Exhuma (2024), directed by Jang Jae-hyun, is a Korean supernatural horror film that masterfully blends folklore, spiritualism, and human greed into a chilling cinematic experience. The story follows a shaman, a geomancer and a mortician who are called to exhumate an ancestral grave that carries a dark curse. What begins as a spiritual ritual soon unravels into a disturbing confrontation with buried sins and historical trauma, blurring the lines between the living and the dead.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere. Every frame feels drenched in mystery and tension, enhanced by haunting sound design and stunning cinematography that captures both the beauty and terror of Korean funerary rituals. The production design feels authentic, immersing viewers in a world where ancient beliefs still linger beneath modern society. This commitment to cultural detail gives Exhuma a unique identity among recent horror releases.
The performances are uniformly strong. Kim Go-eun delivers a nuanced portrayal of a young shaman torn between faith and fear, while Choi Min-sik brings depth to his role as a seasoned geomancer burdened by wisdom. Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Do-hyun round out the cast with grounded performances that balance superstition and skepticism. Together, they create a believable team whose chemistry heightens the film’s emotional core.
The film’s pacing can feel uneven, particularly in the second half where multiple subplots compete for attention. Its 134-minute runtime occasionally stretches the tension thin, and some viewers may find the story’s complexity overwhelming. Despite these issues, the movie’s ambition and craftsmanship keep it engaging throughout.
Ultimately, Exhuma stands as a powerful entry in the Korean horror canon, one that uses folklore not just for scares, but to explore themes of ancestry, guilt, and the unseen forces that shape human fate. It’s a visually arresting, thematically rich film that rewards patience and cultural curiosity. For those who appreciate slow-burning horror with substance, Exhuma is a must-watch.
Best Lines & Quotes – Exhuma (2024)
“Graves keep secrets long after the living forget.”
“You don’t move a body without waking what came before us.”
“Rituals are promises — break them, and the debt comes due.”
“The land remembers; it never forgives.”
“We dug for money, but we exhumed a history that wanted justice.”
“An ancestor’s anger is colder than any winter.”
“Faith is a tool and a weapon — choose how you use it.”
“Some stones should stay buried; some names should never be spoken aloud.”
“You cannot relocate a sin by moving a coffin.”
“When the dead speak, the living must answer.”
“We thought we were exhuming bones; we unearthed intentions.”
“There is a border between the past and present — and we just crossed it.”
