Alienoid: Return to the Future

{{Infobox film

| name = Alienoid: Return to the Future

| image = Alienoid 2 film poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name/auto|hangul=^외계+인 2부|lk=Alien+Human Part 2}}

| director = Choi Dong-hoon

| producer = Ahn Soo-hyun

| writer = Choi Dong-hoon

| screenplay =

| based_on =

| starring = {{plainlist|

}}

| music = Jang Young-gyu

| cinematography = Kim Tae-kyung

| editing = Shin Min-kyung

| studio = Caper Film

| distributor = CJ E&M

| released = {{Film date|2024|1|10}}

| runtime = 122 minutes

| country = South Korea

| language = Korean

| budget =

| gross = {{USD|10.8}} million{{cite Box Office Mojo|title=Alienoid: The Return to the Future (2024)|id=20201212|access-date=March 2, 2024}}

}}

Alienoid: Return to the Future ({{Korean|외계+인 2부}}) is a 2024 South Korean science fiction action film directed by Choi Dong-hoon, starring Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin. It is the second part of 2022 film Alienoid and tells the story of humans and monks trying to save everyone by returning to the present while hidden secrets are revealed in the fierce battle for the new sword.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/312/0000637787|script-title=ko:[종합] "외계+인 2부는 카타르시스가 될 것" 류준열·김태리의 변신, 1부 혹평 반전시킬까|trans-title=[Comprehensive] "Alien + Human Part 2 will be a catharsis" Will the transformation of Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri reverse the harsh criticism of Part 1?|author=Ha-neul Lee|work=Ten Asia|publisher=Naver|date=November 22, 2023|access-date=November 23, 2023|language=ko}} It was released on January 10, 2024, in IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX formats.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/117/0003798366|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부 IMAX·4DX·ScreenX 개봉 확정...극장서 즐기는 압도적 스케일|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2 confirmed for IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX release... Overwhelming scale to enjoy in the theater|author=Yang Yu-jin|work=MyDaily|publisher=Naver|date=January 3, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2024|language=ko}}{{Cite web|last=Lee Ha-neul|date=December 11, 2023|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 2024년 1월 10일 개봉 확정했다[공식]|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2 confirmed to be released on January 10, 2024 [Official]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000640200|access-date=December 11, 2023|publisher=Ten Asia|language=ko}}

Plot

Retrieving the Divine Sword to unlock the gate of time, Lee Ahn, trapped in the past and attempting to stop the escape of an alien prisoner locked in a human body, searches for Thunder and makes her way back to the future. In the meantime, a weird presence in Mureuk's body disturbs him. Lee Ahn and Mureuk are pursued by Heug-seol and Cheong-woon, the two mages from Samgaksan who suspect that an alien lies within Mureuk; Neung-pa, a blind swordsman who wants to take the rumored divine sword and open his eyes; and Ja-jang, who wants to claim the divine sword.

In the present day, several people are killed by a haava, an alien substance detonated by an escaped alien prisoner, The Architect, and an accidental alien witness, Min Gae-in, begins to investigate the incident. With only 48 minutes left before all the haava explodes, Lee Ahn must open the gate of time, return to the future and stop the heavy detonation. Finally, all the secrets are revealed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kmdb.or.kr/eng/db/kor/detail/movie/K/35482|website=Korean Movie Database|language=ko|script-title=ko:외계+인 2부|trans-title=Alienoid 2|access-date=January 26, 2024}}

