Exhuma

Good buildups but there's a tone shift

Spectacular cinematography and insane acting performances, the horror element is effective with a good amount of reasoning behind the plot, though the way it turns out at the end might be a little anticlimactic for some. The third act takes a weird tone shift after all the amazing buildups that were done earlier, more specifically its resolution part was given a superpower treatment instead of supernatural ones. Still, the historical and geopolitical backstory had lots of details which are quite logical, and their quality suspense holds well enough to make this an excellent movie overall.

Read More

Has you on the edge of your seat.

Its places you into the action right from the beginning and takes you on a journey that is full tilt from start to finish. I was lucky to see this in a cinema in New Zealand so if you can see it on the big screen I recommend you do so, its certainly just that much more immersive and impressive surrounded by a sea of strangers. There's some powerhouse performances from all the leads, I love Lee Do Hyun, so him and the subject matter was what drew me to the film. I think for me the only downside was this story seems like it could have been fleshed out more in a series rather then a movie, it felt like it was wrapped up too quickly for me at least. They hinted at the background of the main characters but you never felt completely invested in the horror they were facing because you weren't given enough information about them. The soundtrack is masterful and the cinematography sublime. I still very much recommend this film.

Read More

must watch

let's start by the cast, they could not have picked a better cast. their chemistry was just wonderful. they did so well. i felt so many things while watching the movie and the first ceremony scene gave me chills all over... so so good! i love how the had comedy (dark humor) all over, for example when mr. almost died and he said he was ready to go but then he thought oh my daughter's marriage. i was tearing up and that just cracked me up hahaha. every character did such an amazing job, and of course... kim goeun and lee dohyun never dissapoint. the ending was good but made wonder if there will be a sequel because of their unfinished business (their flashbacks etc.) either way, im satisfied with it. please, go and watch it if you have time and if your city is playing it. i feel like a movie theater experience will be even better.

Read More

You won't want to do anything else until you finish watching it.

• CINEMATOGRAPHY
This is one of the main points here, The cinematography was so beautiful and fabulous. I liked all the scenes and point of views, and everything.

• MUSIC
The music was on point for eveything, from the drumming for the exorcism to every intense moment, and then scary horrifying sound effects from time to time, it was perfect.

• STORY
The story was so good too. Showing about the history etc. And the movie's about Exorcism, Shamanism, Feng Shui, Buddhism and Christian too if you look at it. I didn't even know it before that a job of Geomancer exists. He tastes the soil and identify about the land. I got so immersed in it. The four characters work together their roles are different but they make a team and work together.
At first there was a family case, in which their grandfather's coffin ⚰️ was opened and he went on to a bloody killing streak of his descendants.
Then another a more bloodthirsty monster case came to light, but this is just my opinion that, in the end that (lord) died too easily, like it didn't fight back (well he was shown undefeatable). The ending was good, but just a doubt he died too easily.

• CASTING
The casting was perfect each actor was perfect. Kim Go Eun's performance was fabulous, her acting was so good and all other actors. I totally loved them.

I recommend this movie, 10/10.
Just that nothing else, Have a great day ahead.

Read More

Insanely thrilling

The overall buildup is amazing and had me on edge of my seat! Story was great and they made an amazing mixture of supernatural, folklore, shamanism.

The use of subtle horror rather than giving a physical face in some scenes was amazing and gave more thrill and suspense.

Each actor/actress pulled of their role perfectly - as expected of a star studded lineup!

The movie sets the tone perfectly ; despite having some scenes where it drops, but overall, a very good and enjoyable watch.

Side note: Lee Dohyun and Kim Goeun are so attractive in this film <3

Read More

Respect the Dead

The atmosphere of the film is haunting. The only film I could compare this to is "The Wailing". Exuma has elements of belief in Feng shui, Buddhism, Shamanism and even Christianity. And if the viewer believes, they are guaranteed to be terrified watching this. Personally, I was completely engaged with the film, and although I was aware that it was about paranormal stuff, I was convinced that it was real, which made the viewing experience very intense for me.

I was confused by how our main characters, in the first part of the film, routinely and even disrespectfully carry out their work, but when they are faced with the special task of digging up a problematic mysterious dead body in a coffin, they become completely dedicated to their work. As a priest, I also perform funerals daily and sometimes I am not completely concentrated, so this film encourages me to try, as much as possible, to give sincere respect and a dignified tribute to each deceased person and assist their eternal rest.

All in all, the actors did a great job. The sequence of the story changed its course throughout the film, but at the end we still see a meaningful unity that leads us to appreciate the cooperation and connection between the four main protagonists.

After the news of the film's success in Korean cinemas, I had high expectations for this and indeed, Exuma didn't disappoint.

Read More

definitely deserves a watch

this movie is a 10/10 for those who already know cultural elements related to shamanism and all about Korea and also the war history between Japan trying to colonise Korea and society during ww2 .
but this is gonna confuse the heck Outta ppl who don't hv interest in folklores and traditional values of any culture.
For me it was 10/10.. the careful merging of a families grief with an element of horror but more with the feels of those similar war stories I used to hear from my dad when I was small. Overall the whole movie kinda absorbs u in leaving you feel enchanted in some ways.

