Exhuma

Compelling film that was more a supernatural mystery than a horror

Excellent horror film. Exhuming and moving graves is not something that would yield a good result for obvious reasons but this practice is taken to another level in this compelling horror flick. First they exhume a grave which leads to a vile spirit being awakened then there it is discovered to be a double internment which leads to something more sinister than an entity that was once human wrecking havoc on those most connected to it.

The movie opens up a bigger conspiracy with the Japanese sumarai’s spirit being at the center of the evil that’s been unleashed but thankfully the story is kept tight and focused on what these characters do which is bury the dead and in some cases vanquish evil spirits. I enjoyed the characters working as a team, immediately informing the group when something new was learned about the case they were working on. Even better there were no unfortunate mishaps ie a character getting into an accident and dying or left in a coma, that prevented new information from being shared.

And though the characters took on this case, despite deep reservations, for the money. There was not a sense of greed , that no matter the risk they would do it. They were just doing their job which would not only pay well but save a baby.

If you’re looking for a traditional horror movie. This isn’t it. There is some creepiness and a little bit of gore. But this is mostly an intriguing mystery that delves deep into the supernatural. The acting was great. And though it wasn’t made clear why the curse on the Park family only seemed to be affecting the grandson’s baby, it was still a very good story. This is definitely a movie I’d repeatedly watch.

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A Chilling Masterpiece – Exhuma

"Exhuma" is a mesmerizing folklore-driven horror mystery that had me hooked from start to finish 🌌. I’ll be honest—I personally hate horror because it scares the living hell out of me 😱, but this film was so beautifully crafted that I sat through every second, completely drawn in.

Kim Go-eun absolutely shines here ✨—her performance is not only powerful but also hauntingly graceful, she gave me chills while being strangely captivating. The folklore elements woven throughout the film were fascinating, deep, and layered, adding a whole new dimension that felt rooted in history and culture without ever feeling confusing.

The cast as a whole delivers superbly, from Choi Min-sik’s commanding screen presence to Yoo Hae-jin’s grounded performance, and Lee Do-hyun’s intensity that balances out the supernatural tension. Every actor brought their own spark, making the ensemble unforgettable.

The cinematography, the chilling sound design, and that eerie yet enchanting atmosphere elevated the story beyond just “horror”—it became an experience. Honestly, "Exhuma" isn’t just a film, it’s a folklore-infused masterpiece that left me both terrified and in awe. 🌙🔥

⭐ 10/10 — and it’s easily one of the most unique Korean horror films I’ve ever seen.

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A timeless masterpiece

By now i have watched this movie a many times and i would say that you will not get bored even after rewatching it because the story is so well written, i am not korean so it took 2-3 watches for me to understand every element shown in movie because to understand things deeply i always search about them. apart from this the cinemotography is very good and the way movie takes turn is also nice because after one hour into the film you migh question that everything went well than why one more hour is still pending and from that moment movie catches the speed and than its just a nonstop mindblowing journey and with some twists for first time watcher, at last i would highly recoomad this movie because movies with good storyline are very few in korea in my opnion.

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Intense and well-acted : I would love to follow those characters through a drama !

This thriller and horrific movie really gripped me. It follows a team of shaman and geoman who tackles paranormal issues, some necessiting exhumation of corpses as their customers are haunted by deceased family members. Far from taking an humoristic road, it is a very dark and frightening movie that really spooked me at times.

Despite its long length, the film remained captivating all over its various narrative arcs. The build up was good and the conclusion was strong. I would have liked a bit more of background around the goal of the antagonist as well as more flashbacks because the past story was incredibly interesting. So I would have wanted even more of that, as well as regarding the origin story of the main characters who shared a very good chemistry together.

Indeed, acting was great : Choi Min Shik, Kim Go Eun, Yoo Hae Jin and Lee Do Hyun did an incredible job. I totally believe their characters were skilled in handling and facing obscure forces. The rituals scenes, the encounter with the paranormal phenomenons, the way the characters behaved in dire situation...It was skillfully acted !

Production value was very high as well : the visual effect really worked on me. There were not really any scare jump but the tension steadily climbed over the course of the story, as the horror gets more and more proeminent. The soundtrack was good overall, fitting for the dire atmosphere.

I would recommend this to people looking for a thrilling horrific movie featuring shaman, corpse and exhumation. The gore level is rather low but the angst is pretty high. There are a lot of talk around death and people do get hurt and dies. So be mindful of the trigger if you have any. It is a quite long and intense movie, that might necessitate some breather to get through it in one go.