Cast

Ryu Jun-yeol as Mureuk{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000792753|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부 류준열, 얼치기 아닌 찐 도사로 도술 렙업|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2 Ryu Jun-yeol, leveling up his Taoist skills as a skilled Taoist rather than a simpleton|author=Bae Hyo-joo|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 16, 2023|language=ko}}
Kim Tae-ri as Lee Ahn{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000636588|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 류준열·김태리·김우빈의 수능 응원 "좋은 결과 있기를"|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin's CSAT cheering "Hope you get good results"|author=Ha-neul Lee|work=Ten Asia|publisher=Naver|date=November 15, 2023|access-date=November 16, 2023|language=ko}}
Kim Woo-bin as Thunder{{Cite news|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=312&aid=0000633932|title=류준열·김태리·김우빈 '외계+인' 2부, 2024년 1월 개봉 확정|trans-title=Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, Kim Woo-bin's 'Alien + Human' Part 2, confirmed to be released in January 2024|author=Lee Ha-neul|date=October 26, 2023|access-date=November 16, 2023|publisher=Ten Asia|via=Naver|language=ko}}
Lee Hanee as Min Gae-in
Yum Jung-ah as Heug-seol, a mage from Samgaksan
Jo Woo-jin as Cheong-woon, a mage from Samgaksan{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/609/0000793449|script-title=ko:류준열→진선규 '외계+인' 2부 캐릭터 포스터 공개..더 강렬해진 비주얼|trans-title=Ryu Jun-yeol → Jin Seon-gyu 'Alien + Human' Part 2 character poster released, more intense visuals|author=Bae Hyo-joo|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 17, 2023|language=ko}}
Kim Eui-sung as Ja-jang, a masked man who wants the divine sword
Jin Seon-kyu as Neung-pa, a blind swordsman{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/477/0000457615|script-title=ko:'몸값'→'외계+인 2부' 대세배우 진선규, 대종상 '시리즈 남우상' 노미네이트|trans-title='Ransom' → 'Alien + Human Part 2' popular actor Jin Seon-gyu is nominated for 'Best Actor in a Series' at the Daejong Awards|author=Yoo Eun-bi|work=SPOTV News|publisher=Naver|date=October 30, 2023|access-date=November 16, 2023|language=ko}}
Kim Hae-sook as Milbon{{Cite news|author=Yoo Eun-bi|script-title=ko:김해숙→윤경호...'외계+인' 2부, 씬스틸러 배우 총출동|trans-title=Kim Hae-sook → Yoon Kyeong-ho... 'Alien + Human' Part 2, scene-stealer actors all in attendance|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=477&aid=0000471159|access-date=January 30, 2024|work=SPOTV News|via=Naver|language=ko}}
Shin Jung-geun as Right King, a cat living in Mureuk's fan
Lee Si-hoon as Left King, a cat living in Mureuk's fan
Yoon Kyung-ho is Samsik, an alien prisoner

Production

Both parts of Alienoid were shot together, filming for which began in March 2020 and concluded in April 2021 taking 387 days.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5527&mode=VIEW|title=KIM Woo-bin, RYU Jun-yeol and KIM Tae-ri Wrap 2-Part ALIEN|author=Pierce Conran|date=April 26, 2021|access-date=November 17, 2023|work=KOFIC}} The cost of production of both the parts was estimated at {{KRW|33 billion}}.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=640&aid=0000026758|author=Lee Jae-lim|title=Choi Dong-hoon makes it sci-fi and action, but also Korean in 'Alienoid Part 1'|via=Naver|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=July 20, 2022|access-date=November 17, 2023}}

Release

On December 11, 2023, the main poster and 'Character Roadmap' video, were released and the film was scheduled for release on January 10, 2024, by CJ E&M.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003200935|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 내년 1월 10일 개봉 확정..반전 노린다 [무비타이밍]|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2, confirmed to be released on January 10th next year...aiming for a twist [Movie Timing]|author=Kim Na-yeon|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=December 11, 2023|language=ko}} It was released in IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX formats as scheduled.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/241/0003321751|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 특별관에서도 만난다... 아이맥스 4DX 등 개봉 확정|trans-title=We also meet in the 'Alien + Humans' special hall... Confirmed for release in IMAX 4DX, etc.|author=Jeong Jin-young|work=Daily Sports|publisher=Naver|date=January 3, 2024|access-date=January 3, 2024|language=ko}}

The film was released in Vietnam on January 12, Indochina on the 24, Hong Kong on the 25, and North America on the 26. It will be released in Taiwan in February 2024.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/109/0005009636|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 해외서 터졌다..북미→대만 연이은 개봉 확정 [공식]|trans-title=Part 2 of 'Aliens + Humans' exploded overseas... Confirmed for successive releases in North America → Taiwan [Official]|author=Ha Su-jeong|work=OSEN|publisher=Naver|date=February 1, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2024|language=ko}}

The film was featured in Features section of the 71st Sydney Film Festival on June 8, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/alienoid-alienoid-return-to-the-future |title=Alienoid: Return to the Future |website=Sydney Film Festival Festival|date=June 8, 2024|access-date=July 23, 2024|language=en}}

Alienoid: Return to the Future was part of the 19th London Korean Film Festival. The festival screened Alienoid (2022) as part of their Opening Night film in the 17th edition of the festival.{{cite web | url=https://www.koreanfilm.co.uk/events/lkff-2024-special-screening-alienoid-return-to-the-future/ | title=LKFF 2024 Special Screening: Alienoid: Return to the Future }}

