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South Korean director Na Hong-jin has released his latest film, a sci-fi creature thriller He hopesat the Cannes Film Festival and almost immediately after its premiere, the film generated buzz as a potential genre classic.
Na made his name for favorite genres like horror WailingAction and thriller films pursuer and Yellow sea Therefore, there was great interest in the director’s next novel project. The hype increased as the film entered main competition at Cannes and was snapped up by independent distributor Neon before the festival began. And the noise around He hopes It was then supercharged by early reactions on social media to the film’s Cannes premiere and the stunning teaser released by Neon on Sunday.
He hopes It is an epic science fiction film set in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. The story synopsis reads: “In the remote village of Hope Harbor in South Korea, Police Chief Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and Officer Song Ae (Hyun) are called to find a mysterious creature has wreaked havoc in the village. In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sungki (Zoo In-sung), set out to track down the monster only to find themselves hunted instead. But all is not as it seems, and perceptions that what begins with ignorance can sow the seeds of disaster, escalate through… Human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions.
The cast also includes Hollywood stars Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.
in He hopesCannes premiere, “Hollywood Reporter”The film correspondent wrote that the festival audience “cheered and applauded during the film’s three impressive segments—perhaps muting some of the response at the end of the two-hour and 40-minute epic.” The film then received a six-minute standing ovation when it ended.
THRLeading film critic David Rooney praised the film in his review outside of Cannes. “It’s a great feeling to know from the first frames of a film that you’re in the hands of a tenor auteur of this kind,” Rooney wrote. “The rare thriller that takes place almost entirely in broad daylight, Hope draws you in instantly with its gifted cinematography, pulse-pounding score, adrenaline-fueled pacing, and sharply drawn characters.”
Rooney’s view is consistent with the views of some other professional critics who have seen… He hopes In France, but it had its detractors, and the film currently holds a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 75 percent from just 12 reviews. Needless to say, it is still early, more full reviews of He hopes It is expected.
However, the reaction on social media from people who witnessed it He hopes In Cannes it ranges from unbridled astonishment to genuine bewilderment, a situation that is likely to spark interest in Na’s film.
Watch the early reaction to He hopes less.
I woke up from a hysterical night of entertainment at Cannes thinking about Na Hong-Jin’s HOPE, and just having it in competition at the festival. In its absurdity, it justified the entire trip to me.
— Sean Fennessey (@SeanFennessey) May 18, 2026
Na Hong-jin’s HOPE is a thrilling, crazy, adrenaline-pumping action ride from the first hour-long opening action to the end of its nearly three-hour runtime. The amount of production design, visual effects, stunts and voice work is… pic.twitter.com/VtCTw4j7fr
— Matt NeiliaCannes (@NextBestPicture) May 17, 2026
I have to believe that the CGI in Hope was incomplete and will be improved when it is officially released. The visual effects in the first half were shockingly bad, and indefensible; He improved greatly in the second half. I wonder if they’ll talk about that at tomorrow’s press conference.
— Brandon Lewis @can (@blewis1103) May 18, 2026
HOPE starts with an hour-long chase scene that’s absolutely wild and spirals into a crazy mix of relentless action, crazy sci-fi, gore, and humor. It’s all over the place, and often confusing (just wait until you see the “characters” Michael Fassbender and Alicia… pic.twitter.com/RtytiTAM7w
— FilmLand Empire (@FilmLandEmpire) May 17, 2026
#CAN26 “Hope” (Na Hong Jin). Le Premier Gros Choc de Cannes. The film’s particular vision of a horror film relies on the rhythm of a bucking horse meeting KO throughout the rest of the competition. He worked three hours ago without a single minute, absolute nonsense… pic.twitter.com/ueVMaysPbc
— Pascal Gavilet (@PascalGavilet) May 17, 2026
It’s official, Na Hong-jin’s HOPE has the loudest, most comprehensive response of any film at Cannes 2026. This really feels like an absurd midnight screening. That’s why, when the movie came to an end, I was so confused that… pic.twitter.com/sxixZZpsZ3
— Luke Hearfield in Cannes (@LukeHearfield) May 18, 2026
The first hour of HOPE is full force action cinema, with spectacle not seen since Mad Max: Fury Road, and some glorious Spielberg set pieces. It dangles in the middle, gets repetitive but the final chase brings the film back to the buzz again. Thin plot… huge cinema. It was… pic.twitter.com/3bfmfAW9gH
— Saulo Ferreira @Cannes (@saulocferreira) May 17, 2026
Hope rules! A Spielbergian sci-fi thriller via Korean black comedy, it opens with an hour-long action scene and builds to an exhilarating creature feature. A bit of War of the Realms, Aliens and Predator. Jung Ho-yeon has one of the greatest character introductions ever. explosion! pic.twitter.com/C1DRj51S54
— Karl Delosantos @Can (@karl_delo) May 17, 2026
Na Hong-jin’s Hope is a highly entertaining sci-fi film with two of the most exciting and suspenseful action scenes I’ve seen in a long time. The narrative itself doesn’t amount to much, complete with endless weirdness, but for now, this thing is fun pic.twitter.com/PcEY9gorpy
— Brian Rowe @Can (@mbrianrowe) May 17, 2026
HOPE hits the ground running and doesn’t let a 45-minute action sequence leave you breathless.
The Korean Kaiju movie setting turns into a serious case of “WTF am I watching?”
Flawed but fun and damned if this isn’t the most entertaining viewing in #Cannes yet pic.twitter.com/RJoroAIsd0— Dallas King (@DallasKing1138) May 17, 2026
Na Hong Jin’s hope wavered. There’s not much in terms of obvious substance, just a well-crafted action/monster movie. The host meets Eddington, or if Resident Evil is somehow a candidate for the Palme d’Or. Music by Michael Abels rips. Some of the visual effects are crunchy (patchy?). Strange conclusion. pic.twitter.com/MxgwwCbHCe
— Cody@can (@codymonster91) May 17, 2026
Hope: The biggest mystery of this year’s #Cannes is how so much dodgy CGI and illogical planning managed to make it into the Palme Contest, when there were so many more valuable options available. Na Hong-jin’s zoo of alien invaders runs rampant in a border town in the Korean Demilitarized Zone and… pic.twitter.com/qDw6UMSHuC
— Peter Howell 🖊 (@peterhowellfilm) May 18, 2026
Na Hong-jin’s HOPE was a lot of crazy and fun, especially in its lengthy opening. My first thought is, is it SÎRAT this year but via Jurassic Park-Alien-A Quiet Place? Baaad the CGI is unfortunate and the film requires a trim. But it still provided the transformation I needed. #He was
– Tomis Laffly (@TomiLaffly) May 18, 2026
HOPE is an exciting and crazy theatrical experience. As if RRR was doing cocaine mixed with sci-fi and ignited with jet fuel. The scene is incomprehensible in every way. In a way, it’s War of the Realms, Dune, and Aliens all rolled into one. I loved every second. pic.twitter.com/IPRJ9SUKCo
— Danny Jarabek @#Cannes2026 (@dtjcinema) May 17, 2026
HOPE FUCKING EPICCCCCC! Massive spectacle-driven cinema that makes it the best action film since FURY ROAD. 2 hours and 40 minutes of pure adrenaline. If you like kaiju movies and the host, you’ll love this as much as I did. #CAN2026 pic.twitter.com/E854in2Iid
— Sean Polman @#Cannes2026 (@bigtunaonfilm) May 17, 2026
Hope Di Na Hong Jin is exceptional. I couldn’t be more in the hall after FURY ROAD. Don’t lie too much, it will help you in the encounter between FURY ROAD, PREDATOR, ATTAQUE DES TITANS and the host. Leverage should be avoided for the sake of competition. #CAN26 pic.twitter.com/4o30IlGeKU
— Thomas Gerber (@Th_Gerber) May 17, 2026
I’m still trying to process hope . It’s basically a non-stop barrage of crazy action scenes that are wildly entertaining, but serve up a story with characters we know nothing about. Na Hong-jin aims to make his movie The Host or Mad Max: Fury Road, but this sounds more like Transformers. pic.twitter.com/APeO9NBu2r
— Ryan Casselman 🔜Cannes26 (@ryan_casselman) May 18, 2026
amazing. Once you are swept away by the wave that is Na Hong-Jin’s hope, there is no turning back. Despite the questionable visual effects and intensity, you can’t help but let out audible cheers and gasps for a movie experience that has to be seen to be believed. Is this in competition?! pic.twitter.com/R0Ti9e6IbB
— Nandita @#Cannes2026 (@deetsdoots) May 17, 2026
