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Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ breaks records and splits audiences

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-03 17:33 UTC → 2026-09-09 18:38 UTC · added removed

Na Hong‑jin’s sci‑fi Hong-jin’s sci-fi action thriller “Hope” has maintained a record-setting run in South Korea following its wide release on 15 July 2026. The film, which follows a police chief and hunter confronting a mysterious creature near the DMZ, reached 3 million viewers in just 11 days, making it the fastest domestic release of the year. It is the most expensive Korean production to date, with a budget exceeding 500 billion won, and requires approximately 7 million viewers to reach profitability. Audience reaction remains polarized. While CGV ratings sit at 83% and Naver users average 7.3/10, 56% of viewers award the film a top score of 9–10, while 21% give it a 1–2 rating. Renowned director Bong Joon‑ho Joon-ho praised the film as “a daring, mad‑filled mad-filled cinematic storm.” Internationally, the film has gained momentum following its invitation to the 79th Cannes Film Festival and a Best Action Film award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival. In the United States, distributor Neon has confirmed a wide theatrical release for 9 September 2026, opening in 1,500 theaters. This marks Neon’s largest domestic release for a Korean-language film since “Parasite”. New details regarding the production reveal that the alien creatures are portrayed by actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell. Na Hong-jin, whose previous work includes “The Wailing”, described the project as a decade-long endeavor influenced by filmmakers such as the Coen Brothers and David Fincher. Critical reception in the U.S. has been mixed; while remains mixed, with some praise praising the suspenseful opening suspense and action, action while others have criticized criticize the CGI creature and the 2-hour and 40-minute runtime. Amidst this rollout, Na Hong-jin has indicated that a sequel script is already written should the film prove successful.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-09 18:38 UTC Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ breaks records and splits audiences
  2. 2026-09-03 17:33 UTC Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ breaks records and splits audiences
  3. 2026-08-21 18:25 UTC Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ breaks records and splits audiences
  4. 2026-07-26 08:03 UTC South Korean thriller “Hope” hits 3 M, wins award

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