Bigger Isn’t Better, and Squid Game Star’s New Alien Movie Proves It

Neon’s newest sci-fi movie with Squid Game star Jung Ho-yeon proves why alien films don’t necessarily need to be bigger in scale in order to deliver epic sci-fi stories. The recently released trailer for Neon‘s upcoming Hope movie offers the audience a glimpse of one of this year’s wildest alien films, promising an intense, contained spectacle.

Hope is written and directed by South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin, who’s best known for his acclaimed 2016 horror film The Wailing. The movie also stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and Lee Kyu-hyung, along with Hollywood stars Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton. Ahead of its theatrical release on September 9, the movie had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it also competed for the Palme d’Or Award. So far, it already has an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 40 reviews.

Why Hope proves a remote village can be more compelling than a global alien invasion

I believe that one of Hope’s major highlights is the story’s setting. Placing the alien invasion story in a remote, isolated fishing village is a unique and clever choice that allows the film to stand out among this year’s alien movies such as Project Hail Mary and Disclosure Day. Unlike your usual global-scale invasion and disaster movie tropes, the film subverts expectations by masterfully blending multiple genres to create a humane and grounded but thrilling, action-packed survival story.

Because of its location, the film centers around a small, tight-knit community of residents who must rely on their resourcefulness and grit. This would allow the audience to connect with the characters more, making it a compelling viewing experience. The movie’s recent trailer also does a good job of building up its crazy, fast-paced monster sequences that effectively make the audience feel the characters’ gripping paranoia and fear. It’s even more interesting when the village is also located against a fortified Demilitarized Zone. This significant detail definitely added another layer of intensity to the characters’ high-stakes situation.

Overall, Neon’s upcoming Hope movie is something everyone should watch out for. With its intriguing premise and intense trailer, it’s exciting to see how the film’s stellar cast will deliver director Na Hong-jin’s vision. I’m also interested in seeing how Vikander and Fassbender portrayed the film’s alien creatures, who looked absolutely insane and terrifying from the trailer.