Ya know, after being inundated with ghost and haunting movies by Hollywood, I thought I was done with that shit ya know? Then Exhuma came along and is an absolute gem of a supernatural horror film packed full of South Korean folklore and the occult. Though at its core it is a ghost story of sorts, it is infused historically fascinating sociopolitical commentary and the “rules” of cultural superstitions and mystical practices. This flick is the brainchild of writer/director Jae-hyun Jang, the mad genius who brought us Svaha: The Sixth Finger and The Priests. If you’re expecting a quiet night in, think again—this movie is packed with enough spooky antics and gore to keep your brain buzzing.

Exhuma kicks off introducing us to Shaman Hwa-rim (Kim Go-eun) and her protégé Bong-gil (Lee Do-hyun) as they touch down in Los Angeles. They’ve been summoned by Park Ji-yong (Kim Jae-cheol), a billionaire with a cursed infant. Classic setup, right? But hold onto your butts, because this isn’t your average ghost story. The curse traces back to an unmarked grave in South Korea, and our team of spirit-busting misfits is on the case. Enter geomancer Sang-deok (Choi Min-sik) and mortician Young-geun (Yoo Hae-jin), rounding out a crew that’s as ragtag as the Ghostbusters, but definitely more serious.

Jae-hyun Jang breaks the narrative into chapters, which is useful given the relatively complex plot. We’ve got superstitions, spirituality, and a whole lot of historical baggage—Jang throws it all into the pot and stirs like a witch at a cauldron. The movie explores Korea’s fraught relationship with Japan through the lens of horror, offering a metaphor for historical trauma that’s as potent as it is peculiar. Jang’s writing is dense, ambitious, and packed with wild imagery. You might find yourself asking, “What the hell is going on?” more than once, but trust me, it’s worth it. The film doesn’t just take you on a journey; it drags you through the underworld and back.

Kim Go-eun as Hwa-rim is a revelation. She starts off as the epitome of confidence, a shaman with a no-nonsense attitude and a direct line to the supernatural realm. But as the plot thickens and the stakes rise, we see her evolve into an underdog hero facing forces beyond her control. It’s a performance that grounds the film even as the chaos spirals out of control. Choi Min-sik, the veteran (Oldboy, I Saw the Devil), plays Sang-deok with a gravitas that’s as comforting as it is foreboding. He’s the voice of reason, a man who senses danger in every shadow, yet isn’t above a bit of grave soil tasting (yep, you read that right). Lee Do-hyun and Yoo Hae-jin round out the team, bringing humor and heart to a story that could easily get lost in its own complexity.

Exhuma‘s cinematography is lush. Lee Mo-gae captures everything from the eerie beauty of South Korean landscapes to the claustrophobic tension of supernatural encounters. The film deftly uses lighting and composition to ratchet up the tension until it’s tighter than a drum.

As I said before, Exhuma isn’t just about things that go bump in the night. It’s a meditation on the ghosts of history and the scars they leave behind. The film explores the cultural and historical tensions between Korea and Japan, using folklore as a lens to examine how the past continues to haunt the present. It’s an ambitious theme that Jang handles with a deft touch, weaving it seamlessly into the horror narrative. One of Exhuma’s greatest strengths is its ability to juggle tones. It’s a film that can pivot from a tense supernatural showdown to a scene that’s genuinely funny or touching, all without missing a beat.

The film’s pacing is another highlight. Despite its sprawling narrative and multiple plot threads, Jang keeps the action moving at a brisk pace. There’s no time to get bored because there’s always another twist around the corner. Finally, the creature design is absolutely incredible. The “spirit” is terrifying and seemingly mostly practical.

That said, Exhuma clearly has a lot of cultural and historical references that may leave some American audiences feeling a bit adrift. Whatever, just fucking read some history and I suspect you’ll understand enough.

Exhuma is a film that defies easy categorization. It’s a horror movie, sure, but it’s also a cultural exploration, a historical commentary, and occasionally funny and endearing all at once. Jae-hyun Jang has crafted a unique cinematic experience that challenges as much as it entertains. It’s not perfect, but it’s ambitious, daring, and packed with enough spine-tingling moments to satisfy even the most jaded horror aficionado.

Director: Jang Jae-hyun
Writer: Jang Jae-hyun
Released , March 15, 2024