Reception

=Box office=

The film was released on January 10 on 1388 screens.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20235253|title=Alienoid 2, 2024 at KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Korean films|access-date=January 18, 2024|work=KOFIC}} It opened at first place on Korean box office with 103,467 admissions and a gross of US$746,073,{{cite web|url=https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findDailyBoxOfficeList.do|title=2024 . 01 . 10（수）일별 박스오피스 (Daily box office)|access-date=January 10, 2024|work=KOBIS|language=ko}}{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003208150|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 개봉 첫날 9만 명 봤다..극장가 新 흥행 훈풍[★무비차트]|trans-title='Aliens + Humans' Part 2 was seen by 90,000 people on the first day of release.. New box office success in theaters [★Movie Chart]|author=Kim Na-yeon|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date=January 11, 2024|access-date=January 11, 2024|language=ko}} and also took the first place in its first week of release with 648,687 cumulative viewers at the weekend box office.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/108/0003208948|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 개봉 첫 주 박스오피스 1위..韓 영화 저력 과시|trans-title='Aliens + Humans' Part 2 takes first place at the box office in the first week of release...showing off the power of Korean movies|author=Ahn Yun-ji|work=Star News|publisher=Naver|date=January 15, 2024|access-date=January 15, 2024|language=ko}} It maintained its top position at box office for continuous ten days.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/241/0003325426|script-title=ko:'외계+인' 2부, 10일 연속 박스오피스 1위.. 누적 86만|trans-title='Alien + Human' Part 2, No. 1 at the box office for 10 consecutive days... Cumulative 860,000|author=Kim Ji-hye|work=Daily Sports|publisher=Naver|date=January 20, 2024|access-date=January 20, 2024|language=ko}} On January 21, the twelfth day of its release the film exceeded 1 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/312/0000645872|script-title=ko:류준열·김태리·김우빈 웃었다! '외계+인' 2부, 값진 100만 돌파 [공식]|trans-title=Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, and Kim Woo-bin laughed! 'Aliens + Humans' Part 2, valuable milestone exceeds 1 million [Official]|author=Choi Ji-ye|work=Ten Asia|publisher=Naver|date=January 21, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2024|language=ko}}

{{As of|2024|12|31|df=US|}}, with a gross of US$9,834,101 and 1,430,121 admissions, it is at 11th place among the Korean films released in 2024.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2024&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2024|access-date=February 29, 2024|work=KOFIC}}

=Critical response=

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 63% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Alienoid 2 (2024, Action/Fantasy)|id=alienoid_2_return_to_the_future|type=m|access-date=February 7, 2024}}

Lee Yi-seul writing in Asia Economy criticised the film terming it as, "Distracted plot and contrived comedy". However Lee applauded the director Choi Dong-hoon for Korean-style Science Fiction challenge, that combines folklore with mixed likes and dislikes. She wrote, "The bold attempt would not have been possible if it weren't for the director.{{cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/277/0005362884|script-title=ko:[리뷰]700억 '외계+인' 무슨 생각으로 2부까지 찍었을까|trans-title=[Review] 70 billion 'Aliens + Humans' What were they thinking when filming Part 2?|author=Lee Yi-seul|work=Asia Economy|publisher=Naver|date=January 4, 2024|access-date=January 4, 2024|language=ko}} Jennie Kermode of Eye for Film graded the film 3/5 and wrote, "It's all wildly incoherent, and will seem all the more so if you don't have a grounding in the rules of Korean fantasy magic, but there's still plenty of fun to be had."{{Cite web|url=https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/alienoid-return-to-the-future-2024-film-review-by-jennie-kermode|title=Alienoid: Return To The Future|author=Jennie Kermode|website=Eye for Film|date=January 21, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2024|language=en}}

Douglas Davidson of Elements of Madness graded the film 4/5 and wrote, "[Brings] with it all the action, hilarity, and drama of the first film, as well as a few of the same drawbacks. However, despite the flaws, it's still a rousing good time that delivers on all it promises and more."{{Cite web|url=https://elementsofmadness.com/2024/01/22/alienoid2/|title=Filmmaker Choi Dong-hoon's hotly anticipated "Alienoid" sequel "Return to the Future" arrives with bigger action and bigger laughs to navigate world-ending stakes.|author=Douglas Davidson|website=Elements of Madness|date=January 22, 2024|access-date=January 25, 2024|language=en}}

=Accolades=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" \|+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination ! scope="col" \| Award ! scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Category ! scope="col" \| Nominee / work ! scope="col" \| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Abbr\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
scope="row" \| Baeksang Arts Awards \| style="text-align:center" \| 2024 \| Best Supporting Actress \| Yum Jung-ah \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center" \| {{Cite web\|last=Hwang\|first=So-young\|date=April 8, 2024\|script-title=ko:60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개\|trans-title=60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed\|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000387494\|language=ko\|publisher=JTBC\|access-date=April 9, 2024\|via=Naver\|archive-date=April 8, 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408063013/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000387494\|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

|+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Nominee / work

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

scope="row" | Baeksang Arts Awards

| style="text-align:center" | 2024

| Best Supporting Actress

| Yum Jung-ah

| {{Nom}}

| style="text-align:center" | {{Cite web|last=Hwang|first=So-young|date=April 8, 2024|script-title=ko:60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개|trans-title=60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000387494|language=ko|publisher=JTBC|access-date=April 9, 2024|via=Naver|archive-date=April 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408063013/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=437&aid=0000387494|url-status=live}}