As the veil between our world and that of spirits continues to thin on the big screen, Director Jang Jae Hyun’s latest venture, “Exhuma,” weaves a tapestry of supernatural terror, expertly interlaced with the deep wounds of a traumatic national history. This film has captivated audiences across South Korea, marking itself as the nation’s most significant blockbuster to date. Now, after sending chills down the spines of viewers in Vietnam, Indonesia, and North America, “Exhuma” makes its much-anticipated debut in India.
The opening scenes transport us to Los Angeles, where Park Ji-yong, played by Kim Jae-chul, a man carrying the weight of his Korean American identity, reaches out for the help of two shamans to treat his ailing infant. Hwa Rim and her assistant Bong Gil, played by Kim Go Eun and Lee Do Hyun respectively, soon encounter an enigmatic force encircling the child. Investigation reveals that the malevolent energy emanates from the grandfather of the family, a man of significant influence during Korea’s colonial occupation by the Japanese.
It is soon apparent that the resolution requires venturing back to the homeland – to exhume the grave of the contentious ancestor buried in Korea. To aid in this daunting task, Hwa Rim recruits a renowned geomancer, Kim Sang Duk, and a funeral director simply known as Ko, portrayed by Yoo Hai-jin. Their journey leads them to a secluded mountainside grave shrouded in mystery and marked by strange symbols, igniting a foreboding tension.
Sang Duk issues a chilling omen: disturbing the grave could unleash dire consequences upon them all. Regardless of this sinister warning, the team proceeds, with Hwa Rim conducting a ritual intended to pacify the spirits. However, their efforts are cut short as a greedy associate prematurely breaches the sepulcher, inadvertently releasing a vengeance-thirsty specter that thrusts chaos into the realm of the living. Faced with this unforeseen spirit, beyond the capability of Hwa Rim to suppress, it is discovered that the source of its rage is intrinsically woven into Korea’s dark colonial past with Japan.
Director Jang offers a multi-layered narrative that surpasses generic haunted visuals and leaps into a domain that defies basic reasoning. He seamlessly stitches together the fabric of Korea’s turbulent history, exploring how the scars of colonialism not only linger within a family’s lineage but also etch themselves into the nation’s very soul.
The performances shine just as intensely as the story they bring to life. Choi Min-sik, known globally for his previous roles including “Old Boy,” once again confirms his reputation as a titan of the acting world, delivering a performance suffused with haunting perfection. Alongside him, Kim Go Eun and Lee Do Hyun embody their roles with equal parts vulnerability and strength, showcasing the complexities of their characters that even diviners cannot shield themselves from mortal fears and uncertainties.
“Exhuma” is a masterfully constructed cinematic experience that captivates audiences with its chilling suspense and profound narrative. This is not just a ghost story; it is a reflection of a culture grappling with its painful legacy, a family facing its ancestral demons, and a spellbinding exploration of the human spirit that stands testimony to the power of artful storytelling.
Icons of the craft, Choi Min-sik, Kim Go Eun, and Lee Do Hyun deliver riveting performances that engrave their characters into the minds of their viewers. Through their uninhibited portrayals, they highlight that even the most powerful diviners are not immune to the ethereal assaults they contend with.
A spectral narrative of the highest order, “Exhuma” is a journey that defies simple thrills, diving deep into the human psyche and historical abyss to reveal a story that terrifies as much as it resonates. With an exemplary four out of five stars, viewers are invited to partake in a cinematic experience that will leave hearts pounding and minds racing long after the lights come up.
