The film 'Hope' is receiving mixed reviews from audiences early in its theatrical run.
Released on July 15, 'Hope' drew 330,000 viewers on its first day, marking the highest opening day attendance for any film released in 2026. However, opinions among those who have seen the movie are sharply divided.
Following its initial unveiling at the Cannes Film Festival last May, 'Hope' drew reactions from foreign media such as "a crazy movie" and "I don't know what I just watched." The response from domestic audiences has been largely similar. This sense of bewilderment encompasses both pleasure and discomfort.
Those who praised the film were enthusiastic about its scale, which is rarely seen in Korean cinema, and the action sequences that provided the speed and thrill of riding a roller coaster. Conversely, those who criticized the film pointed to a lack of narrative coherence and density, as well as an unfriendly ending. Criticism regarding the quality of the computer-generated imagery (CGI), which had been mentioned since the Cannes Film Festival, was a common point of contention.
Most of director Na Hong-jin's films have seen divided opinions early in their release. While they are now remembered mostly for their acclaim, 'The Chaser,' 'The Yellow Sea,' and 'The Wailing' all faced a mix of fervent fans and harsh critics upon their initial release.
Of course, the temperature difference for 'Hope' is greater than for those three previous films. Not only has director Na Hong-jin ventured into a genre he has never attempted before, but the high expectations for a blockbuster with a budget nearing 70 billion won have led to a stark divide between satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Nevertheless, the outlook for 'Hope' at the box office is bright. The advance ticket reservation rate has reached 61.4%, with over 550,000 tickets sold. This trend is expected to continue for the time being, driven by audience expectations for the brand that is Na Hong-jin. Moreover, now that 'Hope' has been unveiled, it has become the center of attention, for better or for worse.
Korean audiences have a tendency not to ignore a highly anticipated event. The new film from director Na Hong-jin, released after a 10-year hiatus, is being labeled as both a problematic work and a bizarre masterpiece from its first day. The audience's desire to see it for themselves is expected to be the driving force behind maintaining the reservation rate for 'Hope'.
(Reported by Kim Ji-hye | SBS Entertainment News)
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