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Na Hong-jin’s Hope Premieres at Cannes to Ovation and Split Reviews

Festival response frames the film as a risky breakout for global release.

Overview

  • Hope, which premiered Sunday in Cannes Competition, drew a 6–7 minute standing ovation after its 160-minute sci‑fi action showcase.
  • Early reactions diverged, with many praising the breathless set pieces and daylight staging, while others cited the long runtime, tonal shifts, and uneven alien VFX.
  • Neon released the first teaser and set a fall 2026 theatrical window in its territories, as Mubi took multiple regions across Europe and Latin America.
  • Director Na Hong-jin said he has already written a sequel and wants to make it if the opportunity comes together.
  • Set in Hope Harbor near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the film follows a village in chaos after mysterious entities appear and stars Hwang Jung‑min, Zo In‑sung, Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikander.