Trailer drops for Na Hong-jin's 'Hope,' South Korea's most expensive film ever, ahead of July 15 domestic release

Trailer unveils alien chaos

Neon released the first full trailer for Na Hong-jin's "Hope" on July 9, offering a two-minute glimpse of the sci-fi action-thriller ahead of its September 9 North American release. The footage cuts between a devastated coastal village, galloping beasts, and a crashing alien spacecraft, setting a relentless pace. The film follows police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) as they investigate a creature terrorizing Hope Harbor, a remote town near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. A group of hunters led by Sung-ki (Zo In-sung) tracks the beast into the forest, only to become prey themselves.

A sci-fi alien monster mash... that never lets up for a minute of its two-hour, 40-minute running time and out-Hollywoods anything of its kind made by Hollywood.

Cannes premiere divides critics

"Hope" world premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, drawing a six-minute standing ovation and sharply polarized reviews. Some critics hailed it as an instant cult classic; others found it a disappointment after a strong opening. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney praised the film's "virtuoso camerawork, pulse-pounding score, adrenalized pacing and sharply drawn characters," while IndieWire's David Ehrlich wrote that the first third delivered "cartoonishly operatic spectacle" before becoming "a massive disappointment by the end."

The rare action thriller that takes place almost entirely in broad daylight, Hope pulls you in immediately with its virtuoso camerawork, pulse-pounding score, adrenalized pacing and sharply drawn characters.

Record budget and international cast

Produced by Forged Films and Plus M Entertainment, "Hope" carries a reported budget of ₩50 billion (about $33 million), making it the most expensive film ever produced in South Korea. The cast blends Korean stars with Hollywood names: Hwang Jung-min reunites with Na after "The Wailing," while "Squid Game" breakout Hoyeon plays a steely officer. Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton appear as aliens in supporting roles. Na has cited Steven Spielberg's "Duel" and "Jaws," as well as "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon," as inspirations for the film's action-driven style.

Global rollout and sequel plans

Plus M Entertainment will open "Hope" in South Korean theaters on July 15. Neon, which acquired North American, U.K., and Australian rights before Cannes, will release the film in the U.S. on September 9. Mubi later picked up rights for Latin America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey. Speaking at Cannes, Na revealed he has already written a script for a "Hope" sequel, signaling ambitions beyond a single installment.