---
title: "Hope"
year: 2026
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/hope"
fi1m_id: "hope"
imdb_id: "tt27369017"
tmdb_id: 1058424
wikidata_id: "Q117429496"
fi1m_score: 77
critics_score: 79
critics_reviews: 13
published: "2026-09-14"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:23.510643+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Hope (2026)

Directed by Na Hong-jin · 2h 37m · MPA R · Science Fiction, Mystery, Action

## Identity

Hope

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/hope
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** hope
- **IMDb ID:** tt27369017
- **TMDB ID:** 1058424
- **Wikidata ID:** Q117429496
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27369017/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1058424, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117429496

**Fi1m score: 77** · Critics 79 from 13 reviews

*In a sentence:* Two and a half hours of alien pursuit, and somehow there is still time for a lecture

> Na Hong-jin’s creature feature has enough wit and well-staged pursuit to make its excesses worth enduring. We recommend it for the action, with fair warning that the creatures are less convincing than the chases.

## Synopsis

A rural community faces alien creatures, and the response involves chases by car, on horseback and on foot. Those caught in the danger have courage, but their attempts to survive also expose their lack of competence. Na Hong-jin writes and directs a science-fiction mystery that combines action with black comedy. Hwang Jung-min plays Go Bum-seok, Zo In-sung plays Go Sung-ki and Hoyeon plays Lim Sung-ae. The cast also includes Alicia Vikander as J’aur, Michael Fassbender as Ma’veyyo and Taylor Russell as Ai’dovor.

## Review

*Hope* is a good monster film that goes on too long. Na Hong-jin, who writes and directs, keeps finding comedy in the efforts of a rural community to survive encounters with alien creatures. These people can be brave and still make a mess of things. That gives the action a welcome unpredictability, though 157 minutes is more pursuit than the story can comfortably sustain.

Hong Kyung-pyo’s cinematography makes those pursuits worth the trouble. The car, horse and foot chases have a fluidity that keeps the movement interesting even when the basic business is simply getting away. We laughed at the characters’ fumbling attempts to cope, then found ourselves frightened for them during the car and horse chases. The grace of the filming does not soften the danger. Na’s staging keeps the comedy inside the action.

Lee Hwo-kyoung’s production design is particularly effective in the first hour, giving the small-town setting a prominence it loses as the chases accumulate. That early attention to the place helps the comedy by making the emergency feel like an interruption to ordinary life. Hoyeon, as Lim Sung-ae, stands out in an ensemble willing to look foolish. The performances take the peril seriously enough for the humour to work, even when the characters’ decisions are difficult to admire.

Kim Sun-min’s editing keeps the opening stretch moving without squeezing out its comic interruptions. Michael Abels’s score adds further urgency, and the combination makes even a long run of danger surprisingly easy to sit through at first. As the pursuits accumulate, though, the same speed begins to wear. The individual sequences remain exciting, but the film needs a stronger reason to keep sending us into another one. A shorter cut could have preserved the excitement without asking quite so much of it.

The creatures themselves are less dependable. The digital effects can look dated beside the confidence of the live-action staging, and this matters in a film that asks us to spend so long fearing them. Na also burdens the later stretches with explanations of the science-fiction mythology, making the film harder work just when it should be finding a fresh reason to press on. We will leave the particulars alone; it is the amount of explanation, and its effect on the pace, that disappoints.

As a creature feature, *Hope* is strongest when it lets practical problems occupy its characters: danger is immediate, and their responses are fallible enough to keep us interested. Its broad humour belongs in that situation, and Na deserves credit for resisting the temptation to make everyone efficient and solemn. The uneven effects and repeated pursuits are worth tolerating for action staged with this much care. Choose it for an evening when a great deal of running and a certain amount of foolishness sound appealing, and allow for a long one.

*Fi1m score 77, published 14 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics greet Hope warmly, with praise clustering around Na Hong-jin’s action staging, dark humour and ability to keep a monster chase tense. The reviews repeatedly single out the first hour, where inventive stunts, small-town comedy and production design give the mayhem a setting worth exploring. Performances also earn approval, with Hoyeon singled out, though the choreography and camerawork attract the most consistent enthusiasm.

The reservations concern how long the film sustains that momentum: even favourable reviews find it overlong, with later stretches burdened by repetition and science-fiction explanations. Time Out is cooler, arguing that the early tension gives way to repetitive chases, while The New York Times finds the film more rewarding to consider than to watch despite admiring its craft. Digital effects divide opinion too: several critics find the creatures unconvincing, whereas Deadline praises the motion-capture work. The spread is chiefly between enthusiastic approval and qualified enjoyment.

