Exhuma

Exhuma was a movie I was looking forward to seeing and had avoided learning anything about before I saw it.

I was mainly hopeful because of the cast.

It starts pretty strongly with a feeling of class from the acting to the production values.

The story wasn't clear at first but then I got my hopes up as the first grave is dug up.

However this part of the story seems to be wrapped up quite quickly with the cremation scene and it then delves into Korean and Japanese history with strong anti Japanese feeling.

Now I'm not familiar with the history of these countries to a great extent so maybe a bit of this stuff wasn't for me as an Englishman.

But I completely understood it, It was just an unexpected turn of the story and then the film devolves into some weird thriller full of special effects (admittedly well done) that would fit into more of a comic book style horror.

It's incredibly disjointed.

If anyone compares this film favourably with The Wailing, ignore them. The wailing is far far superior.

This film is worth a watch but don't expect a classic horror movie.

"Exhuma" is a horror gem that demands your attention, despite its seemingly long runtime. Trust me; the payoff is worth every minute.

The movie cleverly unfolds in distinct chapters, each packing its own mini-climax. This approach, rather than overwhelming us with a convoluted plot, allows for a detailed and engaging exploration of "smaller" stories. I found myself invested in every chapter, thanks to the intriguing mysteries woven into each one. The storytelling is top-notch, blending visual and narrative clues seamlessly, ensuring that even the casual viewer can follow along.

What sets "Exhuma" apart for me is its refreshing take on horror. Instead of relying on cheap jumpscares, the film opts for atmospheric horror that keeps you on edge while pulling you deeper into the story. It's a balance of terror and curiosity that's executed brilliantly.

Now, to be fair, there are moments where the narrative feels a tad disjointed, making it a bit challenging to follow. Yet, the film's redeeming quality lies in its refusal to bombard you with ghosts every second. It takes its time, allowing the story to breathe and unfold naturally.

In the end, "Exhuma" isn't just another horror flick; it's a journey that respects your time and delivers a story worth experiencing. So, ignore the runtime concerns, and let this movie grip you with its unique blend of chills and storytelling finesse.

Exhuma is a South Korean horror film that has garnered critical acclaim for its suspenseful atmosphere and exploration of Korean folklore. The narrative delves into themes of family history and hidden truths, uncovering a chilling mystery. As the characters investigate deeper, they encounter a series of unexplained events that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural. Exhuma has been lauded for its unique blend of Korean folklore with classic horror tropes. This fresh approach is said to create a suspenseful and unsettling cinematic experience. Critics have also commended the film's slow-burn pacing, which keeps viewers engaged as the mystery gradually unfolds. Exhuma is likely to appeal to fans of horror cinema who enjoy films that weave cultural themes into their narratives.

"Kim" (Choi Min-sik) is what they call a geomancer. He advises people on the best places for them to bury their loved ones. It's all about feng shui. Woebetide anyone who gets it wrong for a disgruntled ancestor can come back and visit retribution on anyone who mucks that process up - just ask the grandchild who though he would retain grandma's false teeth as as souvenir! Anyway, the wealthy "Park" (Kim Jae-cheol) and his family appear to have a secret that he and the more spiritual pairing of "Hwarim" (Kim Go-eun) and "Bong Gil" (Lee Do-hyun) might be able to help with. Even as far away as in the United States, his family are being tormented by a spirit. They are all led to a remote grave atop a hill that is marked simply by a plain gravestone with no name, just some seemingly random numbers. The buried man was of some importance so the fact that his grave was not ideally placed (only 65/100 on the best plot to have scale) arouses suspicion. They proceed to exhume the uniquely carved juniper coffin and decide to cremate it, but it's considered unlucky to do this in wet weather so leaving it respectfully dressed, plan to complete the process in the morning. This is their first mistake for overnight it falls prey to an inquisitive member of their team who releases an even more menacing entity bent on revenge on all those who left him at 65%! That is just the start of their woes, though. Returning to the grave for a ritual, they discover an even larger, chain-wrapped, box buried vertically - and one with no name, neither! It's now we head straight into "Mummy" mode and the adventure really does pick up. Can they identify this leviathan of menace and terror and thwart it's centuries-old battle plan? I did quite enjoy this. It taps into a fascinating mix of mysticism and legend whilst adding a dose of modern day cynical exploitation (they get paid over $500,000 for their relocation "fee") and as the story moves along you wouldn't want to be a chicken - or a pig, either! The largely dark and wet scenarios work well with the sparing usual of visual effects and a strong ensemble performance that keeps the story of dreams and nightmares moving along well for 2¼ hours of well made and at times quite scary ancient horror.

Good movie and good acting. The part I liked was the depiction of the culture and the part I didn't like was that it wasn't scary. The potential of this movie is amazing and can be made even scarier. It's nice to be able to follow a neat and structured storyline. I had to endure going to the toilet so I wouldn't miss a scene. However, when I saw the ghost, I thought I was seeing the enemy of Resident Evil. For psychics and fengshui experts this movie is okay to watch. Thank you for making such a good movie, for me this is more of a semi-horror drama movie. Let's make a scarier movie. Happy watching.