Exhuma

Renowned Korean shaman Hwa-rim and her protégé, Bong-gil are enlisted by a wealthy real estate developer Korean American family to identify the mysterious illness of the family's newborn son. Hwa-rim uncovers the curse to be a "Grave's Call", a vengeful ancestor's spirit haunting them. The family's patriarch, Park Ji-Yong, entrusts them to relocate the grave to appease the ancestor, his grandfather. Hwa-rim enlists colleagues, a Feng shui master and geomancer Kim Sang-deok and a mortician Yeong-geun with a promise of huge payday of 500,000 USD from the job, especially Sang-deok who's in need of money to pay his daughter's wedding.

Sang-deok specializes in selling burial locations for the wealthy, while Yeong-geun owns a funeral home. During their first encounter with Ji-yong, Sang-deok becomes wary when Ji-yong insists on cremating the grave, which is located in a remote mountain near the North Korean border. Sang-deok backs out, sensing sinister energy but Ji-yong convinces him to reconsider by doubling the payout for the job. However, Hwa-rim convinces them she can perform a ritual while the grave is dug to avoid the curse. Ji-yong tells them about a famous monk named 'Gisune' who in order to assuage grave robbers, provided the grave location for his grandfather.

Hwa-rim and Bong-gil perform the ritual, and the excavation proceeds smoothly. But when cleaning up, one of the gravediggers severs the head of a human-headed snake, which triggers a bad omen and rain. Yeong-geun insists on cremating the coffin once the rain stops so they store it at a nearby ward. The local custodian, hearing rumors of a treasure in the tomb, greedily opens the coffin and thus accidentally releases the vengeful entity inside, Ji-yong's grandfather. The entity targets his bloodline, killing Ji-yong's parents and Ji-yong himself. The grandfather, revealed to be a Japanese collaborator during the Korean occupation era, is tormented by his improper burial. Sang-deok cremates the coffin before the entity can kill the baby, abolishing the curse.

Months later, Yeong-geun informs Sang-deok about a gravedigger who becomes disturbed after killing the snake. He revisits the gravesite and discovers the head of the "snake" along with a second burial site for a seven-foot-long standing coffin. He enlists Hwa-rim, Bong-gil, and Yeong-geun to dispose of the coffin. The four excavate it and rest at a temple, where Hwa-rim learns about Gisune, who turns out to be a powerful Japanese shaman named Murayama Junji who has the moniker of The Fox. That night, Bong-gil witnesses an oni killing the temple priest and the local pig farmer along with his pigs. Hwa-rim and Bong-gil find the coffin ripped from the inside and Hwa-rim is ambushed by the oni who is revealed to be a samurai. Bong-gil gets injured and possessed, and the others witness the oni turn into a ball of fire flying back to the mountain.

Hwa-rim investigates the oni's origin through the possessed Bong-gil. Sang-deok returns to the grave and finds the samurai dormant on the coordinates written on the grandfather's tombstone. It is revealed that during Japanese occupation of Korea, the Imperial Japan ordered their shamans to put multiple large iron spiritual spikes throughout the country to disrupt the country's life force so they could easily rule over the occupied Korea. He discovers that the supposed grave robbers were Korean patriots attempting to unearth and remove these spiritual spikes in Korea and the Samurai oni is actually the guardian spirit that was tasked by Gisune to protect one of the spikes. Sang-deok, Hwa-rim, and Yeong-geun devise a plan to unearth the relic when the creature rises after midnight. Hwa-rim will distract the samurai while the others dig the grave. A vision reveals The Fox embedding a katana inside a decapitated samurai's body, turning the samurai into a tsukumogami and Ji-yong's grandfather's grave serving as a cover for the relic. Sang-deok realizes that the samurai himself is the iron spike and since he is represented fire in Feng shui, he must be vanquished by the element of water and wood. Sang-deok then uses the wooden pick axe drenched in his own blood to successfully vanquish the samurai spirit. Injured, he faints but later regains consciousness at a hospital with the others by his bedside. A few months later, the group attends Sang-deok's daughter's wedding.

