. And even then, the surviving members of the town still must keep their feelings aside for the true purpose of staying alive.

The aliens themselves, unknown to the human leads, appear to be running from a previous life. Their ship remains crashed within the forest, serving as their home away from home. It’s not a confusing story, as you can easily read between the lines and see that they hold a story that is certainly not a “simple” takeover of Earth.

Even with the complexity of humans and aliens only wishing to stay alive, it’s hard to deny that the further the alien storyline drives along, it comes too late. We’re only minutes away from the end of the runtime when they begin engaging in more clear dialogue that offers more insight into the life they’re running from, or at least the new life they’re searching for. It may serve in the story’s favor however, as Hong-jin has explained that there are sequels planned, though no current set date for production is on the page.

The easiest task to check off during a watch for Hope is going in knowing you’re in for an interesting conversation about which side is right - humans for wanting to stay alive, and aliens for wanting their family reconnected. Maybe the peek into the extraterrestrial side of the story could have come earlier, but maybe if we’re lucky, that sequel isn’t far away to answer the demands.