## Straight answers

**Is Hope worth watching?**

*Hope* is worth watching for anyone who wants a long evening of chases and monsters, and we scored it 77. Na Hong-jin stages car, horse and foot pursuits with real fluidity, and the rural characters are brave and fallible enough to be funny. At 157 minutes it runs on too long, and the digital creatures look less convincing than the live action around them.

**How long is Hope, and what is it rated?**

*Hope* runs 2h 37m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a science fiction and mystery film.

**Where can I watch Hope in the US?**

*Hope* is available to buy from Amazon Prime Video from $24.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Hope, and is it suitable for children?**

*Hope* carries a 15 certificate in the UK and an R in the US, so it is not for younger children. The alien creatures are meant to be frightening, and the chases put people in sustained danger, though the film treats much of the peril as black comedy. Teenagers who can take a monster film should manage; the squeamish will find the fear more constant than graphic.

**How does Hope compare to Tremors?**

*Hope* is the bigger and longer film, and [*Tremors*](https://film.one/film/tremors) is the tighter one. Both find their comedy in ordinary people improvising under monstrous pressure, but Na Hong-jin's film burdens its later stretches with explanations of its mythology, where Ron Underwood's simply gets on with the suspense. Choose *Hope* for the scale and craft of its chases, and *Tremors* for a brisker evening in agreeable company.

**What should I watch after Hope?**

After *Hope*, try [*Tremors*](https://film.one/film/tremors) (1990, Fi1m 82): More local improvisation under monstrous pressure, with considerably less explaining to do. Then [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla) (1954, Fi1m 88): A sterner account of a monster emergency, with human fear given proper weight.