• Choi Min-sik as Kim Sang-deok, feng shui master{{cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘' 최민식의 스크린 귀환...연기 레전드의 '파격 도전'|trans-title=Choi Min-sik's return to the big screen in 'Damn Tomb'... An acting legend's 'unconventional challenge'|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/465/0000007568|work=ize Asia|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Kim Na-ra|date=January 31, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}
• Kim Go-eun as Lee Hwa-rim, shaman{{cite web|script-title=ko:[단독]'대세' 이도현, '파묘'로 스크린 데뷔...최민식·김고은과 '특급 캐스팅' 완성[종합]|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Trend' Lee Do-hyeon, debut on the screen with 'Pamyo'... Completion of 'Express Casting' with Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun [General]|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=477&aid=0000376000|via=Naver|work=SpoTV News|language=ko|author=Kang Hyo-jin|date=August 12, 2022|access-date=February 3, 2024}}
• Yoo Hae-jin as Yeong-geun, undertaker{{cite web|script-title=ko:[단독] '공조2' 대박 낸 유해진, '파묘' 합류...'믿보' 라인업 완성|trans-title=[Exclusive] Yoo Hai-jin, who hit the jackpot in 'Confidential Cooperation 2', joins 'Pamyo'... Completed the line-up of 'Believe|url=https://www.joynews24.com/view/1522970|work=Joy News 24|language=ko|author=Park Jin-young|date=September 27, 2022|access-date=February 3, 2024}}
• Lee Do-hyun as Yoon Bong-gil, shaman{{cite web|script-title=ko:온몸에 문신...이도현, '파묘' 속 강렬 비주얼|trans-title=Tattoos all over my body... Lee Do-hyun, powerful visuals in 'Graveyard'|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/469/0000782093|work=Hankook Ilbo|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Jeong Han-byeol|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}
• Kim Jae-cheol as Park Ji-yong, Hwa-rim's client{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘' 김재철, 의뢰인 박지용으로 강렬 열연...섬뜩한 얼굴|trans-title=Kim Jae-cheol in 'Breaking the Grave' gives a powerful performance as the client Park Ji-yong... creepy face|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=421&aid=0007382362|via=Naver|work=News 1|language=ko|author=Ko Seung-ah|date=February 29, 2024|access-date=February 29, 2024}}
• Kim Sun-young as Oh Gwang-shim, shaman
• Kim Ji-an as Park Ja-hye, a junior shaman

In June 2021, it was reported that Choi Min-sik will star in director Jang Jae-hyun's occult thriller.{{cite web|script-title=ko:[단독]'검은 사제들'→'사바하'→'파묘', 장재현 오컬트월드에 최민식 합류 [종합]|trans-title=[Exclusive] 'Black Priests' → 'Sabaha' → 'Expulsion', Choi Min-sik joins Jang Jae-hyun's Occult World [Comprehensive]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002961753|work={{ill|Star News (South Korean newspaper)|ko|스타뉴스|lt=Star News}}|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Jeon Hyeong-hwa|date=June 8, 2021|access-date=February 3, 2024}} Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun joined the cast in August 2022,{{cite web|script-title=ko:[단독]'대세' 이도현, '파묘'로 스크린 데뷔...최민식·김고은과 '특급 캐스팅' 완성[종합]|trans-title=[Exclusive] Lee Do-hyun, a popular figure, debuts on the big screen with 'Breakfast'... 'Special casting' completed with Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun [Comprehensive]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/477/0000376000|work=SPOTV News|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Kang Hyo-jin|date=August 12, 2022|access-date=February 3, 2024}} followed by Yoo Hae-jin, who joined the cast in September 2022.

The film produced by Showbox and Pinetown Production in association with MCMC, is directed by Jang Jae-hyun, who is known for making occult films.{{Cite news|title='Oldboy' Star Choi Min-sik Heads 'Exhuma' Cast, Drops Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/choi-min-sik-exhuma-trailer-1235861097/|work=Variety|language=en|author=Patrick Frater|date=January 4, 2024|access-date=February 4, 2024}}

