Hope (호프) is director Na Hong-jin's first film in a decade, an epic sci-fi action thriller that premiered in competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival before becoming one of the biggest Korean box office openings of the year. This profile covers the film's plot, cast, its reception at Cannes, and the record-setting run it's had in Korean theaters since its July 2026 release.
What Hope Is About
The story is set in the remote village of Hope Harbor, near Korea's heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone. When reports come in of a tiger sighting near the isolated town, local police chief Beom-seok and officer Seong-ae find themselves defending a village populated mostly by elderly residents after reinforcements are pulled away to fight a wildfire and communication with the outside world is cut off. Meanwhile, in the surrounding mountains, a group led by Seong-gi sets out to track down the supposed creature, only to find themselves being hunted by something far stranger than a wild animal. Small misunderstandings born from confusion and fear escalate into open conflict between the villagers, eventually spiraling into a tragedy on a far larger, more cosmic scale than anyone anticipated.
Cast and Crew
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director / Writer | Na Hong-jin |
| Beom-seok | Hwang Jung-min |
| Seong-gi | Zo In-sung |
| Seong-ae | Jung Ho-yeon (Hoyeon) |
| International cast | Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender |
| Cinematography | Hong Kyung-pyo |
| Music | Michael Abels |
Cannes Reception
Hope had its world premiere in competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2026, where it was in contention for the Palme d'Or. Reports from the premiere described the film receiving a roughly seven-minute standing ovation. Critical response highlighted Na Hong-jin's direction of the film's action sequences, while some reviews were more critical of its visual effects work. The film also marks a notable milestone in Na's career: with Hope, all four of his feature films — The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, The Wailing, and now Hope — have each been invited to screen at Cannes.
Recent News: A Record-Setting Box Office Run
Hope opened in South Korean theaters on July 15, 2026, and quickly became one of the year's biggest box office stories, setting the record for the highest single-day opening of any Korean film released in 2026. It passed 1 million admissions by July 17, crossed 2 million by July 20, and reached roughly 3 million by July 25 — reportedly reaching each of those milestones faster than any other release that year. The film is scheduled for a US theatrical release through Neon on September 9, 2026.
Director's Background
Hope marks Na Hong-jin's fourth feature film and his first in ten years, following 2016's The Wailing. He's previously been credited with reshaping Korean thriller filmmaking through The Chaser and The Yellow Sea, and Hope represents his first venture into science fiction after a career built largely around grounded crime and occult thrillers.
FAQ
What is Hope about?
It follows a village near Korea's DMZ that descends into chaos after what begins as a reported tiger sighting turns into an encounter with something far stranger, escalating into a larger conflict among the villagers and beyond.
Who directed Hope?
Na Hong-jin, known for The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, and The Wailing, wrote and directed the film — his first feature in a decade.
Did Hope premiere at Cannes?
Yes. It premiered in competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2026, where it was considered for the Palme d'Or.
How well did Hope perform at the box office?
It set the record for the biggest single-day opening of any Korean film in 2026 and reached roughly 3 million admissions within about ten days of its July 15 release.