### Reviews we read (18)

- **Empire**, Harry Stainer (85/100, inferred): The critic calls it the most gonzo film of the year, an insane monster movie whose wild tonal shifts and relentless action sequences make it one of the year's most entertaining experiences. The leads, especially Hoyeon, stand out amid the mayhem, though imperfect CGI is noted as a caveat. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hope-2026/)
- **Sight and Sound** (85/100, inferred): The critic praises Na Hong-jin's big swing into a maximalist monster movie full of breathtaking car, horse and foot chases. It is brilliantly crafted and exhilarating action cinema, though not quite at the level of Mad Max: Fury Road. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/hope-big-bold-south-korean-creature-feature)
- **Little White Lies**, Iana Murray (80/100, inferred): The review highlights the rip-snorting creature feature's audacious stunts, fine action filmmaking and dark humour in a small ensemble of incompetent but brave characters. It notes the bonkers charm and eagerness for a sequel despite a late lore dump. [Read](https://lwlies.com/cannes-film-festival/hope-first-look-review)
- **Radio Times**, Patrick Cremona (4/5): The review calls it a flawed but utterly breathless action spectacle with expert staging, constant tension and comic relief in the first hour. It notes iffy CGI and overlength but says the enjoyable thrill is impossible to deny. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/hope-review/)
- **Screen Daily** (80/100, inferred): The critic describes a pedal-to-the-metal slaughterfest with breathless pace, gallows humour and exceptional production design in the strong first hour. It notes the running time may challenge some but praises the entertaining genre mash-up that questions allegiances. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/hope-review-a-rural-south-korean-community-comes-under-attack-in-na-hong-jins-thunderously-entertaining-genre-mash-up/5216856.article)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (80/100, inferred): The critic finds Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi action thriller an uproarious, rock’n’roll spectacle of alien-beast battling and car chases that delivers top-quality entertainment. The gonzo melee mixing digital effects with old-school thrills is singled out for praise, alongside the committed performances. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/may/18/hope-review-non-stop-gonzo-alien-battling-is-top-quality-entertainment)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (B): The critic finds the film a sprawling, fascinating sci-fi creature feature that is undeniably entertaining, especially in its strange creature reveal and first-half action. He notes that the second half sprawls into overkill with a comically unsatisfying ending. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/hope-review)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (3/5): The critic finds the first hour a blinder with terrific set design and tension but says the film loses its way with repetitive chases, iffy VFX and a head-scratcher ending that turns Prometheus-like. It is entertaining when sticking to Predator/Tremors territory. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hope-review-2026)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Robert Abele: The critic praises Na Hong-jin's ambitious bid for blockbuster-scale sci-fi with monster pandemonium, noting the nerve-jangling kineticism and grindhouse exhilaration in creature reveals. They single out the clash of high and low elements and the director's trademark humor about rural sensibilities. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-09-11/hope-review-south-korea-na-hong-jin-sci-fi-neon)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic calls it a wildly entertaining sci-fi creature feature with instant cult classic potential. He singles out the virtuoso camerawork, pulse-pounding score, adrenalized pacing, sharply drawn characters, and cheeky humor for praise. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hope-review-na-hong-jin-1236598154/)
- **The New Yorker**, Justin Chang: The review calls the film giddily entertaining yet overlong, praising its blend of violent small-town comedy and big-budget spectacle while noting a step down in finesse from prior works. It highlights the exhilarating yet bleak monster movie elements and the director's signature crude humor. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/09/14/hope-movie-review)
- **The New York Times**, Alissa Wilkinson: The critic found the film more interesting to think about than to watch, noting its familiar plot but often beautiful craft in action sequences. They singled out the graceful cinematography transforming chases into something balletically graceful, while criticizing the CGI creatures for looking dated. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/movies/hope-review.html)
- **Variety**, Jessica Kiang: The review describes the film as hilarious, unwieldy and overlong but among the best and funniest action movies for much of its runtime, with breathtakingly elegant action moviemaking. It singles out the brilliant action and bawdy humor while complaining about subpar CGI and silly mythology. [Read](https://variety.com/2026/film/reviews/hope-review-na-hong-jin-1236750496/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the nonstop action sci-fi alien monster mash that out-Hollywoods Hollywood films. They single out the spectacular car/horse/alien chase sequences and motion-capture effects for praise. [Read](https://deadline.com/2026/05/hope-review-aliens-vs-south-koreans-cannes-film-festival-1236913546/)
- **The Wrap** (90/100, inferred): The critic calls it a masterful monster movie and all-time great action film that leaps between genres. They single out the well-choreographed action sequences and Hoyeon's star-making performance for praise. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/hope-review-na-hong-jin-monster-movie-cannes/)
- **Collider**, Therese Lacson (8/10): The critic finds the film a chaotic, violent, and hilarious monster movie that excels in its first half with inventive action, situational comedy, and a strong monster reveal. It stumbles in the third act by expanding too broadly into high-concept sci-fi territory, causing the pace to drag. [Read](https://collider.com/hope-movie-review-cannes-2026-sci-fi-alien-invasion/)
- **The Playlist**, Rafa Sales Ross (B): The critic finds the film a wild mix of monster-movie suspense, broad comedy, and blockbuster scale that mostly lands despite a dragging middle section. Praises the ambitious sci-fi, comedic timing, and big-screen thrills. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/hope-review-na-hong-jin-sci-fi-crowdpleaser-cannes-20260518/)
- **/Film**, Jeremy Mathai (6.5/10): The review calls it a memorable, idiosyncratic genre-defying epic with a transcendent first act of intense action and horror, but criticizes the overstuffed later parts, long runtime, and sequel setup. Highlights the bold approach and sensory overload in the opening. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/2250538/hope-2026-movie-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Na Hong-jin
- **Director:** Na Hong-jin
- **Writer:** Na Hong-jin
- **Cinematography:** Hong Kyung-pyo
- **Editor:** Kim Seon-min
- **Music:** Michael Abels
- **Production design:** Lee Hwo-kyoung
- **Costume design:** Cho Hee-ran
- **Producer:** Na Hong-jin, Saemi Kim, Saerom Kim
- **Cast:** Hwang Jung-min as Go Bum-seok; Zo In-sung as Go Sung-ki; Jung Ho-yeon as Lim Sung-ae; Alicia Vikander as J'aur; Michael Fassbender as Ma'veyyo; Taylor Russell as Ai'dovor; Cameron Britton as Va'migere; Lee Sang-hee as Nak-yeon
- **Runtime:** 2h 37m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 9 September 2026
- **Genres:** Science Fiction, Mystery, Action
- **Budget:** $40 million
- **Box office:** $34 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5jcEBVBEbQ

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: buy $24.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-14.*

Also available in: CA, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Tremors* (1990), Fi1m 82: More local improvisation under monstrous pressure, with considerably less explaining to do. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/tremors.md)
- *The Host* (2006): Family foolishness and creature attacks, with stronger reasons to care about the humans.
- *Grabbers* (2012): An Irish creature comedy that makes human impracticality part of the survival plan.
- *Troll Hunter* (2010): Norwegian monster trouble handled with dry humour and a working man’s impatience.
- *Godzilla* (1954), Fi1m 88: A sterner account of a monster emergency, with human fear given proper weight. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/godzilla.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/hope