Principal photography began in October 2022,{{cite web|script-title=ko:김고은, 부국제 '영웅의 밤' 참석→신작 '파묘' 크랭크 인|trans-title=Kim Go-eun attends the Vice International 'Heroes' Night' → Cranks in new work 'Breakfast'|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000637945|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Kim Beom-seok|date=October 6, 2022|access-date=February 3, 2024}} and filming ended in March 2023.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'카지노' 최민식 "저는 저대로 살 뿐이에요" [쿠키인터뷰]|trans-title='Casino' Choi Min-sik "I just live the way I am" [Cookie Interview]|url=https://m.kukinews.com/newsView/kuk202303270191|work=Kuki News|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Eunho Lee|date=March 28, 2023|access-date=February 3, 2024}} The director in an interview disclosed that the film used a large number of real scenes and real props for filming, tried not to use studios and avoided using CG effects in post-production. In his own words, "I tried to actually film the background and objects, avoiding CG whenever possible. We took the photos as painstakingly as possible without building a set, and for things like ghost photos, the actual actors wore makeup for 6 hours and then took blurry photos on purpose."{{cite web|script-title=ko:[인터뷰] 전작들의 장점만 가져왔다, <파묘> 장재현 감독|trans-title=[Interview] Director Jang Jae-hyun of 'Breakfast' brought only the strengths of previous works|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/140/0000051862|work=Cine21|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Lee Woo-bin|date=January 12, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}

Exhuma had its world premiere on February 16, 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Forum.{{cite web|title=Berlinale Unveils Full Panorama, Forum & Generation Line-Ups With New Films By Nathan Silver, Levan Akin, André Téchiné & Bruce LaBruce|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/berlinale-2024-full-panorama-forum-generation-line-ups-1235795060/|website=Deadline|last=Goodfellow|first=Melanie|date=January 17, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Berlinale unveils complete 2024 Panorama, Generation, Forum sections|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/berlinale-unveils-complete-2024-panorama-generation-forum-sections/5189510.article|website=ScreenDaily|language=en|last=Dalton|first=Ben|date=January 17, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Exhuma|url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2024/programme/202409500.html#screening_dates|work=Berlinale|date=February 6, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024}}

It was released theatrically on February 22, 2024, in South Korea by Showbox Co., Ltd.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘' 2월 22일 개봉 확정...최민식→이도현 미스터리 분위기 [공식]|trans-title='Pamyo' confirmed to be released on February 22nd... Choi Min-sik → Lee Do-hyun Mystery Atmosphere [Official]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/109/0005003851|work={{ill|Osen (newspaper)|ko|OSEN|lt=OSEN}}|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Kim Bo-ra|date=January 23, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}

The film was first screened at the 48th Hong Kong International Film Festival on April 7, 2024, in Gala presentations.{{Cite news|title=Hong Kong Film Festival to Open With Ray Yeung's 'All Shall Be Well,' Close With Japanese Charmer 'All the Long Nights'|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/hong-kong-film-festival-ray-yeung-all-shall-be-well-1235934840/|work=Variety|language=en|author=Patrick Frater|date=March 8, 2024|access-date=March 9, 2024}}{{cite web|title=Exhuma|url=https://www.hkiff.org.hk/film/getdetail?fid=2503|work=HKIFF|date=March 6, 2024|access-date=March 10, 2024}}

It was released in India on May 3, 2024.{{Cite web|title=South Korean blockbuster Exhuma to release in India on May 3; watch trailer here|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/south-korean-blockbuster-exhuma-to-release-in-india-on-may-3-watch-trailer-here/cid/2015199|website=The Telegraph (India)|language=en|last=Niyogi|first=Agnivo|date=April 23, 2024|access-date=April 29, 2024}}

It was released on Shudder on June 14 (United States and Canada).{{Cite web|title=7 Best New Movies on Shudder in June 2024|url=https://www.cinemablind.com/new-on-shudder-2/|website=CinemaBlind|language=en-US|last=Singh|first=Kulwant|date=May 29, 2024|access-date=May 29, 2024}}

The theatrical release date in the MENA region is June 13, 2024, distributed by The Plot Pictures MENA.

