Thescreescore – Na Hong-jin’s highly anticipated return to feature filmmaking, the sci-fi epic Hope, has landed in U.S. theaters, immediately sparking fervent discussion among cinephiles regarding its ambiguous conclusion and the potential for future installments. The visionary director, known for his chilling 2016 masterpiece The Wailing, recently offered his insights into the film’s ending and the likelihood of a sequel, alongside star Hoyeon, in an exclusive interview with Tatiana Hullender for thescreescore.com.
Hope plunges audiences into the remote village of Hope Harbor, where police chief Ko Bum-seok finds himself at the forefront of protecting his community from an enigmatic alien presence. Simultaneously, a group of hunters venturing deep into the forest discovers they have become the hunted. This marks Na Hong-jin’s first feature film in a decade, making its release a significant event for fans of his distinctive, genre-bending storytelling.
With Hope now captivating audiences, speculation about a continuation of its narrative is rife, largely fueled by its provocative final moments. While Na Hong-jin maintains that Hope functions effectively as a self-contained story, he has expressed an openness to revisiting its universe. He articulated that by the film’s conclusion, he perceived "very clearly two sides: the assailants versus the victims." In his interpretation, the human "assailants" deliver their final perspective, while the "victims" are afforded their own unique form of closure. This dynamic, he asserts, rendered additional narrative elements unnecessary for a complete ending.
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Na further elaborated on the emotional landscape of the film’s resolution. He suggested that the assailants, though not fully repentant, are grappling with a dawning realization of their actions and contemplating their future course. Conversely, the victims’ storyline culminates in a powerful affirmation of hope and resilience, signaling a forward trajectory despite their ordeal. For Na, these "clear, opposing sides" leave no room for ambiguity, making it an "adequate ending for the film."
Despite his conviction in the current film’s completeness, Na, who also penned the screenplay, acknowledged that a more expansive narrative might require "one or two more movies to tell the full story." However, he emphasized that any decision to pursue sequels would necessitate "more time to really think about" the direction, rather than rushing into production solely for commercial gain.
Adding another layer to the sequel debate, cast member Hoyeon, who portrays rookie police officer Sung-ae, shared her evolving perspective during the same interview conducted for thescreescore.com. Initially, she harbored a strong desire for a "Hope 2." Yet, following the film’s premiere in Korea, she observed audiences actively crafting their own intricate backstories for both the human and alien characters. This phenomenon led her to a more nuanced stance.
"It’s actually kind of cool to just let it happen, so I’m actually fine if we just end the story with Hope," Hoyeon explained, appreciating the organic fan engagement. However, she quickly added a caveat: "There’s a whole universe in this film, and I really want to present an ending for the story because it’s just so fun." Her personal "hope," she concluded, is indeed for a sequel.
Hope boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender, alongside Hoyeon.
Before its U.S. debut, Hope garnered significant international attention. It premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May, competing for the coveted Palme d’Or. Subsequently, it was released in South Korea and made appearances at the New York Asian Film Festival in July, where it clinched the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August.
Throughout its festival run and initial releases, Hope has consistently earned critical acclaim, achieving a "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a robust 80% critic score. Now, as U.S. audiences finally have the opportunity to experience this thought-provoking sci-fi thriller on the big screen, the discussion around its impactful ending and the tantalizing prospect of a sequel is sure to intensify.
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