Review of Exhuma, Korean Horror/Mystery movie, 2024
Exhuma: A Dive into Korean Horror (Spoiler Alert!)
Have you finally watched the most talked-about Korean horror/mystery film, Exhuma? Starring Kim Go Eun, Lee Do Hyun, Choi Min Shik, and Yoo Hai Jin, the movie promises a chilling experience. But be warned, spoilers lie ahead!
First-time viewers and those unfamiliar with Korean shamanism and Taoism might find Exhuma a bit confusing. The film throws viewers headfirst into the story, assuming prior knowledge of these cultural elements. Characters readily converse about ghosts, exhumes, and possessing spirits, leaving some viewers scrambling to catch up.
Exhuma unfolds in two distinct arcs. The first deals with the exhumation of a wealthy Park family’s grandfather, who has become a vengeful spirit tormenting his descendants. The second arc revolves around a hidden casket discovered beneath his grave.
Arc 1, while suspenseful, has some loose ends that are later explained. The Parks’ reluctance to open the coffin is eventually revealed: their grandfather was a traitor during the Korean-Japanese war, and opening the grave would tarnish their reputation. But why is the grandfather so angry?
The answer lies in his unusual burial site. A Japanese Gisune (Fox shaman), chose the land to strategically block Korean energy with metal rods during the war. The Japanese Shaman suspected a group of Korean geomancy masters (punsu) might try to disrupt this, so he had the Parks purchase the land and bury their ancestor there. While these “grave robbers” failed to find anything at the time, their research becomes crucial later.
The grandfather’s anger stems from his restless burial site filled with negative energy and the neglect of his descendants. Arc 1 concludes with the vengeful spirit claiming two lives and attempting to harm a newborn baby. However, Hye Rim and her team manage to banish him by cremating his remains (coffin).
Arc 2 begins with a seemingly insignificant event: a grave digger killing a snake inside the tomb. This seemingly random act disrupts the balance of elements — Ying Yang — a core concept in Taoism and geomancy. The snake (nure onna), symbolizing water, was part of a five-element seal (snake being symbol of water, earth is earth, wood is coffin, fire, and metal is in the samurai) keeping a hidden casket locked. With the snake killed, the seal breaks, and the unusual, vertically-buried casket is revealed.
This anima (monster/ghost) is no ordinary spirit. Powerful and to get a vessel he possesses Bong Gil. Here, the movie might feel a bit confusing as the narrative unfolds alongside the consequences of certain actions.
Through the research of previous “grave robbers,” Kim Sang Deok discovers the opposing elements — fire vs. water, metal vs. wood. Based on this knowledge, Hye Rim tries to lure the anima towards an old tree, but the plan fails. The anima realizes Hye Rim is human and returns to the original burial site, attacking Kim Sang Deok for his liver. In a shocking twist, Kim Sang Deok sees the reflection of how the anima was made in his eyes. This revelation connects back to the cunning Gisune who strategically buried the samurai with his sword and helmet, essentially turning him into the iron rod.
Hye Rim and her team save Kim Sang Deok by throwing horse blood on him. This creates an opportunity for Kim Sang Deok to exploit the opposing elements. He uses a blood-soaked wooden digging tool (wood) to counteract the burning metal essence of the anima, ultimately destroying it.
The ending leaves room for interpretation. While everyone survives, the experience seems to have left an indelible mark on them. Did the physical form of the ghost disappear, or does a lingering darkness cling to them forever?
Overall Rating: 8/10
Story: 6/10 While suspenseful, the movie throws viewers into the deep end, assuming knowledge of Korean cultural elements.
Cinematography: 9/10 Visually stunning, the film creates a chilling atmosphere.
Acting: 10/10 The performances are top-notch, especially Choi Min Shik.
Final Thoughts: Exhuma is a visually impressive film with a strong cast. However, the plot’s reliance on cultural knowledge might leave some viewers confused. If you’re familiar with Korean shamanism and Taoism, or enjoy deciphering complex narratives, this movie is worth a watch.
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