The film was showcased in 'Prime Picks' at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival on July 20, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2024/06/30/korean-hit-films-screened-free-via-nyaff-and-korean-cultural-center/ |title= Korean Hit Films Screened Free Via NYAFF And Korean Cultural Center|first= Joan|last= MacDonald |date= June 30, 2024|access-date=July 21, 2024 |website= Forbes |language=en}} It competed in the 57th Sitges Film Festival in the 'Oficial Fantàstic Competició' section{{cite web|url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/noticies/sitges2024-completes-its-constellation-worlds-best-fantastic-genre|title=Sitges2024 Completes its Constellation of the World's Best Fantastic Genre|website=Sitges Film Festival|date=10 September 2024|access-date=17 September 2024}} and won Special Jury Award.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/john-lithgow-geoffrey-rush-sitges-film-festival-1236176292/ |title= John Lithgow, Geoffrey Rush and Kristine Froseth Win Acting Awards at Spain's 57th Sitges Film Festival |author= Anna Marie De La Fuente |work= Variety|date= October 13, 2024 |access-date= October 14, 2024 |language=en}} It was screened in the festival on 4 October 2024.{{cite web|url=https://sitgesfilmfestival.com/en/film/2024/exhuma|title= Exhuma|website=Sitges Film Festival|date=10 September 2024|access-date=14 October 2024}}

The film includes scenes that are critical of the Japanese occupation of Korea, with the unearthing of the curse being linked to the unearthing of Korea's past.{{cite news|title=Relations between Japan and South Korea are blossoming|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/03/18/relations-between-japan-and-south-korea-are-blossoming|newspaper=The Economist|date=March 18, 2024|access-date=March 19, 2024}}

The film was released on February 22, 2024, on 2,086 screens.{{Cite web|title=Exhuma, 2024 at KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Korean films|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20234675|work=KOFIC|access-date=March 23, 2024}} On its opening day, the film finished in first place at the South Korean box office with 336,114 admissions and a gross of {{USD|2,369,404}},{{cite web|title=2024 . 02 . 22（목） 박스오피스 (Daily box office)|url=https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findDailyBoxOfficeList.do|work=KOBIS|language=ko|access-date=February 23, 2024}} breaking the highest opening score for a film released in 2024 in South Korea so far.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘' 첫날 33만 관객 1위...'서울의 봄'도 넘었다|trans-title='Pamyo' ranked first with 330,000 viewers on the first day... 'Spring in Seoul' has passed|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/079/0003866778|work=CBS Nocut News|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Lee Jin-wook|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2024}} The film topped the South Korean weekend box office in its opening weekend, grossing {{USD|14,455,880}} from 1,963,577 admissions.{{cite web|title=South Korea Box Office February 23 - February 25, 2024|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Weekly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_WEEKLY&startYMD=20240218&endYMD=20240225&searchFrom=7th&searchTo=8th&week=Weekend&category=ALL&country=ALL|work=KOFIC|access-date=February 26, 2024}} On February 25, the fourth day of its release, the film exceeded 2 million admissions,{{cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘'의 신명나는 200만 돌파...'항일 오컬트' 극장가 通했다 [MD포커스]|trans-title=Exciting 'Pamyo' surpasses 2 million... 'Anti-Japanese Occult' closed in theaters [MD Focus]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/117/0003808799|work={{ill|MyDaily|ko|마이데일리}}|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Kang Da-yoon|date=February 26, 2024|access-date=February 26, 2024}} and on February 28, the seventh day, it crossed 3 million admissions.{{cite web|script-title=ko:'파묘' 7일째 300만 돌파..벌써 손익분기점 다 왔다[박스오피스]|trans-title='Breakdown' surpasses 3 million in 7 days... Already at break-even point [Box Office]|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/609/0000828026|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Bae Hyo-joo|date=February 28, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024}} On March 2, the 10th day it surpassed 5 million viewers.{{cite web|script-title=ko:미친 속도 '파묘' 500만 관객 돌파, 소름 유발 스페셜 포스터|trans-title=Crazy Speed 'Bamyo' exceeds 5 million viewers, goosebumps-inducing special poster|url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/609/0000829190|work=Newsen|publisher=Naver|language=ko|author=Lee Min-ji|date=March 2, 2024|access-date=March 2, 2024}} On March 10, it became the highest performing Korean occult film with 8 million viewers.{{cite news|script-title=ko:"실수로 대중영화 됐다"...16일 만에 '파묘'에 벌어진 일|trans-title="It accidentally became a popular movie"... What happened to 'Pamyo' in 16 days?|url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25234096#home|work=JoongAng Ilbo|language=ko|last=Na|first=Won-jong|date=March 10, 2024}} Exhuma on March 24 became the first Korean film of 2024 to surpass 10 million in ticket sales, on its 32nd day in theaters, according to Showbox.{{cite news|title='Exhuma' first movie this year to attract 10m moviegoers|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240324050106|publisher=The Korea Herald|last1=Lee|first1=Yoon-seo|date=March 24, 2024|access-date=March 24, 2024}}{{cite web|title='Exhuma' tops landmark 10 million admissions in South Korea|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/exhuma-tops-landmark-10-million-admissions-in-south-korea/5191885.article|website=ScreenDaily|language=en|last=Rosser|first=Michael|date=March 25, 2024|access-date=April 4, 2024}}

