TIFF 2026 Review: Hope – “the production value is flawless”

What is initially taken as a wild animal going on a rampage in the remote South Korean village of Hope Harbor becomes an escalating conflict that is cosmic in nature

The mutilated corpse of an animal sparks mischievous rumours that a tiger is on the loose but the situation worsens when human inhabitants start to become victims.  Police Chief Bum-seok is bewildered by it all and finds himself driving and running through the maze-like streets following the mounting carnage and destruction.  The polar opposite is his second cousin Sung-ki, an experienced hunter with a cool disposition and methodical approach to tracking the threat to the village in a nearby forest.  The action becomes high-octane when the adversaries are revealed to be massive extraterrestrial beings that can move at superhuman speed, ruthless and undaunted by the physical damage that is inflicted upon them.

A funny moment occurs when a terrified Police Chief Bum-seok gets called out for not moving on the count of three as it is a very human response to the situation and as result serves as a much needed pressure release valve.  There are the WTF situations, such as a thrown body moving with so such velocity that on impact causes a decapitation.  Let us not forget thrilling character introductions with rookie police officer Song-Ai going into full Sarah Connor bravo mode upon arriving on the scene.  Happenstance moments occur throughout like an unceremonious death that brings a chase to a sudden conclusion.  As for the aliens, their most surprising and awe-inspiring aspect is a crazy speed that would make a bullet train resemble a coal-burning locomotive.

When it comes to the action choreography, location dressing and camerawork, the production value is flawless.  The performances of Hwang Jung-min, Zo in-sung and Hoyeon serve as the emotional core.  In some ways, the lead-up to the big alien reveal is more impactful with cars and bodies get tossed around as your imagination fills in the gaps.  The police car chase that leads to a truck accident is a standout sequence as it is a nonstop adrenaline rush.  Full marks to filmmaker Na Hong-jin for not treating the extraterrestrial adversaries as simply rage machines but reacting to a callous event which leads to a misunderstanding that spirals out of control.  As for the creature design one cannot help think of the Hulk via Stranger Things and Prometheus with the facial features really resembling the high-profile Hollywood talent hired to do the mocap performances.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10-20, 2026, and for more information visit tiff.net.   

Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada; he can be found at LinkedIn.