Exhuma (2024)

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.)

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Worth watching

Nowadays it’s hard to find a good horror movie that can be actually described as horror. And this one definitely was the one I was searching for. From the beginning to the end every character was good written and the actors’s perfomance was amazing.

About the horror elements, it was definitely 10/10. The story showed something different and unexpected, every moment and scene were really interesting. This movie showed that it’s not necessarily for a horror movie to be all blood and chasing, which make me give it 10/10 about it. Strongly recommend to watch it.

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Just wow

i didnt go into this expecting much so it's nice to say i was pleasently suprised by how well done this was and how engaging it is. from the acting to the plot to all the suprises and twists, it kept my attention the whole 2 hours (hard to do). i loved every part of it. definitely reccommend
저는 이 영화에서 큰 기대를 하지 않았기 때문에 기분 좋게 놀랐다고 말할 수 있어서 좋습니다. 매우 훌륭하고 매력적입니다. 연기부터 줄거리, 모든 놀라움과 반전에 이르기까지 모든 것이 훌륭했습니다. 2시간 내내 저의 주의를 끌었습니다(하기 힘든 일). 저는 모든 부분이 마음에 들었습니다. 저는 이 영화를 꼭 추천합니다

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YOU SAW THE STILLS TOO HUH????

Decided to wath this because i was baited by that plane photo. I also happen to love both leads, esp LDH, seeing him all tatted up was just the icing on the cake.

Anyway,
If you spook easily, you have heart issues or anything related to these, please stay away.

The story was fantastic, well brought out, and you could follow it without having to pause and do the distant stare into an unseen camera because you cannot figure out what the hell is going on.
I actually got a little scared during the rituals and did a little google search to see if viewers were somewhat protected because apparently the chants were real.
I could relate to some of the context because where am from, weird things do happen if your deceased hates his resting place. I'm generally not superstitious but some things I do respect despite having no knowledge whatsoever, that being said, please watch this movie with an open mind...you'd enjoy it more.

KGE could shaman me anytime, girl worked that role I almost believed it. Also...WHO DID HER HAIR????????????? I LOVE YOUUUUUU.

WHO IN THE FUCKING HELL FINDS A GIANT ASS COFFIN SHOVED INTO THE EARTH WRAPPED IN BARBED WIRE AND THINKS...hmmm...let's pull it out. mf even had someone buried on top of him for crying out loud.
AHJUSSI!!!! SOMETHINGS WE DON'T DO EVEN FOR THE PLOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ending was spectacular, and ending the giant samurai with blood drenched wood was so girly-boss of the geomancer... I do have a question though? Why did was he bleeding towards the end????
Is there part 2????????

Unpopular opinion... hearing the Monks name should have been the first sign to get the hell out ...fuck 500 million...wait no 500 million could have me vibing with the ghost....butttttt.

P.S
WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING WEIRD, A WEIRD FOREST WITH WEIRD PLANTS AND WEIRD FOXES AND A WEIRD SNAKE WITH A HUMAN HEAD....YOU DIDN'T SEE SHIT, TURN AROUND AND WALK YOUR ASS BACK HOME.

Thank you for reading my rant...sorry my review..

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Between the living and the dead

Exhuma is an explosive mixture of south korean folklore and mythicism. It effectively evokes the universal dread and mystery regarding the afterlife.

Our group of leading characters are the perfect bridge between the spiritual and supernatural, never quite here or there, always between the two worlds. Great atmosphere, never looses the steam, with memorable moments.

But then it reaches the mid point of the film. This is a strong story, but the uneasiness and tension goes away, and never quite reaches the same high as the first half.

This film is ambitious and creative. The cinematography outstanding and visually delivering the eerie emotions you are supposed to feel in every scene. It helps that the effects are mostly practical as well, which it's marvelous to watch nowadays.

Horror film fans will be satisfied but this story is more of a mix of genres. There are no traditional jump scares but very well crafted world building and character development that will immerse you in the film experience.

I do recommend watching this film without knowing anything about the story or the characters for a bigger impact.

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I kept praying time would go slower so it doesn't end XD

I love everything about it from the outstanding cinematography to the perfectly "balanced" plot, it doesn't bore you with giving too much information and background story just enough to understand everything, and keeps you excited throughout the whole movie. I prefer these types of horror movies with eerie and gut-churning scenes with an interesting plot over movies with repetitive jumpscares and meaningless plots. The emotions the cast conveyed with their brilliant acting made me drown in the movie as if I were watching a real-life event live.
Sadly I had to watch this at home I wish they displayed it at where I live I would 100% go watch this at a cinema.