{{As of|2024|5|15|df=US}}, the film has grossed {{USD|84,095,030}} from 11,902,097 admissions, making it the highest grossing South Korean film of 2024.{{Cite web|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2024|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2024&category=ALL&country=K|work=KOFIC|access-date=May 15, 2024}}

The film has grossed $97,602,124 worldwide as per Box Office Mojo.{{Cite Box Office Mojo|title=Exhuma|access-date=June 27, 2024|id=27802490}} It has recorded more than 2.23 million moviegoers in Vietnam as of March 31, and became the most successful Korean Film there, beating record of 2.15 million of 6/45 a 2022 comedy film. It is also the most successful Korean film in Indonesia, recording 2.3 million admissions by March 31.{{cite web|title='Exhuma' Becomes Most Successful Korean Film In Vietnam|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/exhuma-most-successful-korea-film-vietnam-indonesia-1235873712/|website=Deadline|language=en|last=Merican|first=Sara|date=April 2, 2024|access-date=April 29, 2024}}

Exhuma was received well by critics. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 93% and an average rating of 7.6/10, based on 40 reviews.{{cite web|title=Exhuma|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/exhuma|work=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango|access-date=June 7, 2024}}

Lee Yoon-seo writing for The Korea Herald praised the performance of the cast writing, "the veteran cast puts in a strong performance to add to the immersive experience" and stated that "Exhuma consists of Jang's careful efforts to deliver super-realistic, detailed scenes depicting Korean shamanism - such as the traditional process of exhumation and "gut" rituals held to appease wandering spirits". Lee felt that these "are so realistically portrayed, that the film achieves a new level of horror". Concluding it that "however, despite the fine acting and attention to detail, Exhuma stumbles in unfolding its plot."{{Cite web|title=[Herald Review] 'Exhuma' brings horror with shamanism, but fails to connect stories|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240222050525|work=The Korea Herald|author=Lee Yoon-seo|date=February 22, 2024|access-date=February 22, 2024}}

Critics of Cine21 gave the movie generally favorable reviews. Lee Yong-cheol rated the movie 4 out of 5 stars, writing that it is a well-made genre movie with great meaning.{{Cite news|script-title=ko:[리뷰] '파묘', 미신과 사기 따위는 안중에도 없는 진짜 전문가 영화|trans-title=[Review] 'Exhuma', a real professional film that doesn't even care about superstition and fraud|url=http://cine21.com/news//view/?mag_id=104553|work=Cine21|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Woo-bin|date=February 28, 2024}}

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rated the film 4/5 and called it, "A fun horror with a lot on its mind." Navarro wrote, "Jae-hyun Jang combines introspective cultural and historical themes with creepy, gory, and atmospheric horror thrills in an exciting way."{{Cite web|title=MOVIES'Exhuma' Review – South Korea's Box Office Hit is a Fun Folk Horror Surprise|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3805276/exhuma-review-south-korea-folk-horror-fun/|work=Bloody Disgusting|author=Meagan Navarro|date=March 21, 2024|access-date=April 29, 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{KMDb movie}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{HanCinema film}}
• [https://www.berlinale.de/en/2024/programme/202409500.html Exhuma] at Berlinale

Category:2020s Korean-language films

Category:2020s mystery thriller films

Category:2020s South Korean films

Category:2020s supernatural horror films

Category:2024 horror thriller films

Category:2024 films

Category:Films directed by Jang Jae-hyun

Category:Showbox films

Category:South Korean horror thriller films

Category:South Korean mystery thriller films

Category:South Korean supernatural horror films