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disappointing

Exhuma promised spine-chilling horror but delivered predictable scares and a lackluster plot. Despite its atmospheric cinematography, the film relies too heavily on clichés and fails to innovate within the genre. Jump scares feel telegraphed, and the central mystery lacks depth, leaving viewers unsatisfied. While the cast delivers solid performances, they're stifled by a script that fails to engage
Visually, "Exhuma" delivers in spades, with atmospheric cinematography and expertly crafted set pieces that serve to heighten the sense of impending doom. From dimly lit corridors to decrepit graveyards, every location exudes an aura of malevolence, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the film's sinister world.However, where "Exhuma" truly falters is in its execution of scares and plot development. Despite the best efforts of the cast and crew, including standout performances from the lead actors, the film struggles to deliver genuine moments of terror. Jump scares are telegraphed well in advance, robbing them of their intended impact, while the central mystery lacks the complexity and depth needed to sustain interest. Ultimately, Exhuma falls short of my expectations.

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One word "OverHyped"

Exhuma is a tale of shamanism and exorcizing trauma. The 1st half of the movie sets up an atmosphere for you to get curious about what's waiting for you ahead as you expected they may explain the course of the action but here you get disappointed cuz without explaining the movie went ahead on another dimension of Korean/Japnese flok shamanism from handling the ghost to fighting with an Oni real quick.

Screenwriter and Director Jang Jae-hyun specializes in horror movies, and as such, he often leaves the mystery to the audience's interpretation.

In the 2nd half of the movie, you understand what is happening presently and Oni's past but many things are unexplained like what is the relation b/w ML and Fl are they a couple (least likely) or siblings or just working partners or senior/junior? while watching the movie It wasn't clear what the relation b/w the MLs and the two females who were in the hospital while Hwa Rim was dealing with the Oni. According to MDL, Oh Gwang Shim [Hwa Rim's senior] and Park Ja Hye [Hwa Rim's junior] explain.
You may ask why you don't understand while watching? Is that your first supernatural/horror movie?

Nope, I have watched so many supernatural/horror/folk/exorcism movies whether it's Korean, Japanese, Thai, Indian, or Hollywood but they bother to explain or give you the hint so you can understand. But the story was narrated without giving any hints of explaining "it is what it is" and what was the relation b/w the 1st ghost we saw (Grandpa Park) and the Oni wasn't explained! 🤔

Now what I like and dislike about this movie;

Cinematography: No doubt it is excellent cinematography and gives you the experience to the fullest. The graphics were good too.

Acting: The acting of both actors was top notch and you can see them as a shaman. Kim Go-Eun acting as a shaman was excellent while performing the exhumation. Lee Do-hyun's acting was also impressive as a hot shaman. The acting was the main element of this movie that kept you in your seat. you connect with the characters despite no backstory.

Story: As I said before, the story leaves many loopholes where we as an audience find difficulty connecting the dots. The mystery and the suspense in the story were well presented. This movie didn't have any jumpscares or maybe I didn't find any.

Styling: One more thing that I like is the styling and costume of both leads. Kim Go-Eun's clothing style and her aura, she was the whole mood. Also, Lee Do-hyun's tattoos and hair bun stole the show.

In conclusion, to understand this movie I had so many questions, Like; what was the Park family's secret? Who was Gisune? (I have known about the Kitsune) the grave robber's angle? Who possessed Bong Gil? That was confusing but I thought the General Oni(demon) possessed him. What kind of creature was that snake (Nure-onna) that was killed after the ritual?

I had to do some research and find I am not the only one who was confused thanks to that Reddit explanation I got my answers. If you don’t know much about Korean/Japanese history/shamanism it will be difficult to understand as well.

Without knowing the explanation I gave this movie 6.8 out of 10 for excellent acting, cast, and cinematography. Also, I can't deny the fact that this movie is Overhyped because of the cast. If you had to find an explanation outside of the movie then what to say?

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Slow Burn At Its Best

If you're out for a horror movie with plenty of jump scares, look elsewhere.

Unlike your typical horror movie, supernatural beings don't get "accidentally" summoned by a bunch of irresponsible drunken teenagers, there's no cringey "I'll be back" dialogues, no jump scares, no slamming furniture, flying objects and creaky floorboards, no adrenaline inducing score to keep you at the edge of your seat; just a clever blend of cultural folklore, metaphysics, pacing and build up.

Divided into six different acts, "Exhuma" tells the story of a shaman and a geomancer, who are recruited to help a rich family conduct an exhumation of their ancestral grave.

Act 1, introduces the audience to the leads, who they are, what they do, and slowly reel the audience in by placing an unpredictable twist at the end of each act, making the audience wonder and hunger for more. Just when you think that you're right, you couldn't be more wrong.

There are, however, some obvious loopholes in the film, which might have been cut for time ("Exhuma" has a runtime of 134mins) but those loopholes seem like forgettable side quests, that doesn't really affect the main storyline.

Everything is meticulously calculated, everyone knows very well what they are doing, everyone knows what they are getting into.... except the audience.