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One word "OverHyped"

Exhuma is a tale of shamanism and exorcizing trauma. The 1st half of the movie sets up an atmosphere for you to get curious about what's waiting for you ahead as you expected they may explain the course of the action but here you get disappointed cuz without explaining the movie went ahead on another dimension of Korean/Japnese flok shamanism from handling the ghost to fighting with an Oni real quick.

Screenwriter and Director Jang Jae-hyun specializes in horror movies, and as such, he often leaves the mystery to the audience's interpretation.

In the 2nd half of the movie, you understand what is happening presently and Oni's past but many things are unexplained like what is the relation b/w ML and Fl are they a couple (least likely) or siblings or just working partners or senior/junior? while watching the movie It wasn't clear what the relation b/w the MLs and the two females who were in the hospital while Hwa Rim was dealing with the Oni. According to MDL, Oh Gwang Shim [Hwa Rim's senior] and Park Ja Hye [Hwa Rim's junior] explain.
You may ask why you don't understand while watching? Is that your first supernatural/horror movie?

Nope, I have watched so many supernatural/horror/folk/exorcism movies whether it's Korean, Japanese, Thai, Indian, or Hollywood but they bother to explain or give you the hint so you can understand. But the story was narrated without giving any hints of explaining "it is what it is" and what was the relation b/w the 1st ghost we saw (Grandpa Park) and the Oni wasn't explained! 🤔

Now what I like and dislike about this movie;

Cinematography: No doubt it is excellent cinematography and gives you the experience to the fullest. The graphics were good too.

Acting: The acting of both actors was top notch and you can see them as a shaman. Kim Go-Eun acting as a shaman was excellent while performing the exhumation. Lee Do-hyun's acting was also impressive as a hot shaman. The acting was the main element of this movie that kept you in your seat. you connect with the characters despite no backstory.

Story: As I said before, the story leaves many loopholes where we as an audience find difficulty connecting the dots. The mystery and the suspense in the story were well presented. This movie didn't have any jumpscares or maybe I didn't find any.

Styling: One more thing that I like is the styling and costume of both leads. Kim Go-Eun's clothing style and her aura, she was the whole mood. Also, Lee Do-hyun's tattoos and hair bun stole the show.

In conclusion, to understand this movie I had so many questions, Like; what was the Park family's secret? Who was Gisune? (I have known about the Kitsune) the grave robber's angle? Who possessed Bong Gil? That was confusing but I thought the General Oni(demon) possessed him. What kind of creature was that snake (Nure-onna) that was killed after the ritual?

I had to do some research and find I am not the only one who was confused thanks to that Reddit explanation I got my answers. If you don’t know much about Korean/Japanese history/shamanism it will be difficult to understand as well.

Without knowing the explanation I gave this movie 6.8 out of 10 for excellent acting, cast, and cinematography. Also, I can't deny the fact that this movie is Overhyped because of the cast. If you had to find an explanation outside of the movie then what to say?

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Intense and well-acted : I would love to follow those characters through a drama !

This thriller and horrific movie really gripped me. It follows a team of shaman and geoman who tackles paranormal issues, some necessiting exhumation of corpses as their customers are haunted by deceased family members. Far from taking an humoristic road, it is a very dark and frightening movie that really spooked me at times.

Despite its long length, the film remained captivating all over its various narrative arcs. The build up was good and the conclusion was strong. I would have liked a bit more of background around the goal of the antagonist as well as more flashbacks because the past story was incredibly interesting. So I would have wanted even more of that, as well as regarding the origin story of the main characters who shared a very good chemistry together.

Indeed, acting was great : Choi Min Shik, Kim Go Eun, Yoo Hae Jin and Lee Do Hyun did an incredible job. I totally believe their characters were skilled in handling and facing obscure forces. The rituals scenes, the encounter with the paranormal phenomenons, the way the characters behaved in dire situation...It was skillfully acted !

Production value was very high as well : the visual effect really worked on me. There were not really any scare jump but the tension steadily climbed over the course of the story, as the horror gets more and more proeminent. The soundtrack was good overall, fitting for the dire atmosphere.

I would recommend this to people looking for a thrilling horrific movie featuring shaman, corpse and exhumation. The gore level is rather low but the angst is pretty high. There are a lot of talk around death and people do get hurt and dies. So be mindful of the trigger if you have any. It is a quite long and intense movie, that might necessitate some breather to get through it in one go.

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