Read More

This movie isn’t for everyone… but it’s definitely for me.

To start off this review: if you don’t like films like Jordan Peele’s cinematic universe, Hereditary, or most of the films (esp horror films) coming out of A24 or other indie movie distributors, then this movie is definitely not for you.

This film takes a lot of artistic liberty, and presents itself as a arthouse film, and I definitely think it deserves that presentation. It feeds off of mainly showing and not telling the audience and is very lax with the pace it uses.

If you’re not familiar with shamanism and other indigenous Korean rituals, then this movie is also definitely not for you. I think if you’re also used to the more romanticized version of shamans that a lot of Kdramas have will not prepare you to the actual intesnity of some of the means they use (i.e. the pigs, slitting the throat of a chicken, dousing things in horse blood) and the way it is presented for the audience. There is gore and violence in this film, it reeks of death and mourning, and if you were expecting a less intense story of shamans (like The Matchmakers) then this film will shock you and make you uncomfortable. Those with a weak stomach should probably avoid this film since there is a lot of bodily harm, throwing up blood, and just in general a lot of blood.

Now that’s out of the way, I’m gonna talk wayyyyyy too much about how I love this film. If you’re autistic like me and like hearing endings, keep reading if you’re comfy, if you’re not I hope you have a good day!!

Exhuma is a perfect storyteller for the lives of all of the members of this ragtag group of traditional practitioners. (Maybe it’s my adolescent interest in Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service that made me excited to see a different type of indigenous mythology even if some of it is based on the same scripture.)

The film starts really slow, and I think it’s a perfect way to play out how all of the four main characters are connected to each other. Instead of just telling their relationship, especially between Hwarim and Bonggil to Sangdeok and Younggeun, as they are quite different people, it shows how they have a work relationship that is still friendly. Also their personalities are well displayed; Hwarim being someone who hides behind confidence and her own abilities, Bonggil as someone who may seem very servile but is quite brave, Sangdeok cares deeply about his family even if he doesn’t like that his daughter is marrying a German man (also he is a boomer I hope this helps explain so many things), and Yeonggeun is a very frugal undertaker who is quite cowardly unless in the face of money.

I think the family drama of the Park family is so good, even if for a bit you’re confused who is who in the family. (Since the film is through the lens of the group, it makes sense that we are only privy to a tiny bit of information about them.) There is an air of holding their breath about the grave of the patriarch’s great grandfather, and it had me guessing until the final reveal that he was a fascist who followed that Japanese annexation of Korea. It’s such a perfect blend of history, and of the fact a lot of rich people hide the atrocities of their ancestors. (But also the ghost wanting to take all of his children with him is so good when you realize he is angry that they left Korea for America.)

Also, the detail of a Japanese monk being the one to give him a burial, which was auspicious to him but terrible in Korean geomancy, is literally the icing on the cake. Though, after this the movie takes a very dark turn, and I think it still fits with the storyline especially when the reveal of the monk’s true identity, and Sangdeok finding out that the “grave robbers” were just geomancers.

The supernatural aspects genuinely interested me even if they weren’t really meant to be scary. It shifts the tone to more emotional, sentimental in the way we view these characters.

We see the biggest changes in Hwarim and Seongdeok, because the anima drastically changes the tone of the double internment. Bonggil getting hurt after trying to distract it and protect her, shakes her very deeply. When he is in the hospital she gets desperate, her confidence is gone and she stays by his side trying to bring him back. She takes risks that could kill all of them just to get him free from the anima, and feels terrible when Seongdeok gets hurt in the final battle.

Seongdeok gets obsessed with the plot and finding out what’s so wrong with it. He visits it multiple times in an attempt to figure out what he’s missing. The unknown draws him in and eventually gets him hurt, and he accepts death, until he realizes he wouldn’t get to see his daughter’s wedding.

I’m leaving so much out because I want whoever is reading this to find joy in some of the things I left out, hehe. Though, the ending is happy, and I’ve seen people confused by it and I wanted to say I think the ending was nice. It reminded me sort of like the ending of Extracurricular, in which it is left vague because they are marred by the experiences, but life goes on.

I also think that Lee Dohyun still playing one of the most normal characters but still being given his usual insanity was so good. This man goes 0-100 in five seconds and it’s why I love him. Great madman, will miss him dearly until he comes back from his compulsary service.

Damn this got long, I just love this movie a lot. Thank you anyone who reads this absolute essay of a review. I am mentally ill and love me some sad happy shit.

(edit: I also forgot to mention that there isn’t a “romance” plot but there is an obvious connection between Hwarim and Bonggil that I just refer to them as soulmates instead. They are each other’s confidence, and safety. They live together and have known each other since they were teens, they care very deeply about each other and I don’t think we need to label it.)

Read More