Review - 'Excavating Graves and Repelling Ghosts'

"Exhuma: The Exorcist" became a box office sensation in both Korea and Vietnam thanks to its dramatic story about a curse surrounding an ancient tomb.

*This article contains spoilers for the movie.

Released in Vietnamese cinemas on March 15th, the film attracted a large audience from its early screenings, grossing 60 billion VND, according to Box Office - an independent box office monitoring unit. Globally, Exhuma is the highest-grossing Korean film of the year so far, with revenue exceeding 62 million USD.

Trailer for the movie 'Exhuma: Grave Robbery of the Demonic Creature'

Trailer for "Exhuma". Video : CGV

Returning five years after Svaha: The Sixth Finger , the hit 2009 film, director Jang Jae Hyun continues his pursuit of the supernatural genre. The story begins with Park Ji Yong, the eldest son of a wealthy family, seeking help from two shamans, Hwa Rim (Kim Go Eun) and Bong Gil (Lee Do Hyun), because his youngest son is in danger. The two shamans believe the strangeness stems from the family's ancestral tomb. Enticed by a generous reward, they team up with feng shui master Kim Sang Deok (Choi Min Sik) and funeral expert Yong Geun (Yoo Hae In) to excavate the tomb in a remote mountainous area near the Korean-North Korean border.

During the process of lifting the coffin, an entity is unleashed, attacking the family members. After cremating the coffin, they thought the evil force had been stopped, but mysterious events continue to unfold. The more they investigate, the more the group realizes the mystery stems from a centuries-old feud. At this point, another powerful evil spirit is rising, forcing the quartet to confront a threat to the very survival of their loved ones.

Kim Sang Deok (Choi Min Sik) and Yong Geun (Yoo Hae In) examine the ancient tomb before excavation. Photo: Showbiz

The script's appeal lies primarily in its blend of horror, mystery, and historical elements. Exorcism, a genre popular in Hollywood, hasn't received as much attention in Korean cinema as action or psychological comedy films. Leveraging his strength in spiritual themes, Jang Jae Hyun leads the audience through a multi-chapter narrative. A mysterious atmosphere is established from the beginning with scenes of ancient tomb excavations and shamanic rituals, providing a brief introduction to the characters' backgrounds.

Instead of relying on jump scares, the film delves into religious details to convince viewers of the story. One of the most striking scenes is the exorcist Hwa Rim (Kim Go Eun) performing an exorcism while exhuming a grave. Dressed in traditional attire, to the resounding beat of drums, Hwa Rim performs a ritual sword dance around the sacrificial offerings. The director focuses on close-ups of her face stained red with animal blood, or her forceful actions of slashing at the pig carcass.

Kim Go Eun (right) impressed with her portrayal of the shaman Hwa Rim. Photo: Showbiz.

Unlike Western works, Exhuma is deeply rooted in East Asian culture, incorporating concepts of the five elements (Wu Xing) and their interactions. The process of excavating graves and the belief that choosing an inauspicious location can affect good fortune are meticulously explained through the dialogue of the feng shui master Kim Sang Deok. In the film, a group of shamans persuade the family not to cremate the coffin on a rainy day, believing that the soul will not be able to reincarnate.

With a running time of over two hours, the film doesn't feel drawn out thanks to its well-structured climaxes. In the first half, the plot leans towards spiritual horror as darkness descends upon the Park family. In the second half, with the appearance of the main antagonist, the film shifts to a detective-like tone. The characters search for clues from centuries ago about the origins of this evil force. From here, the film connects to the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula in the early 20th century, with many allegorical details.

Among the cast, veteran actor Choi Min Sik stands out thanks to his profound acting. He deeply immerses himself in the role to portray a master of feng shui, from his actions of tasting the soil of a grave to his anxious gaze in the face of adversity. In the final third of the film, Choi Min Sik is given ample screen time in scenes confronting evil spirits. Kim Go Eun is also a highlight with her calm and sharp performance. Her character is thoroughly explained, from her origins as a shaman to her camaraderie with her fellow disciple Bong Gil.

Choi Min Sik showcased his experience as a veteran actor in the role of a feng shui master. Photo: Showbiz

In the climactic scenes, the director uses percussion and drum sounds to intensify the sense of urgency and danger. The film also scores points with its purposeful static shots, such as the scene of the ancient tomb standing alone against the backdrop of a gray forest.

Towards the end, the film reveals flaws due to its rushed conclusion. According to the Korea Herald , the work exposes many issues but fails to resolve them thoroughly. The story is divided into two parts with two antagonists but lacks connection, making the overall script feel like two disjointed episodes. The film also suffers from some shortcomings in its special effects – such as the pack of foxes in the forest and the overuse of dark frames.

Mai Nhat

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/giai-tri/phim/thu-vien-phim/exhuma-quat-mo-trung-ma-691