‘Hope,’ Korea’s biggest gamble, comes to Cannes. Its director is ready to level up

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Na Hong-jin’s films are captivating – they’re both beautifully made and intensely gripping. His first film, “The Chaser” (2008), revitalized the serial killer thriller genre, reminiscent of David Fincher’s work. And “The Wailing” was even more ambitious, blending ghosts, demonic possession, and unsettling imagery with a thrilling, almost frantic energy.

It’s been ten years since Na started working on “Hope,” a large-scale sci-fi action film that has now been completed. The movie features impressive visual effects, stars Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, and is intended to launch a major franchise. While “Hope” will likely broaden Na’s audience beyond his current dedicated fanbase, it may also move him away from the smaller, more devoted following he’s built over the years.

Movies

Jane Schoenbrun’s film, “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” offered thrills reminiscent of slasher movies, and “Fatherland” brought actress Sandra Hüller – known for her role in “Anatomy of a Fall” – back to the screen.

Launching a film called “Hope” at the Cannes Film Festival feels a bit unexpected. Some might interpret this as a signal that the festival can thrive even without relying on big-budget Hollywood productions. Na is sitting in a lounge overlooking the French Riviera on a beautiful afternoon, the sky a striking shade of blue. He seems lost in thought, absentmindedly touching his goatee. Tonight marks the world premiere of his film.

Neon, the company behind six consecutive Palme d’Or-winning films, will release “Hope” in the United States after it premieres in South Korea this summer. This conversation has been shortened and clarified for readability, and contains major plot spoilers.

When did you realize that you had a big sci-fi alien monster movie in you?

I first had the idea for this story in Seoul back in 2017. It began with a simple image: someone watching the news in a diner. I kept thinking about that scene and started building the story around it. By 2018, I had finished a first draft.

When thinking about ‘Hope,’ many classic thrillers come to mind – films like ‘Jaws’ and John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing,’ as well as South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s ‘The Host.’ Did any of those movies influence your work?

Before we started filming, I made sure to watch as many movies in the genre as possible, including the ones you’ve pointed out. I especially focused on films made before the year 2000, and I really tried to capture that older style in my work.

It seems like you’re using Cannes as a moment to pivot or reinvent yourself. Is that intentional?

I didn’t plan for this to change my approach or the way I do things in the future. I honestly just focused on telling a story that people would enjoy and find easy to follow.

Why did you set the story in the demilitarized zone?

Considering the bigger picture, even small, seemingly unimportant events can have lasting consequences. I don’t believe any of the characters in the film are intentionally malicious. Ultimately, I wanted to explore the idea that tragedy can arise not from deliberate evil, but from a series of innocent actions.

Awards

In a preview of the Cannes Film Festival, film critics Amy Nicholson and Joshua Rothkopf talk about the limited number of American films at the festival, potential award winners, and other highlights.

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are fantastic in this film, playing surprisingly elegant aliens. What made you choose them for these roles?

As a huge movie fan, I always think a few steps ahead when I’m casting. With these alien characters, I had a whole backstory brewing, and honestly, I’m hoping to explore that further in a potential sequel. That’s why finding the right actors was so crucial. I really wanted them to become these aliens, so I had them learn a completely made-up language beforehand. They showed up on set already fluent, and it made a huge difference!

How important to you is comedy and releasing tension with laughs?

I put a lot of thought into my work, and it’s incredibly satisfying when it turns out as I envisioned. I’ve made a conscious effort to include this approach in various projects.

The movie often feels like a thrilling, fast-paced pursuit, with constant action and gunfire. But it made me wonder what the real point of the chase is. Is the film trying to get us to think about violence and our own roles in it?

Absolutely. I specifically designed two of the main chase sequences to show a shift from a justified pursuit to something more questionable. My goal was for the action itself to highlight that changing viewpoint.

I’ve shown films at Cannes before, but honestly, this one feels a little out of place there. And you’re smiling, so I guess you feel the same way! It’s just… maybe not the right fit for the vibe of that festival, you know?

I’m really nervous, but I truly appreciate your kindness and patience with me.

Why did it take you 10 years to make this film?

Right in the middle of all that, there was a pandemic, which obviously caused a lot of disruption. But honestly, I was working incredibly hard both before and after that period, and even with all that effort, it still took this long to complete. It’s a bit worrying, and I’m starting to wonder how things got to this point.

With “Hope,” are you saying goodbye to the filmmaker you once were?

Not at all. I was completely driven and passionate while making this film – I really wanted to see it succeed. In fact, I’ve already finished writing my next script.

Now that the pandemic is easing, things might move more quickly. Do you think this film could significantly influence Korean cinema?

It’s not my place to say that. I’m not sure. I want things to be freer.

Could this film be seen as a symbolic representation of current world events? Is it perhaps a call for greater empathy and understanding?

I don’t see this as asking for sympathy. I hope people can connect with the story, understand the characters’ feelings, and draw their own conclusions. Ultimately, what someone gets out of it is up to them.

Your dark humor flares on occasion. Did you make it a point to try to preserve that?

Well, you can’t just do something like this without having that. It’s not fun.

You know, watching this, it doesn’t give me those big, spectacle-driven vibes like “Avatar” did. It feels… different. It’s much more about discovery and just letting the story unfold. It really got me thinking – do I even believe in heroes anymore?

I do believe in heroes, but, as I tell in the story, anyone can be a hero.

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2026-05-18 01:31