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what a good surprise

estou levemente impactado com este daqui. não estava esperando metade do que ele foi, fui assitir despretensiosamente e sai surpreso com a qualidade que ele entrega.

eu acho muito interessante acompanhar religião/mitologia ser tratado em filmes pois é sempre 8 ou 80 e aqui é um 80! eu achei de uma certa forma fascinante os elementos que são apresentados aqui, o modo como alguns rituais são feitos, artefatos que são apresentados e toda relação dos personagens com esses elementos. não é o tipo de terror que te assusta mas te faz aproveitar todo o tempo de duração

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Folklore occult horror that shouldn't be missed

Exhuma is an enthralling, unique exploration of intergenerational curses, national history, and spectral hauntings. Kim Go-eun easily carries the dramatic load and Choi Min-sik gives his role a grizzled, weary authority. The journey moves viewers from the ghostly to the monstrous with meaning and history behind the horror, and while there are thought-provoking elements at play here there’s also a desire to deliver big, creepy, gory, beautiful thrills. The inclusion of rituals and ceremonies with historical influences craft a tangible world the story exists in, not necessarily adding undeniable plausibility, but certainly introducing disturbing situations steeped in beliefs and tradition.

My Rating : 8/10

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Cultural identity, Scars of colonial trauma, and Globalization

It's always refreshing to see horror films that aren't based around the Christian frame work because everyone is influenced by the same Hollywood movies and western colonization. It's an even more impressive feat considering the director himself is Christian also. I really enjoy that the film is rooted in cultural knowledge that specifically the Korean audiences would be familiar with and doesn't do any exposition to handhold international audiences, because it doesn't have to. I see so many reviews that are so entitled to being catered to. There's a lot of cross cultural motifs in the film perhaps alluding to the past unease of forced mixing of cultures during the wartime versus the modern world where there are cultural exchanges through globalization with various soft powers. The cursed rich family hiring the shaman are Korean American, their ancestor unfortunately worked with the colonial Japanese military, and the geomancer's daughter marrying a German husband, even the Christian character Young Geun who assists in the geomancy and the shamanic rituals and does Christian prayers for his cohort who had been attacked by a Japanese curse demon.

The film opens with the shaman Hwa Rim being spoke to in Japanese by an Asian flight attendant on a flight of different ethnicities sitting around them. While Hwa Rim responds to the attendant's question in perfect Japanese, she also clarifies that she's Korean. Her cultural identity is important to her. She and her shaman assistant Bong Gil travel to St. Joseph's hospital to assess baby Joseph who is the latest first born son or remaining son afflicted of the family curse. St. Joseph is the earth father of Jesus, so Joseph carries the theme of the patrilineage. Hwa Rim clocks that the troubles stem from the grandfather who the characters later discovered the big family secret is that he was a high ranking officer who worked for the Colonial Japanese during that era, which is how recent it still is in the historical timeframe. Aside from weapons and atrocities, there was Japanization to force Koreans to remove their culture. The iron stakes refers to an urban legend that the Colonial Japanese installed them in specific places to break the spirit of the Korean people. No matter how loyal the grandfather was to the occupiers, they used him even in death for their scheme to protect the giant demon version of the iron stake made from a big sword and different pieces of bodies. His nameless, abandoned grave, turning him into an aggressive spirt that murders his own bloodline. The sparing visions of the ghost was more effective than dancing his tango loving daughter in law to death which was pretty silly. The ghost learned human technology really fast, using the phone to fool his grandson into ignoring the actual Sang Deok at the door. That's kind of silly, but points for flipping the script on the door banging being from the actual Sang Deok. They make sure to show that they had no choice, but to cremate the body on a rainy day to save baby Joseph, and so the guy who worked for the Japanese Colonial power will not have a good afterlife.

The cgi foxes could have been done better, but the human headed snake that screams was an effective creepy design, as was the reveal there is a vertical grave underneath the grandfather, and the giant demon shogun that feasts on humans that emerges from it. It was clever to have Geomancer Sang Deok's explanation about how his field revolves around the elements of wood, metal, fire, air, and water come back around by using wood and his own blood in place of water to defeat the monster comprised of metal and fire. Hwa Rim's fluent Japanese implied to be possibly related to her shamanism field requiring at least some knowledge of the shamanism from there with Japanese ghosts behaving differently on the danger scale, comes in clutch to understand what the shogun says and wants. Bong Gil manages to survive his encounter with the shogun by being covered mostly in tattoos of the Buddhist script, leaving the demon only being able to stab the liver area which was an unfortunate blank spot. Hwa Rim realizing this leads to a funny scene where she, Sang Deok, and Young Geun are covered in temporary tattoos of the Buddhist script while having to speak to the traffic controller at a stop to go back into the mountain area. The rag tag team defeat the evil, but they are still are still affected by their experiences, similar to how South Korean is still affected by what had happened to the country during the colonial rule. The team is bonded though surviving the trauma and Sang Deok incorporates them into his new blended family along with his German son in law in the the big family photo.

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