Exhuma Movie Review: An effective horror film steeped in myth, legends, and realism

The first half of Exhuma is only a slight cut above your standard horror film. However, Jae-Hyun’s world-building instantly draws you into the mystical world with a blend of silence and atmospherics, as well as minimal use of horror tropes such as jump scares and “It’s all just a dream” moments. Gradually, the film immerses us in its world steeped in Korea’s tumultuous past, especially its once-simmering tensions with Japan, and culture. It is only when the second half begins that we even realise the depth of Jae-hyun’s screenplay. Take one of the central characters of Exhuma, for instance. He is the spirit of a soldier with haunting ties to the Japanese invasions of Korea. The constant weariness that the Korean characters show towards any reference to Japan, including the spirit, mirrors the complicated relationship between these two neighbouring nations. Ardent horror fans are sure to celebrate and treasure the constant juxtaposition between the Imjin War imagery and the horror sequences in the film. It seamlessly weaves in a brief history of greedy grave robbers in Korea, even amidst the shamanic rituals aimed at appeasing the vengeful spirit. Amazingly, it does not digress from the main plot, despite the multifaceted storytelling. Watching Exhuma often means flipping through pages of an ancient chapter of history steeped in folklore, myth, and realism.

It is fascinating how the film works both as a cultural and socio-political allegory and as a horror feature, even as it retains a subtle sense of humour. A horror film rarely offers such a balanced mix of emotions. A nerve-racking cinematic experience rooted in ancient culture and history that does not shy away from humour is a rarity. While the pre-interval portions hint at its world of fantasy with an element of gore, the second half also shows how grounded it is in realism. For example, the use of a real Buddhist tattoo at a pivotal plot point brings out the biggest laughs you will have from any horror film.