Hope Premieres at Cannes to Extended Standing Ovation

Na Hong-jin's sci-fi action film received a six-to-seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes, with Neon scheduling a fall 2026 theatrical release.

Plot and Setting

Set in the fictional village of "Hope Harbor," a remote community near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the film begins when police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) receives reports from local youths that a tiger has been spotted. The creature initially appears to be a tiger but is later revealed to be a hostile alien infiltrator.

According to the official synopsis, the village erupts into panic, forcing Bum-seok to confront a reality beyond belief. The story follows Bum-seok and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) as they confront the creature. As the film progresses, it is revealed that there are multiple hostile infiltrators, not just one.

Key Plot Points

• The opening depicts the discovery of a mutilated bull with claw marks, reported by a group of five hunters led by Sung-ki (Zo In-sung).
• Bum-seok initially dismisses the possibility of a tiger due to barbed wire and landmines.
• The creature is first glimpsed approximately 45 minutes into the film.
• Sung-ae acquires military-grade weapons, though the source is not immediately disclosed.
• A scientist performs a necropsy on one creature using a chainsaw after standard tools fail.
• The violent attacks are caused by the actions of a human character (Eum Moon-suk).

Premiere and Audience Response

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Competition section, receiving a standing ovation reported as between six and seven minutes. Some audience members also applauded during three notable set-piece scenes. Audience reactions included laughter during a scene in which an elderly man describes encountering aliens. Director Na Hong-jin expressed gratitude to the audience and cast after the screening.

Cast

Production Details

• Screenplay and direction: Na Hong-jin
• Cinematography: Hong Kyung-pyo
• Editing: Kim Sunmin
• Score: Michael Abels
• Runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Budget reported to be larger than Na's previous film The Wailing

Distribution and Release

Neon acquired rights for North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia in April 2026. Mubi acquired rights for multiple territories including Latin America, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey ahead of Cannes. Neon has scheduled the film for theatrical release in fall 2026.

Critical Reception

Early reviews described the film as action-packed. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter characterized the film as "a wildly entertaining assault of turbo-charged thrills" and noted its daylight cinematography, pacing, and character development. Deadline's Pete Hammond stated it "out-Hollywoods anything of its kind made by Hollywood."

Director's Background

This is Na Hong-jin's fourth film to premiere at Cannes and his first in competition. His previous Cannes premieres include:

• The Chaser (2008, out of competition)
• The Yellow Sea (titled The Murderer in some markets, 2011, Un Certain Regard)
• The Wailing (also known as Goksung, 2016, out of competition)

Hope marks his first feature since The Wailing in 2016.